Innovations in Pharmaceutical Sciences Seminar Series
PB-850

Mark R. Kelley, PhD

Mark R. Kelley, PhD, is the Betty and Earl Herr Chair and Professor in Pediatric Oncology Research and Professor of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, and Pharmacology and Professor of Ophthalmology at Indiana University School of Medicine. He serves as Senior Leader for Biomedical Innovation and Partnership at the IU Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, Director of the Program in Molecular Oncology and Experimental Therapeutics, and Co-Director of the Cancer Drug Discovery and Development Accelerator.

In December 2024, Dr. Kelley was named a Fellow of the National Academy of Inventors (NAI) for the Class of 2025, the highest professional distinction awarded to academic inventors. He was also elected Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) in 2022.

Dr. Kelley pioneered research on the APE1/Ref-1 enzyme, establishing it as a therapeutic target for cancers (pancreatic, pediatric sarcomas, colon, bladder), diabetic retinopathy, inflammatory bowel disease, and other conditions. As Chief Scientific Officer and Co-Founder of Apexian Pharmaceuticals, he advanced APX3330, a first-in-class oral therapeutic, through Phase I oncology trials and Phase II trials in diabetic retinopathy. The FDA has agreed on a Special Protocol Assessment for Phase III trials in diabetic retinopathy, positioning APX3330 as the potential first oral treatment for over 8 million Americans with this sight-threatening disease. Additional near-term endeavors focus on advancing next-generation APE1/Ref-1 inhibitors into the clinic for cancer, Ulcerative Colitis, and Crohn’s Disease.

Dr. Kelley holds 24 U.S. and international patents and has published over 209 peer-reviewed articles with an h-index of 80. His honors include the Glenn W. Irwin, Jr., MD, Research Scholar Award, Bantz-Petronio Translating Research into Practice Award, and Merv Yoder Mentoring Award. He leads the NCI T32 training program for Pediatric and Adult Drug Discovery and Development and is highly dedicated to mentoring students, fellows and faculty. Dr. Kelley earned his B.A. from DePauw University, M.S. and Ph.D. from Louisiana State University, and completed postdoctoral training at The Rockefeller University under 2017 Nobel Prize winner Dr. Michael W. Young.