Professional Title and Role
Emrullah Yilmaz currently holds the position of Medical Director, Clinical Development at Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine (as of June 2024). His role involves leadership within clinical development activities, explicitly associated with innovative oncology medicines. Notably, he has joined the amivantamab clinical team at Johnson & Johnson, which suggests direct involvement in clinical trials and product development for this advanced therapeutic agent targeting cancers.
Work Experience and Expertise
Dr. Yilmaz’s career spans a robust combination of clinical oncology, translational research, and precision oncology. Prior to his current role at Johnson & Johnson, he served as:
- Director and Associate Director of Precision Oncology
- Head & Neck Medical Oncologist
- Assistant Professor of Medicine at the Cleveland Clinic Taussig Cancer Institute.
His extensive clinical expertise centers on head and neck cancers, including recurrent and metastatic cases, demonstrated by his involvement in clinical studies and guideline publications relating to immunotherapy and biomarker testing in this disease area.
He is also a clinical investigator with a strong translational research focus on immune biomarkers in head & neck cancers and thyroid carcinomas, reflecting a precision medicine orientation relevant to targeted therapeutic development.
Research Contributions and Publications
Dr. Yilmaz has contributed to over 28 research works, collectively cited more than 150 times. Key research themes include:
- Immunotherapy combinations such as HB-200 arenavirus–based immunotherapy plus pembrolizumab for recurrent/metastatic HPV16-positive head and neck cancer.
- Leadership and authorship in clinical trials, including a Phase II trial of Enfortumab Vedotin in previously treated advanced cancer patients (with Johnson & Johnson/Janssen employment referenced).
- Investigations into immune checkpoint inhibitors (PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors) and their clinical applications in metastatic malignancies.
- Translational studies on the regulatory role of dendritic cells expressing indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase, highlighting his immuno-oncology expertise.
His publications are frequently featured in reputable oncology journals such as Journal of Clinical Oncology and Cancer, and he participates in guideline development (e.g., American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Q&A guidelines on biomarker testing).
Advisory and Consulting Roles
He holds an advisory role with Astellas Pharma, aligning him with broader pharmaceutical collaborations beyond Johnson & Johnson. This indicates experience consulting on drug development and clinical strategy in oncology therapeutics.
Education and Qualifications
Dr. Yilmaz received his medical degree from Hacettepe Üniversitesi in Turkey and completed advanced qualifications culminating in an MD, PhD. He further trained and gained clinical and faculty positions in the United States, including at Cleveland Clinic and the University of New Mexico Comprehensive Cancer Center.
Professional Interests and Current Projects
- Direct responsibility for clinical development programs at Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine, with a strong focus on precision oncology and immune-oncology agents.
- Active involvement in clinical trial design and execution for novel agents like amivantamab, a bispecific antibody targeting EGFR and MET, aimed at treating advanced/metastatic cancers.
- Engaged in launching patient-centered initiatives such as the Women’s Comprehensive Health and Research Center, indicating leadership extending into broader healthcare access and advocacy.
Geographic Location
Based in the United States, with professional activity linked to Raritan, New Jersey (Johnson & Johnson headquarters) and Cleveland, Ohio (prior clinical and academic appointments).
Emrullah Yilmaz's combined clinical, research, and drug development expertise, particularly in head and neck oncology and immune-oncology, positions him as a key strategic leader within Johnson & Johnson’s Innovative Medicine division focused on advancing precision cancer therapies. His involvement with high-profile clinical trials and advisory roles suggests a deep insight into emerging oncology treatment paradigms and regulatory landscapes.
