Genentech: Jim Kiefer | Senior Director and Distinguished Scientist, Structural Biology

Scientists / Our Scientists

"Cancer and autoimmune diseases are prevalent among my family and friends. I am here, because I would like to fight back."

Years at Genentech

Publications at Genentech

My path to Genentech began in the Midwest, working at Searle, Pharmacia, and Pfizer for 12 years, in structure based drug design. Looking from the outside in, I had always been struck by how Genentech was consistently leading, rather than following, in the discovery of new medicines. I have been even more impressed by the culture and innovation here since joining in 2012.

I am structural biologist, but I think of myself as a “molecular photographer.” We determine the shapes of proteins bound to chemicals on the path to potentially becoming drugs and try to improve that interaction. The technique has broad applications from traditional, “small molecule” drugs to protein therapeutics. My primary interests involve pathways triggering cancer and inflammation. In my 20+ years of pharma experience, I have worked on a variety of projects, including some which are currently in clinical trials.

My non-scientific passions are mentoring and diversity. I have benefited greatly from mentors throughout my career, and I devote significant energy to try to help others, at all stages of their careers. I currently lead our Diversity & Inclusion Growth & Development Pillar, a team whose focus is assuring that all employees can learn and thrive in their careers at Genentech.

SUMMARY OF PUBLICATIONS (PDF)

Featured Publication

GDC-9545 (Giredestrant): A Potent and Orally Bioavailable Selective Estrogen Receptor Antagonist and Degrader with an Exceptional Preclinical Profile for ER+ Breast Cancer.

J Med Chem. 2021 64:11841-11856.

Liang J, Zbieg JR, Blake RA, Chang JH, Daly S, DiPasquale AG, Friedman LS, Gelzleichter T, Gill M, Giltnane JM, Goodacre S, Guan J, Hartman SJ, Ingalla ER, Kategaya L, Kiefer JR, Kleinheinz T, Labadie SS, Lai T, Li J, Liao J, Liu Z, Mody V, McLean N, Metcalfe C, Nannini MA, Oeh J, O'Rourke MG, Ortwine DF, Ran Y, Ray NC, Roussel F, Sambrone A, Sampath D, Schutt LK, Vinogradova M, Wai J, Wang T, Wertz IE, White JR, Yeap SK, Young A, Zhang B, Zheng X, Zhou W, Zhong Y, Wang X.

View Abstract

My role at Genentech has encompassed multiple facets. I currently manage the Structure Based Drug Design efforts in the Structural Biology Department. This includes helping shape the strategy for how we attack the targets in our portfolio. I also participate on or lead several external collaborations directed at target enablement and lead finding.

I have previously been a project leader of an inflammation target, and I remain active in contributing to structural data for projects across our small and large molecule portfolio.

Discovery of GDC-0077 (Inavolisib), a Highly Selective Inhibitor and Degrader of Mutant PI3Kα

Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, ISSN: 15204804 00222623

Emily J. Hanan; Marie-Gabrielle Braun; Robert Heald; Calum Macleod; Connie Chan; Saundra Clausen; Kyle A. Edgar; Eigenbrot; Richard Elliott; Nicholas F. Endres; Lori S. Friedman; Emily Gogol; Xiao-Hui Gu; Rebecca Hong Thibodeau; Philip Jackson; James R. Kiefer; Jamie Knight; Michelle Nannini; Raman Narukulla; Amanda Pace; Jodie Pang; Hans E. Purkey; Laurent Salphati; Deepak Sampath; Stephen Schmidt; Steve Sideris; Kyung Song; Swathi Sujatha-Bhaskar; Ultsch; Heidi J. A. Wallweber; Jianfeng Xin; Siew Kuen Yeap; Amy Young; Yu Zhong; Steven T. Staben

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Jim Kiefer

Senior Director and Distinguished Scientist, Structural Biology

Featured Publication

GDC-9545 (Giredestrant): A Potent and Orally Bioavailable Selective Estrogen Receptor Antagonist and Degrader with an Exceptional Preclinical Profile for ER+ Breast Cancer.