Neion Bio Appoints James Kehler As Head Of Avian Sciences To Advance Next-Generation Genome Engineering

Neion Bio, a biotechnology company focused on transforming how biologic medicines are produced, announced the appointment of James Kehler, VMD, PhD, as its new Head of Avian Sciences. Dr. Kehler joins the company from Colossal Biosciences, where he served as Vice President of BioSynergy and oversaw several programs combining genome engineering with advanced animal science. His appointment reflects Neion Bio’s effort to strengthen its leadership team in next-generation genome engineering, following the earlier addition of founding geneticist and Chief Scientific Officer Dr. Sven Bocklandt, who also arrived from Colossal Biosciences.

According to Neion Bio’s co-founder and CEO, Dimi Kellari, Dr. Kehler brings a rare capability to translate advanced genetic engineering into practical preclinical and translational programs. As the company prepares to scale its platform toward commercial applications, building a leadership team with deep experience at the forefront of genetic innovation remains a major priority.

Dr. Kehler has more than twenty years of experience developing sophisticated gene-edited animal models and supporting preclinical research for leading biotechnology and pharmaceutical partners. His pioneering achievement in cloning mammals from blood gained wider recognition when it was named one of the Best Inventions of 2025 by TIME magazine.

Earlier in his career, he worked with Dr. Bocklandt on the development of the world’s first gene-edited hypoallergenic cat, an accomplishment that positioned both scientists at the frontier of applied genome engineering. Dr. Kehler earned his VMD and PhD in Cell and Molecular Biology from University of Pennsylvania. He completed postdoctoral training within the National Institutes of Health, including research roles at the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, and the National Cancer Institute.

Throughout his professional career, Dr. Kehler has held leadership positions at several well-known biotechnology organizations. These include Stemgent, now part of REPROCELL, the New York Stem Cell Foundation, now part of The Jackson Laboratory, MTI-GlobalStem, now integrated into Thermo Fisher Scientific, and Mirimus. Across these roles, he led efforts to develop advanced gene-edited animal models that supported translational and preclinical research across multiple therapeutic areas.

In discussing his new role, Dr. Kehler noted that genome engineering has evolved rapidly over the past decade, opening new possibilities for industrial and medical applications. He expressed enthusiasm for joining Neion Bio at a moment when both the company and the field are poised for major growth. He highlighted the potential of applying cutting-edge genetics to biologic medicine manufacturing in ways that may expand both innovation and access.

Dr. Kehler’s appointment reinforces Neion Bio’s commitment to advancing its genome engineering platform toward industrial-scale biologics production. His expertise strengthens the company’s ability to translate scientific breakthroughs into scalable, cost-efficient manufacturing technologies that can support future advances across the biotechnology sector.