Our Team

Jeffrey R. Spencer, Ph.D., Founder and Chief Executive Officer

Jeffrey R. Spencer brings more than 20 years of experience in small molecule drug discovery and development to STATegics, Inc., focusing on novel treatments for rare and neuromuscular diseases, including Friedreich’s ataxia. Dr. Spencer founded STATegics to advance the therapeutic and commercial potential of innovative small molecules targeting cytokine receptors.  Based on STATegics’ discoveries, he has raised seed capital to support research through several small business and preclinical development grant awards from the government and private foundations.  Prior to STATegics, Dr. Spencer led Discovery Medicinal Chemistry at Celera Genomics in South San Francisco, CA, overseeing preclinical programs in inflammatory conditions and cancer. He held several positions of increasing responsibility and supported screening-to-development programs including a novel treatment for cancer (Abexinostat).  Dr. Spencer received a Ph.D. in organic chemistry at the University of California at San Diego and conducted postdoctoral studies at the California Institute of Technology.  

James L. Miller, Ph.D., Director of Biology

James L. Miller is a trained neuroscientist with over 25 years of research and drug discovery experience, focusing on innovative approaches to treat diseases of the central nervous system including Friedreich's Ataxia, traumatic brain injury, Alzheimer's disease, neuropathic pain, and autoimmune-disease. Prior to joining STATegics in 2011, Dr. Miller led in vitro pharmacology at Elan Pharmaceuticals supporting lead discovery and optimization for multiple programs within pain, Alzheimer’s and autoimmune therapeutic areas. While at Neurex Corporation, he participated in the preclinical development of Prialt® (ziconotide), a first-in-class N-type calcium channel antagonist for the treatment of neuropathic pain.  More recently, Dr. Miller supported preclinical development of TI-001, an intranasal formulation of oxytocin for treatment of high frequency episodic migraine and chronic migraine, currently in phase 2. Dr. Miller received his post-doctoral training in neuroscience and physiology at the UCSF Medical Center in San Francisco.  He is Principal Investigator of a small business grant awarded to STATegics by the National Institutes of Health.