Esteemed life sciences attorney Barbara Kosacz joins Scripps Research Board of Directors

June 03, 2024


LA JOLLA, CA–Scripps Research’s vision to translate basic scientific discovery into effective treatments that benefit human health strikes a chord with Barbara Kosacz, JD—making her addition to the institution’s Board of Directors fitting.

Kosacz has dedicated her career to supporting the biotech and biopharma industry through business strategy and legal roles. Her more than 30 years of experience has earned her numerous accolades, including recognition by Best Lawyers in America as 2018’s Biotechnology Lawyer of the Year, and solidified her as one of the country’s top life sciences attorneys. Kosacz’s particular focus is on the structuring and negotiation of complex collaborations and partnerships and other strategic transactions.

Kosacz most recently served, from 2020 to 2024, as Chief Operating Officer and General Counsel of Kronos Bio, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company that identifies and develops novel cancer therapeutics based on dysregulated transcription. In her role at the company, she structured and negotiated multiple collaborations, and helped navigate Kronos Bio through its initial public offering—positioning the company for future success.

Ms. Kosacz is a thought leader on deal making in the industry and has served as a member of the BIO Emerging Companies’ Section Governing Board, the business advisory board of Locust Walk Partners, and as a guest lecturer at the law and business schools of UC Berkeley, Stanford University, Columbia University and University of Pennsylvania. 

In addition to her role as a Scripps Research board member, Kosacz will utilize her experience advising a diverse set of companies in her role on the board’s Calibr Committee, which oversees the Calibr-Skaggs Institute for Innovative Medicines—the drug discovery arm of Scripps Research.

Kosacz also sits on the board of directors of Athira Pharma and XOMA Corporation. She received her J.D. degree from the University of California, Berkeley School of Law, and her bachelor’s degree from Stanford University.


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