Addressing health inequities in lupus research and improving clinical research awareness and engagement, particularly among people of color who are underrepresented in clinical research, has been a major focus of Mr. Roy who has worked to introduce several novel programs.
LRA Board Co-Chairman Richard DeScherer added, "Al was unanimously selected after an exhaustive search and discussions about the organization's needs with many individuals including trustees, senior staff, and members of LRA's Scientific Advisory Board. From a clinical research, business, and community-needs perspective, Al brings a unique complement of skills necessary to propel the Lupus Research Alliance forward."
Before joining Lupus Therapeutics, Mr. Roy was Vice President of Operations and Research Programs at CureSearch for Children's Cancer, a multi-million-dollar public charity whose mission is to support innovative children's cancer research. During his tenure there, he managed a clinical research portfolio exceeding $50 million per year and coordinated Children's Oncology Group through strategic partnerships with more than 200 academic medical centers. Mr. Roy holds a Master of Business Administration degree from Johns Hopkins University and a Bachelor of Arts in Biology from Ithaca College.
"I am honored and privileged to serve as the next President & CEO of the Lupus Research Alliance (LRA), an organization at the forefront of many of today's biggest breakthroughs in lupus. As more discoveries move into clinical research, it is imperative that the Lupus Research Alliance dedicate greater resources to the education and engagement of the patient community on the key role they play in the research process," said Mr. Roy.
"With the rapid evolution of science and technology coupled with the passion of our lupus community, we are poised to achieve a new, even higher trajectory of acceleration in addressing unmet medical needs and one day, eradicating lupus," continued Mr. Roy.
Mr. Roy's predecessor Kenneth Farber has been a major driving force in the lupus arena for more than two decades, guiding the Lupus Research Alliance as it has supported the discovery of many compounds that led to new treatments now approved or currently in development for lupus. Under his stewardship, the Lupus Research Alliance was formed from the merger of three leading lupus organizations, bringing the full continuum of research from foundational through clinical under one umbrella and becoming the largest nongovernmental private funder of lupus research worldwide. Mr. Farber will continue to consult with the organization.
Albert Roy will continue to lead Lupus Therapeutics until a new executive director is appointed.
Source: Lupus Research Alliance
