Dr. Morganna Vance, D.O., FACP, Global Development Lead on Influential Women
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Influential Woman · Pharmaceuticals / Biotech

Dr. Morganna Vance, D.O., FACP

Global Development Lead, Iovance Biotherapeutics, Inc.

San Carlos, CA 94070

9Years experience
12Awards received

Certifications · Degrees · Memberships

Degree St. Mary's University – Bachelor of Science (B.S.), Biology/Chemistry Degree Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM) – Doctor of Medicine (M.D.), Osteopathic Medicine/Osteopathy Degree University of Florida – Internal Medicine Residency Program Degree University of Florida – Chief Resident Degree Moffitt Cancer Center / University of South Florida – Hematology/Oncology Fellowship, Tumor Microenvironment & Immunotherapy of Melanoma and Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Degree Fellowship, American College of Physicians (FACP) Degree Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI) – Certification in Biomedical Research, Human Research, and Good Clinical Practices Degree University of Michigan – AMSA 5th Annual Medical Education Leadership Institute Cert Board Certified in Internal Medicine and Oncology Medical Oncology Cert Fellow, American College of Physicians (FACP) Member Healthcare Business Women's Association Member Fellow, American College of Physicians (FACP) Member SWOG, Melanoma Committee Working Group Member Society for Melanoma Research, Melanoma Prevention Working Group Member ASCO Government Relations Committee Member Tri Beta Biology Honors Society

Her Story

About Dr. Morganna

Dr. Morganna Vance is a board-certified medical oncologist who now serves as Executive Director and Global Development Lead for the skin cancer and sarcoma franchises at Iovance Biotherapeutics, a role she has held since November 2025. In this position, she works across organizational functions to shape strategy, assess risk, and guide cross-functional teams in advancing melanoma therapies, drawing on her scientific background to build relationships with cancer centers worldwide and expand patient access to care. Before joining Iovance, she held senior director positions at Exelixis and Gilead Sciences, where she contributed to leadership efforts behind pivotal Phase 3 trials in metastatic urothelial and renal cell carcinoma, and she also served in senior medical roles at Artiva Biotherapeutics and Novocure.

A clinician-turned-industry leader, Dr. Vance practiced as an oncologist for a decade, including time as an Assistant Clinical Professor at City of Hope, before moving into pharmaceuticals roughly seven years ago to work on clinical trials capable of reaching far larger patient populations. Her academic path began with a Bachelor of Science in Biology and Chemistry from St. Mary's University, followed by a Doctor of Medicine from the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine. She completed her internal medicine residency and chief residency at the University of Florida, then pursued a hematology/oncology fellowship at Moffitt Cancer Center and the University of South Florida, concentrating on the tumor microenvironment and immunotherapy approaches to melanoma and non-small cell lung cancer. She is board-certified in both internal medicine and medical oncology and holds fellowship status with the American College of Physicians.

Beyond her clinical and industry work, Dr. Vance is an active voice in health policy, having completed a formal health policy fellowship and served a three-year term with the ASCO Government Relations Committee. She holds memberships with the Healthcare Businesswomen's Association, SWOG's Melanoma Committee Working Group, and the Society for Melanoma Research's Melanoma Prevention Working Group, and she was honored with the Melanoma Research Foundation's Humanitarian Award in 2018. A dedicated mentor to women in pharma, she credits a formative fellowship mentorship with shaping her own career and remains passionate about guiding the next generation of scientific leaders. Outside of work, she is an avid long-distance cyclist and has participated in international medical volunteering efforts, including work in Kenya.

Her Interview

Ten minutes with Dr. Morganna

01What do you attribute your success to?

I attribute much of my success to a mentorship I proactively sought out during my oncology fellowship. That relationship changed the trajectory of my career and deepened my commitment to melanoma research.

02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?

I encourage young women entering this field not to be afraid to bet on themselves. Setbacks are simply part of the journey, and I'd urge them to seek out and accept mentorship, embracing the professional community around them to help develop their full potential.

03What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?

We're in an incredibly exciting era of scientific advancement in cancer therapy, one that allows treatments to reach a growing number of patients. At the same time, one of the biggest challenges I navigate is understanding the business side of drug development and ensuring that these therapies remain accessible to patients globally.

04What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?

Mentorship, teaching, and scientific collaboration are central to how I approach my work. Above all, I stay focused on the impact we can have on patients and on ensuring broader access to care.

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