Ep. 14: Stanley Lewis and His Journey with A28 Therapeutics and Entrepreneurship

Dr. Stanley T. Lewis, the Founder and CEO of A28 Therapeutics, has an extensive background in healthcare, biopharmaceuticals, and clinical research. His journey into the world of entrepreneurship and medicine is deeply personal and driven by both family influence and his experiences as a clinician and researcher.

Dr. Lewis's father was described as a serial entrepreneur, instilling in him the belief that to truly succeed and control one's destiny, one must venture into building something of their own. This notion resonated with Lewis, even though it wasn't the primary driving force behind his career. His transition from clinical medicine to focusing on drug development was marked by a significant decision to move to California in 2018, ceasing his clinical practice to avoid potential conflicts of interest as he embarked on developing new drugs​​.

He holds a Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) from McGovern Medical School and completed his residency and fellowship in Internal Medicine at the same institution. Beyond his medical degree, Dr. Lewis pursued further education in public health, obtaining a Master's degree in Health Services Administration from The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth) School of Public Health. His career spans various leadership roles, including serving as the Chief Medical Officer at Ansun Biopharma, Inc., and TaiMed Biologics, among others​​.

Dr. Lewis's decision to found A28 Therapeutics in 2021 was motivated by his experiences with patients suffering from diseases with inadequate treatments, starting with HIV/AIDS during its early crisis years. Witnessing the limitations of available treatments and the severe side effects they entailed, Lewis was driven to contribute to the development of more effective and less harmful medications. His personal connection to cancer, through the experiences of his father and his wife's grandfather with gastric cancer, further fueled his dedication to improving oncology therapeutics. Dr. Lewis aims to develop drugs that offer hope and tangible benefits to patients with advanced disease stages, particularly focusing on liver metastases​​​​.

Dr. Lewis's work is characterized by his commitment to pushing the envelope in drug development, motivated by both a deep scientific interest and a personal mission to offer better treatment options to patients. His leadership at A28 Therapeutics reflects a culmination of his vast experience in clinical research, patient care, and teaching, alongside his entrepreneurial spirit inspired by his family's legacy​​.

Listen here to our journey with Dr. Lewis.