GSK’s Head of Precision Medicine on Biomarker Focus and the Use of Next-Generation Technologies
Dr Anne-Marie Martin, SVP Precision Medicine, R&D at GSK tells us how cutting-edge technologies are helping her team identify meaningful, predictive biomarkers, about the modalities she’s tracking and – more importantly –explains how these advances will impact patients.
What work are you leading at GSK as SVP and Global Head of Precision Medicine in R&D?
Our purpose is to identify the right patient for the right medicine or vaccine at the right dose and the right time. At GSK, Precision Medicine encompasses clinical biomarkers, diagnostics and clinical pharmacology and we focus on delivering end-to-end precision medicine solutions that incorporate all those aspects for R&D.
This holistic approach enables us to apply a standardized methodology to establish precision principles across clinical development. We actively collaborate with research, medical and commercial teams to integrate insights and data to inform strategy that will deliver meaningful outcomes for patients.
"We’re leveraging information already available within GSK and in the literature, while conducting new research to test and understand the relevance of different biomarkers."
What is your primary immuno-oncology focus?
Identifying reliable and predictive biomarkers remains a pivotal focus in immuno-oncology. As such, we’re leveraging information already available within GSK and in the literature, while conducting new research to test and understand the relevance of different biomarkers. This includes examining biomarkers expressed on the surface of tumours and interrogating the tumour microenvironment to understand different cellular phenotypes that are associated with efficacy or resistance to the medicines we are developing. In addition, we are building our understanding of how circulating biomarkers contribute to the risk of relapse or natural history of disease.
We work closely with our exceptional colleagues at GSK – including the clinical oncology translational team led by Dr Tony Ng and the AI/ML team led by Dr Kim Branson. These teams are instrumental in driving multimodal approaches to deepen our understanding of cancer biology and applying advanced analytics to scrutinise data. This integrated approach allows us to have a more comprehensive understanding of the biology underpinning the disease, while analysing the efficacy of our medicines.
We’re harnessing the expertise of these teams to develop patient-derived organoid models, alongside patient-derived explant models, which can be used to test hypotheses. This helps us to answer critical questions before we go into the clinic.
What role are those newer technologies, such as AI, organoid models and circulating tumour DNA playing in your current research?
In a translational research setting, where we can take advantage of organoid/patient-derived transplant models, we are using every possible means to interrogate the biology. We’re using innovative technologies like single-cell sequencing, spatial transcriptomics and digital pathology. Finally, we’re applying advanced analytics to make sense of it all.
Single-cell sequencing enhances our ability to map diseases with precision, allowing us to think carefully about the patient populations that we can treat. We can hone in on subsets of cells within compartments of tumours that could be driving a specific outcome to treatment. The technological advances we’ve made, combined with the expertise we have in-house, are allowing us to interrogate samples at a scale that was previously impossible.
In some instances, we’re applying some of these technologies retrospectively in an exploratory manner so that we can learn more about the patients we’re treating. Our prospective work focuses on validating findings for larger clinical studies, towards approval of our medicines. The challenge is finding the right balance between the learnings we can generate from these exploratory data, while also creating precision medicine solutions that can be made available for a larger patient population.
"Where we can take advantage of organoid/patient-derived transplant models, we are using every possible means to interrogate the biology. We’re using innovative technologies like single-cell sequencing, spatial transcriptomics and digital pathology. Finally, we’re applying advanced analytics to make sense of it all."
What is the future impact on patients from the advances in these technologies?
Digital pathology is transforming the field of immuno-oncology. AI can uncover patterns in histology slides that are beyond human detection, enhancing and accelerating our understanding. Additionally, AI and machine learning are contributing to many different areas of medicine.
A recent study from Memorial Sloan Kettering, published in Nature Medicine, highlighted how machine learning can unlock the predictive power of routine blood tests for outcomes with checkpoint inhibitors. Our ultimate goal is to maximize the information we generate from the studies that we conduct; while ensuring we can deliver solutions for patients that are accessible and drive impact
What modalities do you anticipate could have the most potential for the future of IO treatment?
Clearly, antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) are very promising. If they are as successful as the field hopes, they will have the potential to impact a broad range of cancer types and patient populations. Combining them with conventional IO therapies will be part of future IO treatment.
Additionally, T cell engagers are gaining traction even beyond oncology, extending into autoimmune diseases. By understanding resistance mechanisms and toxicity drivers, we can maximize patient benefits while minimizing safety concerns.
What maintains your passion for this industry and the work you’re doing?
The transformative potential of Precision Medicine and its capacity to significantly improve patient outcomes fuels my passion. We’re making a tangible difference to patients' lives. I also get great satisfaction from helping colleagues to achieve their goals and full potential.
Tell us the best pieces of career advice you received.
I had three important pieces of advice given to me:
The first piece of advice that my parents instilled in me was that I could do anything I put my mind to. Having that mentality has helped me to focus and to make sure that – whatever position I’m in – I’m paying attention to what’s important.
The second was when I first joined industry. My boss at the time, Dr Tal Zaks, taught me that the only constant is change. As such, it is important to build agility and resilience because the field is constantly changing. You need to be able to adapt and embrace change.
The last piece of advice is to be patient and remember to ‘breathe’. Things don’t happen instantaneously. Hard work, resilience and agility are essential if you want to accomplish something significant.
What is your advice for young people entering careers in science?
To young individuals, embarking on careers in science, I would advise embracing discomfort and challenging yourself. It's natural to have moments of self-doubt, but stepping outside your comfort zone will lead to growth. Each attempt makes it easier, and avoiding challenges only limits potential opportunities. Keep pushing forwards, and you'll find that the discomfort eventually transforms into confidence and, ultimately, success.
