Kirk Johnson

Dr. Johnson is a seasoned biotech and pharmaceutical industry leader with over 30 years of experience in drug discovery and development. He has founded early-staged programs which successfully advanced to late-stage clinical trials, has directed U.S. and ex-U.S. IND submissions, and has participated in new drug approvals (Proleukin®, Factive®). Dr. Johnson has led programs in multiple therapeutic indications across several drug platforms including proteins/mAbs, gene therapy, small molecules, and a botanical.

Dr. Johnson has served leadership roles in preclinical development, clinical pharmacology and overall R&D in small- and mid-sized pharmaceutical companies including Chiron/Novartis, Xoma, and Avigen/Medicinova.

Dr. Johnson received his Ph.D. in pharmacology and toxicology from the Medical College of Virginia and did post-doctoral training at Dartmouth Medical School and U.C. Berkeley. He has authored ~90 peer reviewed publications, served as a reviewer to multiple journals, and is an inventor on over 30 issued patents.