Our Company

Jim began his career in basic science, being awarded an NIH postdoctoral fellowship to pursue research in the laboratory of Jonathan Cooper at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer center.  His work focused on protein kinase signaling networks during which time he discovered and cloned the first full length MAP kinase, ERK2, and identified the upstream activating kinase, MEK which has since been successfully targeted with small molecule drugs for the treatment of cancer.  Following a successful postdoc, Jim began his own independent research program at the Larner College of Medicine at the University of Vermont as a tenure track Assistant Professor, continuing his work on protein kinases.  His work on the endothelin receptor signaling pathway in lung disease was funded by the NIH and the NSF.  Interested in more applied research, Jim joined Eli Lilly & Co. in the Biotherapeutics Division where he was a member of the management team managing over 150 scientists and multiple discovery programs across multiple therapeutic areas.  In addition, Jim gained valuable marketing experience with a role in Lilly’s new product planning group.  After several years at Lilly Jim pivoted on to the business side as the Chief Business Officer at GlycoFi.  He designed GlycoFi’s business strategy focusing the company on the design of monoclonal antibodies with highly differentiated effector function.  Jim then executed company transformative licensing transactions with Eli Lilly and Merck, and lead the business effort in the acquisition of the company by Merck in 2006 for $400M.  Following the sale of GlycoFi, Jim pursued his long-held interest in autoimmunity and founded Resolve Therapeutics based on novel scientific findings involving the central role of nucleic acid immune complexes, TLR receptor signaling, and autoimmunity.  Under his leadership Resolve has successfully completed five clinical trials to date, including a P2 study in SLE with positive findings, and a positive P2 study in Sjogren’s Syndrome.  Jim has raised over $40M to date for the company, including venture capital investments and non-dilutive pharma partnering transactions.  The company is poised to launch late-stage clinical development efforts in SLE and Sjogren’s syndrome.  Jim received a BS in biology from Eastern Connecticut State University, a Ph.D. in cell and molecular biology from the University of Vermont Medical College, and an MBA from the University of Vermont.

Peter Kiener, PH.D.

Chairman of the Board of Managers

Dr. Peter Kiener is an experienced veteran in pharmaceutical development. He previously served as Chief Scientific Officer of Ambrx Inc., a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of antibody-drug conjugates. Prior, he was President and co-founder of Zyngenia Inc., an early stage biopharmaceutical company. He held leadership roles at MedImmune, including Executive Vice President and Global Head of Biologics Research and Development, Senior Vice President and Head of Global Research, and Vice President of Research. Dr. Kiener began his career at the University of North Texas/Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine, where he was an Assistant Professor, and the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, where he was a Research Associate. Dr. Kiener has served on the scientific advisory boards of KAI Pharmaceuticals Inc., Genocea Biosciences Inc., NKT Therapeutics Inc. and VLST Corporation. He has published more than 120 papers in peer-reviewed journals, and is an inventor on more than 40 patents and patent applications. Dr. Kiener earned a Bachelor’s degree in chemistry from the University of Lancaster and a Doctorate of Philosophy in biochemistry from the University of Oxford.