Exai Bio, a leading RNA- and AI-based liquid biopsy company, has announced the appointment of Karen E. Knudsen, MBA, PhD, to its board of directors. Knudsen, the former CEO of the American Cancer Society (ACS) and its affiliate, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN), is a renowned leader in oncology research and patient advocacy. She is a dedicated healthcare executive focused on the mission of eradicating cancer and improving outcomes for all patients.
“Dr. Knudsen is an outstanding leader in oncology, dedicated to driving innovation and building strategic partnerships that have significantly improved cancer care,” said Dave Daly, CEO of Exai Bio. “Her tenure as CEO of the American Cancer Society (ACS) saw remarkable growth in cancer research and increased access to next-generation cancer technologies. As an independent board member, her vast expertise in science and healthcare will be invaluable as we advance the development of our RNA liquid biopsy platform and work towards the goal of early cancer detection.”
Knudsen played a pivotal role in transforming ACS to better support cancer patients and contributed to a period of significant growth. She fostered strategic partnerships that accelerated access to critical cancer breakthroughs. Prior to her role at ACS, Knudsen served as executive vice president of oncology services and enterprise director of the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Jefferson Health, a National Cancer Institute-designated center known for its research and impact on cancer outcomes. She also served as president of the Association of American Cancer Institutes (AACI), representing 106 major cancer centers in North America, and as a member of the National Cancer Institute’s Board of Scientific Advisors. Knudsen has authored over 200 peer-reviewed publications and is renowned for her groundbreaking and translational cancer discoveries.
“I’m excited to join Exai Bio’s board, where we are focused on the critical challenge of breast cancer detection, especially for women with dense breast tissue,” said Knudsen. “Traditional screening methods often fail for these women, who are at higher risk. The need is even more urgent given the rising number of younger women being diagnosed with breast cancer. To truly end cancer as we know it, we must prioritize both prevention and the early detection of meaningful cancers.”
About Exai Bio
Exai Bio is a next-generation liquid biopsy company dedicated to transforming cancer detection and treatment. Its mission is to create a world where cancer is detected early, diagnosed accurately, treated in a personalized manner, and ultimately cured. Exai Bio’s proprietary oncRNA- and AI-based liquid biopsy technology provides valuable clinical insights into cancer biology, enabling the earliest and most precise cancer diagnoses.
