Vice President, Research - New Technologies

Kyverna Therapeutics is a patient-centered, clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing cell therapies for patients suffering from autoimmune diseases. Guided by our core values, Stay True to Why, Collaborate to Accelerate, Lead with Clarity, Boldly Innovative, and Own the Outcome, we are committed to transforming the future of treatment for autoimmune disease. Join us at the forefront of cell therapy innovation and help redefine what’s possible.

Title: Vice President, Research - New Technologies

Location: Emeryville, CA (Hybrid) or Remote

Reports To: Chief Medical and Development Officer

Position Summary

Kyverna Therapeutics is seeking a visionary Vice President, Research to lead its discovery and early development organization. This executive will define and execute the research strategy supporting Kyverna’s mission to transform autoimmune disease treatment through innovative immune cell therapies and next-generation platforms.

The VP will lead a multidisciplinary organization spanning immunology, cellular engineering, discovery, and platform innovation. In addition to advancing the current pipeline, this leader will drive evaluation and development of next-generation CAR-T, including innovations in CAR design, targeted delivery, immune modulation, persistence, safety, manufacturability, and scalability that enhance clinical outcomes and patient access. 

This role partners closely with Clinical Development, Technical Operations, Regulatory Affairs, Corporate Strategy and Executive Leadership to ensure seamless progression from discovery to development and commercialization.

Responsibilities

Define and execute the company’s research and innovation strategy.
Lead discovery, preclinical research, and early phase development
Shape the strategy for next-generation immune cell therapies and CAR-T innovation.
Evaluate advances in CAR design, gene engineering, synthetic biology, immune tolerance, and related technologies.
Build an innovation engine that generates future pipeline opportunities and platform extensions.
Establish external collaborations with academic, biotech, and key opinion leaders.
Monitor scientific and competitive landscapes to identify emerging opportunities.
Build and advance a portfolio of next-generation therapeutic candidates.
Evaluate next generation platform technologies to strengthen long-term competitive advantage.
Prioritize discovery-stage investments and portfolio opportunities.
Drive research focused on improving efficacy, safety, persistence, manufacturability, and patient experience.
Assess novel immune cell engineering approaches and targeted immune reset strategies.
Define platform evolution and pipeline expansion roadmaps.
Partner with Business Development on external innovation and licensing opportunities.
Ensure smooth transition from discovery to IND-enabling development.
Support regulatory interactions and translational data packages.
Collaborate with Clinical Development and Regulatory Affairs to enable clinical advancement.
Establish governance, goals, and decision-making frameworks.
Serve as a scientific advisor to cross functional teams.
Represent Kyverna externally at conferences, advisory boards, and industry forums.
Build relationships with key opinion leaders and external experts.
Support business development, diligence, and strategic partnerships.
Serve as a thought leader in immunology, autoimmune disease, and cell therapy innovation.

Qualifications

PhD, MD, or equivalent in a relevant scientific discipline.
15+ years of biotech/pharma experience with progressive leadership responsibility.
Proven success leading discovery and translational research organizations.
Deep expertise in immunology, autoimmune disease, or engineered immune cell therapies.
Track record advancing programs from discovery through IND-enabling stages.
Experience leading cross-functional scientific teams across research and early development.
Strong understanding of end-to-end drug development (discovery through CMC and clinical development).
Experience in cell therapy, gene engineering, biologics, or related modalities.
Experience advancing novel cellular engineering technologies into preclinical development.
Knowledge of emerging in vivo CAR-T technologies, including advances in delivery, persistence, safety, manufacturing, and scalability.
Experience in autoimmune, neuroimmunology, or immune-mediated diseases.
Exposure to external innovation, platform evaluation, and strategic partnerships.
Prior executive leadership experience in clinical-stage biotech.
Strategic scientific thinker with strong innovation mindset.
Executive presence and ability to influence across levels.
Strong cross-functional collaborator across development, regulatory, and technical teams.
Ability to balance scientific rigor with execution and business priorities.
Clear communicator who translates complex science into strategic decisions.