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Eugene Zhukovsky

Orion Corporation (United Kingdom), ZM Scientific Consulting SNC, Brandeis University, IGI Therapeutics S.A.

ORCID iD 0000-0003-1822-8946
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About

Dr. Zhukovsky has over three decades of international experience in the research and development of novel immune-oncology therapies. His background encompasses expertise in discovery, antibody engineering, and translational sciences, including the construction of drug discovery platforms and novel multi-specific antibody technologies for cancer immunotherapy. His work emphasizes leveraging the biology of various immune cell redirecting antibodies and immune checkpoint modulators. Over the past 15 years, he has served as Chief Scientific Officer for numerous US and European biotech companies, showcasing a breadth of leadership experience.

Dr. Zhukovsky currently serves as the VP and Site Head of Orion Biologics R&D Center in Cambridge, UK. At Orion, he is tasked with establishing this new Biologics R&D Center within Cambridge's vibrant biomedical ecosystem. This site is poised to become a central piece in Orion Pharma's long-term vision of expansion into biologics modalities.

Dr. Zhukovsky is also a co-founder and partner at ZM Scientific, a consultancy firm that advises biotech, pharma, startups, and Venture Capital (VC) firms. His consultancy focuses on providing strategic guidance, due diligence, and discovery research for the identification and development of immunotherapeutics based on optimized and multispecific antibodies (Immune Cell Engagers, Immune Checkpoint Modulators, etc.).

Previously, Dr. Zhukovsky was the CSO of IGI Therapeutics and the Site Head of their Research Center in Switzerland. At IGI, he applied innovative bi- and tri-specific antibody technologies to develop cancer immunotherapeutics. Dr. Zhukovsky has since transitioned from overseeing everyday research operations to serving on the company's Scientific Advisory Board (SAB). Prior to that, he served as the CTO at GO Therapeutics, where he established a T Cell Engagement platform to leverage the company’s cancer cell-targeting antibodies. He also served as the CSO at Biomunex Pharmaceuticals, where he concentrated on developing immunotherapies based on checkpoint inhibitors and T cell engagers, utilizing their bispecific antibody platform. As the CSO at Affimed, he spearheaded the optimization of their T and NK cell engager platforms and drove candidates from discovery through clinical development. At Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Dr. Zhukovsky was a Senior Research Fellow, leading antibody discovery efforts and contributing to the research program that, after licensing to a partner, received marketing authorization as Skyrizi®/risankizumab. At Xencor, Dr. Zhukovsky conceived and led an Fc-optimized anti-CD19 program, which was subsequently licensed for clinical development and received market authorization as Monjuvi®/tafasitamab. Dr. Zhukovsky began his professional career employing phage display technology at Neurex Corporation before moving to Lynx Therapeutics (now Illumina, Inc.) to focus on the development of genomics technologies.

Dr. Zhukovsky has authored numerous scientific articles and is listed as a co-inventor on more than 15 granted patents and applications. He performed a postdoctoral fellowship at Genentech, Inc. He received a PhD in biochemistry from Brandeis University.

Employment

  • Orion Corporation (United Kingdom) Vice President (VP) and Site Head (Cambridge, UK)
    2025 - Present
  • ZM Scientific Consulting SNC Co-Founder and Partner
    2024 - Present
  • IGI Therapeutics S.A. Chief Scientific Officer (CSO) and Site Head (Lausanne, CH)
    2022 - 2024
  • Biomunex Pharmaceuticals SA Chief Technology Officer (CTO)
    2021 - 2022
  • ZM Scientific LLC Co-Founder and Partner
    2017 - 2022
  • Biomunex Pharmaceuticals SA Chief Scientific Officer (CSO)
    2015 - 2021
  • Affimed Therapeutics (Germany) Chief Scientific Officer (CSO)
    2011 - 2015
  • Boehringer Ingelheim (United States) Sr. Research Fellow
    2009 - 2011
  • Xencor (United States) Associate Director
    2002 - 2008
  • Lynx Therapeutics, Inc. Sr. Scientist and Project Leader
    1996 - 2001
  • Neurex Corporation Staff Scientist
    1995 - 1996
  • Genentech Postdoc
    1991 - 1995

Education

  • Brandeis University PhD

Projects & Funding

Projects & funding information is unavailable.

Publications (31)