Michael A. Friedman is president and chief executive officer of City of Hope, a cancer research and treatment institution dedicated to innovation in basic and clinical biomedical research and delivery of compassionate, world-class patient care. Friedman also serves as director of the institution’s Comprehensive Cancer Center and holder of the Irell & Manella Cancer Center Director’s Distinguished Chair.

Friedman was formerly senior vice president of research and development, medical and public policy, for Pharmacia Corporation. In addition, he served as chief medical officer for biomedical preparedness at the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America following the events of September 11, 2001. Friedman had previously served as Food and Drug Administration (FDA) deputy commissioner and was later tapped by the Clinton administration to serve as acting commissioner of the agency. He helped to streamline the FDA’s review and approval process and provided oversight of evaluations for drugs, biologics, medical devices and food ingredients.

In 1983, Friedman joined the Division of Cancer Treatment at the National Cancer Institute (NCI), and went on to become the associate director of the division’s Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program. Before joining the NCI, Friedman spent nearly a decade at the University of California at San Francisco, serving as associate professor of medicine, and interim director of the Cancer Research Institute. Friedman has received numerous commendations, including the Surgeon General’s Medallion in 1999. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree, magna cum laude, from Tulane University and a Doctorate in Medicine from the University of Texas. He completed postdoctoral training at Stanford University and the NCI, and is board certified in internal medicine and medical oncology.