Refusing to give up on an Oncology Breakthrough | Dana T. Aftab, Exelixis

In this episode of the Nucleate Podcast, Dana Aftab, Executive Vice President, R&D at Exelixis, shares his journey to becoming a leader in drug discovery and what he’s learned along the way. It all began in the homeroom of eighth grade, when a video ignited a passion for biology that would lead him to pursue a Ph.D. in pharmacology at Yale and a defining career in cancer therapeutics. He delves into the different research and drug development projects he’s been a part of, including early breakthroughs in high throughput screening, challenges in clinical trials, and the success behind Exelixis’ lead therapy.

Since his time in academia, Dana has taken on strong leadership roles from guiding undergraduates to serving as Chief Scientific Officer and eventually head of R&D at Exelixis. He explains the qualities good managers should have, why clear communication matters most in the hardest moments, and how he navigated the company’s restructuring before helping rebuild the team back stronger. He provides advice for founders on the importance of creating a compelling narrative and staying firm when navigating the uncertainties of the biotech industry.