Dr. Gregory A. Curt received his M.D. with distinction in research from the University of Rochester School of Medicine in 1977. He subsequently completed his training in internal medicine as an intern and resident at the New England Deaconess Hospital and as a Research Fellow at the Peter Bent Brigham Hospital, Harvard Medical School.
Dr. Curt's training in Medical Oncology was completed in the NCI's Medicine Branch from 1980-1983, following which he coordinated the intramural NCI Phase I Cancer Drug Development Program. At this time, he performed the original testing of novel agents directed at high grade glioma (brain tumors) as well as Phase 1 clinical trials. His basic research explored the molecular mechanisms of drug resistance in cancer cells. Dr. Curt served as deputy director of NCI’s Division of Cancer Treatment from 1985-1988, overseeing the Division’s extramural research grant and contract portfolios. He was appointed Clinical Director of the National Cancer Institute in 1989.
During his years as clinical director, Dr. Curt led the intramural program at NCI increasingly towards translational research involving new therapeutic modalities including anti-cancer drugs, immunotoxins, and vaccines. He was awarded the Outstanding Service Medal of the U.S. Public Health Service in 1992.
Dr. Curt joined AstraZeneca Oncology in 2002 as Senior Director and Alliance Manager for the National Institutes of Health. Under his leadership, AstraZeneca has forged important new partnerships with NIH in cancer drug development and cancer prevention and treatment. He is now US Medical Science Lead for Emerging Products, AstraZeneca Oncology and in the lead clinical for US Strategic Alliances.
Dr. Curt is chairman of the Life Sciences Consortium Task Force of the CEO Roundtable.