SEATTLE, WA, March 6, 2026 – Umoja Biopharma announces with deep sadness the passing of Dr. Philip Low, a pioneering scientist, entrepreneur, and one of its scientific co-founders, whose career reflected a lifelong commitment to translating innovative science into patient impact. Dr. Low passed away this week at the age of 78, leaving behind an extraordinary legacy in drug discovery and development, including Umoja’s first clinical-stage program built on his foundational work at Purdue University.
“Phil was a once-in-a-generation scientist whose work fundamentally reshaped our understanding of how CAR T cells can and should work in the body,” said Andrew Scharenberg, M.D., co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Umoja Biopharma. “He brought not only extraordinary intellectual rigor to Umoja’s early days, but a deep conviction that novel, groundbreaking science must ultimately serve patients. We are profoundly grateful for his scientific leadership and mentorship. Phil was a great friend and colleague. My thoughts are with his family, friends, and colleagues at Purdue.”
Over nearly five decades at Purdue University, Dr. Low became one of the world’s most influential scientists in academic drug discovery. He joined Dr. Andrew Scharenberg and Dr. Ryan Crisman in the founding of Umoja Biopharma in 2019. Dr. Low’s work was fundamental in the discovery and development of Umoja’s early scientific exploration in solid tumors, including its TumorTag programs and Phase I ENLIGHTen clinical trial in partnership with Seattle Children’s Research Institute.
About Umoja Biopharma Umoja Biopharma, Inc. is a clinical-stage biotechnology company aiming to develop in vivo cell therapies that improve the reach, effectiveness, and access of CAR T cell therapies in both oncology and autoimmunity. Umoja’s VivoVec™ in vivo gene delivery technology empowers a patient’s own immune system to fight disease. Enabling its core technology is the Company’s state- of-the-art lentiviral vector development and manufacturing facility in Louisville, Colorado. Umoja believes its approach can provide broader access and improved effectiveness of the most advanced immunotherapies, enabling more patients to live better, fuller lives. To learn more, connect with Umoja on LinkedIn and visit umoja-biopharma.com.
Contacts:
Investors
Nate Hardy
Chief Financial Officer
nate.hardy@umoja-biopharma.com
Media
Matt Wright
Real Chemistry
mwright@realchemistry.com