James Kasper, M.S.

Jim Kasper joined LLS in 2007. He is the principle for many LLS grant programs including the Translational Research Program (TRP) and the Screen to Lead Program (SLP). He is also responsible for diligence on corporate/academic assets for investment by the LLS Therapy Acceleration Program of which he is a founding member. TAP seeks to move potential blood cancer therapies through late stage development and into clinical trials. His previous experience in drug discovery is instrumental in helping LLS vet appropriate biotech/pharma investments. His work at LLS spans all aspects of blood cancer research form early pre-clinical investigations up to human clinical trial design.

His work for seven years at the NCI Frederick Cancer Research Facility focused on the role of growth factors and oncogenes in normal and malignant blood cell development. The next phase of his career led him to the Biotechnology division of Bayer Health Care where he was involved in cytokine/chemokine protein engineering. He then transferred to the Oncology division of Bayer to lead multi-disciplinary, international teams involved in small molecule drug discovery. During his 14 years at Bayer, his responsibilities included target identification and validation, HTS assay development, in vivo and PK assessment as well has medicinal chemistry optimization of lead molecules.