Siew Schleyer, Ph.D
About Siew Schleyer, Ph.D
Siew Schleyer, Ph.D, is the Executive Director at Kite Pharma, where he focuses on biologics portfolios and early clinical development. He has extensive experience in biologics and biotherapeutics, having held various positions at prominent institutions including The Scripps Research Institute, UCSF, and Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research.
Current Role at Kite Pharma
Siew Schleyer serves as the Executive Director at Kite Pharma, a position she has held since 2021. In this role, she is responsible for overseeing the strategy and operation of biologics portfolios, with a specific focus on early clinical development and Investigational New Drug (IND) filing. Her leadership contributes to the advancement of innovative therapies within the organization.
Previous Experience in Biotherapeutics
Before her current position, Siew Schleyer held various roles in the biotherapeutics sector. She worked at CytomX Therapeutics as Director from 2017 to 2020, and prior to that, she served as Associate Director at Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research in Shanghai, China, from 2014 to 2017. Her experience includes significant contributions to antibody therapeutics during her tenure at Chiron Corporation from 2001 to 2006.
Educational Background and Expertise
Siew Schleyer earned her Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Immunology and Cell Biology from Harvard Medical School, where she studied from 1989 to 1996. She also holds a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Biochemistry from the University of California, Los Angeles, completed in 1989. Her academic background supports her expertise in biologics and biotherapeutics modalities, including antibody-drug conjugates (ADC), bispecific antibodies, and receptor-Fc fusion proteins.
Research and Development Experience
Siew Schleyer has extensive research experience, having worked as a Postdoctoral Fellow at both The Scripps Research Institute and UCSF. At The Scripps Research Institute, she was involved in the Department of Cell Biology from 1996 to 1998. At UCSF, she worked in the Department of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology from 1998 to 2001. This research background has informed her specialization in new target identification and validation in oncology and immuno-oncology.
Partnership and Collaboration Skills
Siew Schleyer possesses significant experience in partnership and external collaboration, as well as alliance management. Her ability to navigate complex relationships within the biopharmaceutical industry enhances her effectiveness in driving projects forward and fostering innovation in therapeutic development.