Kelvin Gee

Kelvin Gee is known for his innovations in the pharmacology of novel allosteric modulators of ligand-gated ion channels and for his seminal work in developing the first synthetic analogs of the neuroactive steroid allopregnanolone, for non-anesthetic use. Along the way he discovered and patented novel uses for ligands of the TSPO for therapy following CNS disease or injury along with 12 other patents for novel therapeutic agents directed at serious CNS disorders. Just two years beyond his post-doctoral training and while a junior faculty member at the University of Southern California (USC) School of Pharmacy, Dr. Gee became the scientific founder and Chief Scientific Officer (CSO) of the biopharmaceutical company, CoCensys Inc. (1989). The company’s technology was based on his pioneering work with neuroactive steroids, including ganaxolone. While at USC he was supported by the prestigious Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association Foundation Faculty Development Award in Pharmacology which allows academic scientists to pursue drug discovery projects. Concurrently, as CoCensys’ CSO, he helped raise over $135 MM from start-up to subsequent financings and partnerships with pharma that led to a successful IPO, and ultimate sale of the company to Purdue Pharma. He is a serial entrepreneur and has remained active in the start-up and initial operations of multiple biopharmaceutical companies including GeminX, Ista Pharmaceuticals, Remergent, Kadmus Pharmaceuticals, Xytis and Anvyl where he acted as interim-CSO, scientific advisor or board member and has served on the scientific advisory board of one of the oldest biomedical venture capital firms in the U.S., Sanderling Ventures.