LA Business Journal interviewed Stephanie Hsieh who recently stepped down from her role as executive director of the LA chapter of statewide advocacy group, Biocom California. The Business Journal and Hsieh discussed the current state of cancer immunotherapy research and development in Los Angeles.
A lightly edited summary of the interview follows.
On how cancer immunotherapy is applied to cancer treatment
Hsieh: Cancer immunotherapy harnesses one’s own immune system to treat cancer. Engineered antibodies, T-cells, and cytokines are biologics or large molecules in the body that target something specific in cancerous cells to destroy them. This strategy can treat cancer without overacting the immune system to attack other parts of the body.
On funding for immunotherapy companies
Hsieh: Funding for immune therapies remains strong not only for immune-oncology, but also for autoimmune and nervous system disorders.
On why LA has become a center for cancer immunotherapy companies
Hsieh: Research institutions UCLA Health and City of Hope are long-standing leaders in Los Angeles where the immunotherapy approach was pioneered. There have been many spinouts from the research, as well as lots of sharing of ideas. Additionally, LA County receives the lion’s share of the funding from NIH compared to other counties in California. “I’ve lived and worked in the Bay Area and Cambridge, (MA). There’s just something special in the air here that lends itself to collaboration.”
On why Hsieh is stepping back from the executive director role in Biocom
Hsieh: “I will lead a new initiative called Grow LA Bio. It’s a coalition between Biocom, the LA County Economic Development Corp, Bioscience LA, and the LARTA Institute.” The goal is to find space for companies to grow in LA, as also develop a giant mega cluster like the ones in the Bay Area, San Diego, and Cambridge.
Last updated: December 26th, 2025
