James Klein Selected by Adherex to Serve as CFO

Life Science Partner recruits pharma finance executive with entrepreneurial and global R&D experience

Life Science Partner announces the placement of James A. Klein, Jr., as chief financial officer at Adherex Technologies, Inc., to be based in its new Research Triangle Park, North Carolina headquarters. Klein assumes overall responsibility for the company’s financial health and integrity. He will oversee ongoing financing of this publicly traded company, including analysis and review of financial data, reporting performance, and internal operations.

A biopharmaceutical company, Adherex discovers and develops cancer therapeutics through its pioneering platform for tumor vascular targeting.

“James Klein’s broad, varied experience prepares him well for Adherex,” says Life Science Partner Founder and President Thomas H. Callaway. “On the one hand, he directed finance for a $500 million international research operation at Wellcome. On the other hand, he was the start-up CFO of an emerging pharma company. So he’s a proven quantity and a tremendous resource.”

To his experience in finance matters ranging from intellectual property to IPOs to cost controls, Klein adds a firm understanding of the drug development, research organizations, and business management. Klein transitions to Adherex from a company he founded, DataScout Software, which develops data acquisition and management solutions for the pharmaceutical industry.

Previously, Klein was an early employee of Triangle Pharmaceuticals, serving as CFO and treasurer. With Klein managing all financial aspects of the operation, Triangle raised venture capital and held a successful initial public offering.  With a market capitalization of more than $500 million at Triangle, Klein oversaw SEC filings, financial reporting, accounting, budgeting, long-range planning, risk management, as well as investor relations.

At Burroughs, Klein held the titles of international R&D financial controller, senior financial analyst, and various other corporate accounting positions. Here, he held financial responsibility for a $500 million, international R&D operation. In addition to financial reporting, Klein guided business plans for new product acquisitions; managed facilities expansions; and served as a member of the international integration committee during the Glaxo-Wellcome merger.

Klein earned his accounting degree at the University of Mississippi. He is a certified public accountant in the state of North Carolina.