David Jay Portman, MD Chief Executive Officer and Founder Sermonix Pharmaceuticals President of Oncology LeonaBio David J Portman M.D. is founder and chief executive officer of Sermonix Pharmaceuticals and President of Oncology at LeonaBio developing the small molecule lasofoxifene, a next-generation selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM) as a targeted endocrine treatment for advanced breast cancer. During his clinical and clinical research career, as an expert in SERM biology and women’s health, he has been involved in numerous FDA-approved development programs, including those for the SERMs bazedoxifene (Duavee®) and ospemifene (Osphena®). Dr Portman was an advisor to Pfizer during their earlier non-oncology development of lasofoxifene and principal investigator for their phase 2 and 3 programs in osteoporosis, menopause, and breast cancer prevention. He founded Sermonix in 2015 and initiated its oncology clinical development of lasofoxifene for metastatic breast cancer in 2018 after the discovery of pre-clinical activity of lasofoxifene in ESR1 mutated cell and animal models at Duke Univeristy and University of Chicago. Two phase 2 studies, including a combination study with abemaciclib have been completed. Sermonix recently licensed lasofoxifene to LeonaBio where Dr Portman now serves as President of Oncology. The global phase 3 Elaine 3 registrational trial is currently enrolling to advance the novel lasofoxifene-abemaciclib combination for metastatic breast cancer with ESR1 mutations. Prior to Sermonix, Dr Portman founded the Columbus Center for Women's Health Research where he conducted more than 140 clinical trials in endocrine therapies, osteoporosis, breast cancer prevention, menopause, and sexual dysfunction. Dr Portman, a key opinion leader in women’s health, has presented at medical meetings around the world and published dozens of articles in prestigious medical journals. He received his BA from Northwestern University and his MD from The Ohio State University College of Medicine where he also completed his residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology.