About

Robert Andtbacka is the Chief Medical Officer at HiFiBiO Therapeutics, bringing over 20 years of experience in clinical research and drug development. He is a renowned clinician scientist and tenured professor of surgical oncology, with a focus on melanoma, oncolytic immunotherapy, and Toll-like Receptor agonists. With more than 80 peer-reviewed articles, 150 abstracts, and 4 book chapters, Robert is a globally recognized expert in his field.

Previously, as the Chief Medical Officer at Seven and Eight Biopharmaceuticals, Robert led the clinical development of innovative intravenously delivered dual agonists for Toll-like Receptor 7 and 8 (TLR 7/8), TLR 7/8-antibody drug conjugates, and oncolytic viruses. His leadership resulted in the acquisition of groundbreaking TLR7/8 assets by Eikon Therapeutics.

Before joining Seven and Eight Biopharma, Robert served as Co-Director of the Melanoma and Cutaneous Oncology Program and Director of the Melanoma Clinical Research Program at the Huntsman Cancer Institute. He established a comprehensive surgical and clinical research program, conducting over 50 clinical trials and leading the OPTiM Phase III trial that led to FDA and EMA approval of talimogene laherparepvec (T-VEC), the first oncolytic virus in its class. He was also the Chief Medical Officer for Vestan Medical Imaging, where he led preclinical and clinical development.

Robert obtained his B.Sc. (Honors) in Biochemistry from McGill University, followed by medical training and a residency in General Surgery. He completed a fellowship in Surgical Oncology at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. He is a board-certified surgeon, a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons (FACS), and a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of Canada (FRCSC).