James A. Barlow serves on the Board of Directors of Persevere Therapeutics. He is a seasoned biotech CEO and board-level leader with over 25 years of experience in oncology-focused biopharma, spanning business development, clinical development strategy, capital formation, and commercialization. Mr. Barlow currently serves as President, Chief Executive Officer, and a Board member of ImmunoGenesis, a venture-backed immuno-oncology company developing next-generation therapies designed to overcome resistance to immune checkpoint blockade.

Founded out of MD Anderson Cancer Center in 2019, ImmunoGenesis has been built by Mr. Barlow from its earliest stages — establishing the company’s scientific strategy, operating model, and culture. He has led the successful raise of more than $110 million in dilutive and non-dilutive capital, including institutional venture financing and competitive grants and investments from the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT) and the MD Anderson Cancer Focus Fund, accomplished through creative financing solutions in a challenging funding environment. Under his leadership, ImmunoGenesis has advanced multiple assets into the clinic, secured two IND approvals, and generated early clinical signals from its lead program, IMGS-001.

Beyond his operating leadership, Mr. Barlow brings a strong advisory perspective shaped by extensive experience working with boards, investors, and funding organizations to evaluate scientific opportunity, clinical risk, and capital allocation. He is well-versed in portfolio prioritization, translational strategy, and balancing scientific ambition with financial discipline — particularly for oncology programs advancing from discovery into clinical development. His approach emphasizes rigorous assessment of data, thoughtful risk management, and alignment of scientific strategy with long-term value creation for patients, stakeholders, and the broader cancer research ecosystem.

Prior to ImmunoGenesis, Mr. Barlow served as Vice President of Operations and Business Development at Geneos Therapeutics, where he played a central role in spinning the company out of Inovio Pharmaceuticals, securing Series A financing, negotiating exclusive IP licenses, and advancing the company from financing to IND in under nine months. Earlier in his career, he held senior commercial and strategic roles at Inovio Pharmaceuticals, Bristol Myers Squibb, and Merck & Co., contributing to the launch and lifecycle management of multiple oncology products, including YERVOY® and OPDIVO®.

Mr. Barlow began his career in investment banking and private equity, providing a strong foundation in capital markets, financial strategy, and value creation. He holds an MBA with Honors from the Tepper School of Business at Carnegie Mellon University, where he was a Dean’s Scholar, and a B.A. in Mathematical Economics, summa cum laude, from Colgate University, where he was elected to Phi Beta Kappa.