Kiara Therapeutics, InC.
Lighting the Path to New Cancer Therapeutics
About us
About us
Kiara Therapeutics, Inc. (KiaraTx) is a drug discovery company dedicated to overcoming challenges in cancer care by leveraging immune system stimulation.
Our unique approach selectively reactivates ancient endogenous retroviruses and retrotransposons embedded within cancer cells to stimulate robust immune activation and cell-specific cytotoxicity.
KiaraTx pursues a next-generation platform for drug discovery and immunotherapy applications.
Our Team
Beyond the Bench
Founded by former Scripps Research scientists, KiaraTx bridges academic excellence with industry expertise.
Our supporters include seasoned professionals with proven track records in bringing FDA-approved products to market, and investors passionate about the bench-to-bedside journey.
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Kwang-Ai (Kaye) Won, Ph.D.
President, CEO, & Co-Founder
Charles Spruck, Ph.D.
Co-Founder & Scientific Advisor
Previously, Scripps Research
Gideon Bollag, Ph.D.
R&D, Strategy Advisor
Previously, Plexxikon (Daiichi Sankyo Group), Syrrx (Takeda), Onyx Pharmaceuticals (Amgen), Cetus Corp (Chiron/Novartis)
Elton Satusky
Outside General Counsel
George Burslem, Ph.D.
Chemistry Advisor
Previously, Yale University
Yuqiao (Jerry) Shen, Ph.D.
Advisor
Previously, BioMarin Pharmaceutical, LEAD Therapeutics, Applied Biomics, Onyx Pharmaceuticals (Amgen), Princeton University
Jean-Francois Martini, Ph.D.
Preclinical Advisor
Previously, Pfizer, Exelixis, Abmaxis, Milagen, the University of California, San Francisco
Stephen Shiao, M.D., Ph.D.
Clinician Advisor
Angela Liou, M.D.
Clinician Advisor
Pipeline
Our Approach
The 3T Platform
Three interconnected pillars — Targets, Technology, and Translational Biology — working together to drive next-generation cancer therapeutics.
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Platform
Technology
High-throughput screening paired with AI-driven drug design.
- Bridges target-based and phenotypic drug screens
- Computational structure-based virtual drug discovery
- Accelerates identification of novel therapeutic candidates
Targets
Identifying biological vulnerabilities unique to cancer cells.
- Inducers of endogenous retroviruses & retrotransposons
- Activators of intracellular antiviral pathways
- Tumor immunomodulators
Translational Biology
Ensuring discoveries enhance real-world cancer treatments.
- Immune checkpoint blockade enhancers
- Adoptive T and NK cell therapies
- Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs)
- Replication stress & DNA double-strand break inducers
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KiaraTx’s 3T Platform for Portfolio and Partnership Growth
News
Latest Updates
Research Excellence
Co-founder’s work published in Cell, highlighted in Cancer Discovery, and featured in Technology Networks.
Research collaboration on Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) presented at the previous AACR Annual Meeting.
Strategic growth
Embarked Kiara Therapeutics Incorporated as a Delaware corporation in March 2022.
Secured pre-seed funding in October 2023.
Launched corporate website in April 2026.
Attending the 2026 AACR Annual Meeting in San Diego.
Research abstracts by our co-founder have been accepted for presentation.
Upcoming presentation
Let’s Work Together
Kiara Therapeutics, Inc. is a virtual company in California, USA.
We welcome the opportunity to discuss potential business partnerships and innovations.
Please send inquiries via info@kiaratx.com or fill out some info and we will be in touch shortly.