Michael Friedman, MD
Co-Founder, Board Director
Dr. Michael A. Friedman in 2014 completed a decade of service as the Chief Executive Officer and Director, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Irell & Manella Cancer Center’s Distinguished Chair of City of Hope, a cancer research and treatment institution dedicated to innovation in basic and clinical biomedical research and delivery of exceptional patient care. Before this he was a senior vice president of research and development at Pharmacia Corporation. Following the events of September 11, 2001, he simultaneously served as chief medical officer for biomedical preparedness at the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America. Dr. Friedman previously served as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Deputy Commissioner and was then tapped by the Clinton administration to serve as acting commissioner. He helped to streamline the FDA’s review and approval process and protect the nation’s food and drug supply.
Before that, in 1983, Dr. Friedman joined the Division of Cancer Treatment at the National Cancer Institute, and became the Associate Director of the Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program. Before joining the NCI, he spent nearly a decade at the University of California at San Francisco, as an Associate Professor of Medicine directing their Cancer Research Institute. He joined the U.S. Public Health Service in 1970, ultimately attaining the rank of Rear Admiral and Assistant Surgeon General; he has served as an active duty and now reserve officer. He has received a number of commendations, including the Surgeon General’s Medallion, the FDA Commissioner’s Special Citation and the PHS Distinguished Service Medal.
Dr. Friedman 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 National Cancer Institute, and is board certified in Internal Medicine and Medical Oncology.
Currently, in addition to his efforts on behalf of City of Hope, he is a nonexecutive director for Mannkind Corp. and Sermonix Pharmaceuticals and advises a number of other private companies. Previously, he has served on the Celgene, Intuitive Surgical and Smith and Nephew boards as well as the California State Stem Cell Initiative Oversight Board. He is a trustee of Tulane University and the Los Angeles Opera.