Our Team
Reid Maclellan, MD, MMSc
Dr. Reid Maclellan is the Chief Executive Officer of PALA Pharmaceuticals, where he leads the company’s mission to bring immune-activating cancer therapies to patients. A Harvard-trained plastic surgeon and adjunct professor at Harvard Medical School and Boston Children’s Hospital, Dr. Maclellan also holds a master’s in Commercializing Medicine from Harvard. His deep expertise at the intersection of clinical innovation and biotechnology commercialization supports PALA’s path from bench to bedside.
George Stark, PhD
Dr. George Stark, Co-Chief Scientist at PALA Pharmaceuticals, is a renowned cancer biologist whose pioneering research first revealed the anti-cancer potential of PALA in the 1970s. Best known for co-discovering the JAK-STAT signaling pathway, Dr. Stark has spent over 50 years advancing cancer research and previously served as Director of Research at the Cleveland Clinic. His foundational work continues to shape PALA’s approach to immune-based cancer therapies.
Christine McDonald, PhD
Dr. Christine McDonald is Co-Chief Scientist at PALA Pharmaceuticals and the scientist responsible for uncovering PALA’s novel immune-activating properties. With over 15 years of leadership in innate immunity research, she identified how PALA stimulates the immune system without harming healthy cells. Her discovery redefined PALA’s therapeutic potential and now drives the company’s development of breakthrough treatments across multiple cancer types.