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Scientific Founder, President, and CEO, BlossomHill Therapeutics

J. Jean Cui has shown herself to be the epitome of a visionary scientist and accomplished business leader by combining a knack for therapeutic innovation with entrepreneurial expertise to design drugs and progress them to patients in need. She has pioneered numerous clinical compounds (three of which are on the market today) including Augtyro, Xalkori, and Lorbrena. 

With more than 25 years of experience in the industry, including as senior principal scientist and associate research fellow at Pfizer, as well as founding and serving as Chief Scientific Officer and Board Member of Turning Point Therapeutics (acquired by BMS in 2022 for $4.1 billion), J. Jean Cui now leads BlossomHill Therapeutics, where she hopes to develop small molecules to solve oncology treatment resistance and exponentially improve the life expectancy of and quality of life for cancer patients. She was elected as a Member of the National Academy of Engineering for 2024, and since 2011, she has won a National Inventor of the Year Award; a second Pfizer Worldwide R&D Achievement Award; a second Heroes of Chemistry Award from ACS; the Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award from her PhD alma mater; a San Diego BioPharma Achievement Award from SABPA in recognition of her outstanding contributions to San Diego biotech industry; a Distinguished Scientist Award by American Chemical Society San Diego Section; and the inaugural CABS K. Fong Award in Life Sciences. 

“Being the person responsible for designing the molecules that become new medicines for patients is an amazing career. Using the accumulation of biology and chemistry knowledge, I am inspired to work in drug development and serve as a bridge between basic science and the treatment of patients through the creation of new molecules that address the root cause of disease.”

We asked…

What is the biggest challenge facing the field right now?

We need to continue investing in basic science. Without a full understanding of the causes behind disease, we cannot advance the discovery of new medicines and cure or treat diseases.