Xavier Avat, Executive Vice President & Chief Business Officer, Moffitt Cancer Center

In an interview with Invest:, Xavier Avat, executive vice president and chief business officer of the Moffitt Cancer Center, highlighted surpassing 1,000 CAR T-cell therapy patients — the most worldwide. Tampa Bay’s diverse population and Moffitt’s AI-driven innovations fuel advancements in personalized oncology care, while a new life sciences hub aims to attract top talent and solidify Moffitt’s leadership.

What are some major achievements or milestones Moffitt Cancer Center has reached in the past year?

Over the past year, Moffitt Cancer Center has made remarkable strides across many areas. A key highlight has been defining our strategic intent and aligning our efforts toward long-term objectives. These include driving clinical outcomes through AI applications, transitioning care from inpatient to outpatient settings to build the clinic of the future, and launching a globally approved product from our R&D pipeline, whether it’s a therapeutic, diagnostic, device, or digital asset. This structured, forward-looking strategy moves us beyond short-term operational goals to a clear roadmap for the next decade.

Internally, we’ve strengthened our leadership team by bringing in new expertise in areas like risk management and clinical operations. While these changes may seem subtle from the outside, they are crucial for maintaining our momentum and ensuring strong execution of our objectives.

Another key development has been the growth of our innovation and entrepreneurship department, created just 18 months ago. This new team builds on our tech transfer foundation and focuses on bringing Moffitt’s clinical expertise, cutting-edge therapeutics, diagnostics, and digital innovations to a global stage. Few realize that Moffitt has a substantial R&D operation, comparable to a midsized biotech, with 1,600 professionals and significant investments annually.

We’ve also seen progress in leveraging digital platforms to expand our reach beyond Tampa and Florida, offering expertise to patients in areas like Latin America and Southeast Asia. This global perspective complements our commitment to providing top-tier care to the local community while sharing our innovations with the world.

What aspects of being based in Tampa Bay contribute to Moffitt Cancer Center’s success, and how does this market set it apart from other cancer centers?

Tampa Bay offers a unique combination of factors that fuel Moffitt’s success. The region’s large and diverse population drives significant patient volume, providing a robust foundation for clinical trials and innovation. Over the past year, Moffitt has treated more than 1,500 with CAR T-cell therapy in a commercial setting — more than any other center in the world. This milestone reflects decades of commitment to cell therapy, a field Moffitt pioneered long before it became mainstream.

Tampa’s relatively limited cancer infrastructure has also positioned Moffitt as the go-to center for complex cases. Many patients seek us after exhausting treatment options elsewhere, often arriving in late stages of their journey. With advanced clinical trials and innovative therapies available only at Moffitt, we can offer hope and novel solutions where others cannot. Additionally, the area’s diverse population allows us to test and develop therapies that address a wide range of patient demographics, ensuring broader applicability.

What digital health initiatives have earned Moffitt Cancer Center recognition as a “Digital Health Most Wired” organization?

Moffitt’s digital health leadership stems from its long-term investment in data and innovation. Over 25 years ago, Moffitt strategically began collecting comprehensive patient data, including genomics, tumor characteristics, treatment histories, and social factors, while tracking this information over time. This repository has grown into one of the richest datasets in oncology, supporting groundbreaking research and personalized care.

Building on this foundation, Moffitt established a machine learning department to analyze these datasets, uncovering insights that traditional biological methods might miss. We also created a mathematical oncology department, leveraging evolutionary theory to model and combat cancer progression. These innovations are so groundbreaking that the NIH has recognized mathematical oncology as a distinct research discipline, with Moffitt leading the charge.

Now, with advanced computing power and refined tools, we can truly mine this data to optimize patient care. Historically, cancer treatments have been applied sequentially — trying one tool after another until remission is achieved. Moffitt is working to transform this approach by tailoring treatments to individual patients from the outset. By combining data, technology, and our extensive toolkit, ranging from biologics and cell therapies to surgery and radiotherapy, we aim to create personalized, dynamic treatment plans that maximize outcomes and redefine the standard of care.

How does the Tampa Bay market contribute to Moffitt Cancer Center’s goals, and what efforts are being made to develop the local workforce?

Tampa Bay provides a strong foundation for Moffitt’s success, offering a diverse population and a large volume of cancer patients that drive research and clinical advancements. Moffitt has become a global leader in CAR T-cell therapy. This leadership stems from years of innovation, starting with our early work in cell therapy decades ago, which has made us a hub for cutting-edge cancer care. Tampa’s patient demographics also support the development of therapies for a wide range of populations, which is critical for advancing treatments globally.

Building the local workforce is essential as we expand, particularly with new projects like the life sciences hub near the airport, which will require 15,000–20,000 new workers in the next few years. Florida’s top-ranking higher education system produces talented graduates, but many have historically left the state in search of opportunities. Moffitt is working to change that by leveraging its global reputation in immuno-oncology and cell therapy to attract and retain top talent.

To achieve this, we are emphasizing our leadership in innovation, as people in science and healthcare want to work with world-class teams on advanced projects. Moffitt offers a unique opportunity for professionals to engage with top experts in their fields, from our CEO to researchers recognized worldwide. At the same time, we’re building partnerships with local institutions like the University of South Florida and area schools to nurture homegrown talent. Promoting Tampa as a hub for biotech and advanced cancer care is key to continuing this momentum and ensuring that we attract the workforce needed for our future growth.

How do partnerships shape Moffitt’s strategy for innovation and growth?

Partnerships are central to Moffitt’s ability to innovate and expand its impact, especially in areas like digital health and advanced therapeutics. While Moffitt excels in clinical expertise, areas like AI, software development, and platform architecture require the specialized knowledge of external partners. Collaboration allows us to combine strengths and create solutions that neither could achieve alone.

For example, Moffitt’s clinical data repository, which has been growing for over 25 years, is a rich resource that can transform oncology care when paired with cutting-edge AI and data analytics. By partnering with organizations that specialize in these areas, we can unlock the full potential of this data, designing more personalized and effective treatments for patients.

Partnerships are also key in biopharma, where Moffitt has long led in areas like cell therapy and immuno-oncology. These fields, still in their early stages, have the potential to become major modalities of cancer treatment, much like small molecules or biologics. By collaborating with other innovators, Moffitt can stay at the forefront of these advancements, leveraging its expertise to develop therapies that impact patients worldwide.

Ultimately, partnerships are about creating synergies. By combining our clinical expertise with the capabilities of other leaders, we can innovate faster and more effectively, ensuring that patients benefit from the best possible care and solutions. This collaborative approach extends beyond Tampa Bay, allowing us to amplify our impact on a global scale.