Kristen Pierce

Kristen Pierce joined Pionyr in 2021. She leads translational medicine, including bioanalytical development and tissue- based biomarkers. Dr. Pierce has over 25 years of research and development experience, including 20 years in the biopharmaceutical industry focused on oncology research and development. Prior to joining Pionyr, she was an Executive Director at Pfizer, where she was Asset Team Lead in early oncology development. Prior to Pfizer, Dr. Pierce spent sixteen years at FivePrime Therapeutics and was the asset team lead for nonclinical and early clinical development, including development of a companion diagnostic, for the anti-FGFR2b antibody, Bemarituzumab, a first-in-class antibody in late development for patients with FGFR2b- overexpressing gastric cancer. Dr. Pierce received her Ph.D. from the University of Arizona where her research focused on cloning and understanding the signaling of prostaglandin E receptors. She completed a postdoctoral fellowship in the laboratory of Dr. Robert J. Lefkowitz at Duke University where her research focused on GPCR signaling, especially G-protein switching.