WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--SHEPHERD and its founder David Hysong today announced it has named Catharine Young, Ph.D., as the Executive Director of the SHEPHERD Foundation. SHEPHERD was founded to fill the gaps facing the rare cancer system, and to place the focus back on the patient. SHEPHERD Therapeutics’ mission is to discover, develop and connect lifesaving cures for rare cancer patients with technology that could save millions of lives. The SHEPHERD Foundation aims to challenge the cancer system in order to better meet the needs of patients. In her role, Young will focus on developing resources to guide, educate and advocate for rare cancer patients, including ensuring equal access to life-saving treatments.
Young was previously the Senior Director of Science Policy at the Biden Cancer Initiative (BCI), leading efforts to bring together the biotech, technology, science, and academic fields to drive innovative solutions and breakthroughs against cancer. Prior to BCI, Young served as the Senior Science and Innovation Policy Advisor and Head of the DC team for the Foreign Ministry of the UK. Following her Postdoctoral training at Cornell University in Biomedical Engineering, Catharine was selected as an American Association for the Advancement of Science, Science and Technology Policy Fellow in the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Nuclear, Chemical, and Biological Defense Programs.
“Rare cancers are anything but rare. With the launch of the Foundation and Dr. Catharine Young at the helm, we are poised to provide a comprehensive approach to saving as many lives as possible,” said Hysong, SHEPHERD founder, CEO and a rare cancer survivor.
Viewing cancer as the most bipartisan topic of our day, Young hopes to develop initiatives that will galvanize the rare cancer community by serving as a platform for those working on rare cancer, transform healthcare policy and accelerate the development of new therapeutic options.
“I am honored to join the team at SHEPHERD and share their deep commitment to revolutionizing the rare cancer patient’s journey. Our goal is to become a beacon of light for rare cancer patients, their families and their support system as they navigate their diagnosis and treatment options,” said Young.
ABOUT SHEPHERD
SHEPHERD’s mission is simple: make the drugs other companies won’t make to save lives others aren’t saving. For the millions of rare cancer patients without treatment options, we are committed to finding, creating, and putting lifesaving next-generation therapies into the hands of every single patient. SHEPHERD Therapeutics is focused on discovering, developing and connecting lifesaving cures for rare cancer patients with technology that could save millions of lives. The SHEPHERD Foundation is a 501(c)(3) activating industry-wide change at the government level, writing transformative healthcare policy, and funding traditionally unprofitable treatments. Learn more about SHEPHERD at SHEPHERD.bio.
