James Villa
About James Villa
James Villa serves as the Vice President of Research Strategy and Operations at MOMA Therapeutics, where he has worked since 2021. He holds a Ph.D. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and has extensive experience in research strategy and operations across several prominent organizations.
Work at MOMA Therapeutics
James Villa serves as the Vice President of Research Strategy and Operations at MOMA Therapeutics, a position he has held since 2021. Based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, he plays a crucial role in overseeing research initiatives and operational strategies within the organization. His responsibilities include managing significant investments in platform capabilities, which are essential for the company's growth and innovation in therapeutic development.
Education and Expertise
James Villa holds a Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry from Saint Joseph's University and a Doctor of Philosophy in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine. Additionally, he completed an Executive Education Program at Columbia Business School. His educational background provides a strong foundation for his expertise in research strategy and operations within the biopharmaceutical industry.
Background
Before joining MOMA Therapeutics, James Villa held various leadership positions in the biopharmaceutical sector. He worked at Generate Biomedicines, Inc. as Head of Platform Strategy and Operations for nine months. Prior to that, he spent several years at GSK, where he advanced through roles including Director and Senior Director of the R&D Strategy Development Team, and Head of R&D Strategy Development Team for Global Initiatives in Bioelectronics & Target Sciences.
Achievements
James Villa initiated and led the Platform Capabilities Investment Board, managing approximately $3 billion annually and achieving around $400 million in savings. He co-discovered a bioelectronics opportunity that resulted in a joint venture with Google, leading to the establishment of Galvani Bioelectronics. Additionally, he collaborated with thought leaders to develop a strategy for the Open Targets platform, a significant public-private partnership focused on human target validation.