Steve Coats PhD

Dr. Coats earned his bachelor’s degree in zoology from the University of New Hampshire in 1985. Following his undergraduate degree, he earned his Ph.D. in molecular and cell Biology in 1993 at Vanderbilt University’s Department of Cell Biology. The focus of his graduate work was on the role that PDGF receptors and ligands play in regulating signal transduction pathways and the cell cycle. He continued his cell cycle research during his post-doctoral work from 1993-1996 at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle. In 1996 Dr. Coats then moved to Amgen and helped initially set up a cell cycle group and then became one of the first scientists in the newly formed cancer biology department.

In 2005 Dr. Coats joined AstraZeneca where he currently leads the Antibody Drug Conjugate project teams as they move from preclinical research into early phase clinical development (phase I and phase II studies). He co-leads the overall ADC early strategy with a focus on innovative approaches to technology, translational and clinical development. Leadership includes organizing Scientific Advisory Boards, business development and diligence activities, and working with CMC/manufacturing for capital investments in ADC manufacturing. Dr. Coats also leads immunotherapy projects in early clinical development.