History of Autoimmunity Research

Dr. C. Garrison (Garry) Fathman is an internationally recognized immunologist and clinician-scientist whose pioneering immunology research has significantly shaped the field of immune regulation and tolerance. He serves as Professor of Medicine (Emeritus) at Stanford University School of Medicine and is the Founding Director of the Stanford Institute for Immunology, Transplantation and Infection (ITI). Dr. Fathman’s career has been defined by translational discoveries that connect molecular immunology with clinical application—most notably the identification of a druggable defect in the interleukin-2 receptor (IL-2 receptor signaling) pathway in patients with autoimmune disease, which is the foundational insight behind TRegRx’s therapeutic platform focused on regulatory T cells. He has authored over 300 peer-reviewed publications, served on numerous NIH study sections and advisory boards, and has been recognized as a thought leader in T-cell biology, immune tolerance, and autoimmune disease research.

Dr. Luis Soares is a distinguished molecular immunologist and translational researcher, recognized for his pioneering contributions to the field of immune regulation. As a researcher at the Stanford University School of Medicine, Dr. Soares has significantly advanced the understanding of T-cell signaling and immune homeostasis. His groundbreaking discovery of IL-2 receptor desensitization in patients with autoimmune diseases served as the scientific foundation for the creation of TRegRx.

Dr. Soares' research focuses on the molecular mechanisms governing T-cell activation, immune tolerance, and the stability of regulatory T-cells. His expertise spans cytokine signaling, ubiquitination-neddylation pathways, and immunology-driven drug discovery. Through collaborations with leading academic institutions and industry partners, Dr. Soares is committed to translating fundamental immunological insights into innovative, targeted therapeutics aimed at restoring immune balance and addressing immune-mediated diseases.

Dr. Soares completed his graduate studies at UCLA, followed by postdoctoral research at both UCSF and Stanford University.

Dr. Peter Milner is a physician, scientist, and serial entrepreneur with a distinguished career spanning biotechnology innovation, clinical medicine, and company leadership. As CEO and President of TRegRx, he leads the company’s mission to translate decades of immunology research into first-in-class therapeutics that restore immune tolerance through precision repair of T-cell signaling and IL-2 receptor signaling. Trained as a cardiologist, Dr. Milner earned his M.D. from the University of Toronto and completed postdoctoral research at Stanford University in the laboratory of Dr. Eugene Braunwald, where he contributed to seminal work in cardiovascular biology. He later transitioned into biotechnology, co-founding and leading multiple successful ventures, including ARCA Biopharma (NASDAQ: ABIO), CohBar Inc. (NASDAQ: CWBR), and Heart Metabolics, which advanced novel metabolic therapies to clinical stage. At TRegRX, Dr. Milner combines his experience in translational medicine and company building to advance a platform addressing the root causes of autoimmune disease—restoring immune balance through regulatory T cells rather than suppressing it. He also serves as a board member and advisor to several biotechnology startups and investment groups focused on precision medicine and immune modulation.

Dr. Hurt is an accomplished medicinal chemist and biotechnology executive with over 25 years of experience in drug discovery, organic synthesis, and translational chemistry. As Chief Scientific Officer at TRegRx, he oversees the company’s scientific strategy and R&D initiatives, driving the development of innovative conjugated therapeutics aimed at restoring immune balance by repairing defective regulatory T cell signaling.

Prior to his role at TRegRx, Dr. Hurt held senior leadership and research positions at several prestigious pharmaceutical companies, including Tranquis Therapeutics, ChemoCentryx, and Pfizer. He has successfully led multidisciplinary teams in the discovery and development of both small molecules and biologics across a range of therapeutic areas, including immunology, oncology, metabolic diseases, and neurodegenerative disorders.

Dr. Hurt's expertise spans medicinal chemistry, protein–drug conjugation, and preclinical development, with a proven track record of advancing early-stage discoveries into viable therapeutic candidates. He earned his Ph.D. in Medicinal Chemistry from the University of Michigan, conducted postdoctoral research in organic chemistry at the University of California, Berkeley, and holds a B.S. in Chemistry from Haverford College.