| Dr. Garo Armen is the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Agenus Inc., a biotechnology company he co-founded in 1994, focused on pioneering immunotherapies to fight cancer. One of Agenus’ most groundbreaking achievements is the development of the BOT/BAL combination therapy, which has demonstrated remarkable success in difficult-to-treat cancers, including metastatic colorectal cancer, reawakening the immune system’s natural ability to fight cancer.
Dr. Armen is also the Chairman of Mink Therapeutics, which is developing novel cell therapies that modulate immune responses, holding promise for treating both cancer and a range of immune disorders. He has made significant contributions to corporate leadership, having spearheaded the restructuring of Elan Corporation, plc, guiding the company through a critical period that ultimately saved it from collapse. He also serves as the Executive Chairman of Protagenic Therapeutics, a company focused on therapies for neurological and metabolic disorders. Dr. Armen founded the Children of Armenia Fund (COAF) in 2003, with a vision to revitalize rural Armenia. Through grassroots initiatives, COAF has implemented over $100 million worth of projects, dramatically improving education, healthcare, and social programs across more than 100 villages. Dr. Armen began his career at Brookhaven National Laboratory after earning his Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry from the City University of New York. He later transitioned to Wall Street, where he founded Armen Partners, a firm specializing in healthcare investments, resulting in key industry mergers including the union of Immunex Corporation and Lederle Oncology. His accolades include the Ellis Island Medal of Honor, the Humanitarian Award from the Sabin Vaccine Institute, and the Medal of Honor from the Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia. Born in Istanbul, Turkey, in 1953, Dr. Armen moved to the United States in 1970, where his career has spanned scientific innovation, corporate leadership, and philanthropy. |
