Brian Peters
PROGRAM LEAD
Brian Peters is a senior commercial executive with over 30 years of experience in global branding, business development, and product launches across neurology, rheumatology, hematology, cardiology and rare diseases.
Most recently, he served as Chief Strategy & Insights Officer at Heller Agency, leading strategic planning, business development, and market positioning. Prior to that, he spent over a decade at Medexus Pharma, where he oversaw U.S. marketing and sales efforts, launched multiple products, and led a high-performing sales and marketing team that drove significant market share growth. He played an instrumental role in the acquisitions of IXINITY, Grafapex, and Gleolan, expanding Medexus’ U.S. portfolio.
Mr. Peters has held senior marketing and commercial leadership roles at Chiesi USA, Accera, Gilead Sciences, Biovail Pharmaceuticals, and G.D. Searle, playing a pivotal role in product commercialization, marketing strategy, and sales leadership.
He serves on the Future Pharma and PM360 Editorial Advisory Boards and is a frequent speaker at pharmaceutical conferences. Mr. Peters holds a B.A. in Communications from Indiana University Bloomington and is currently a board member of the non-profit organization Cardz for Kidz.
Susan Kamer, DrPH
ADVISOR
Susan Kramer has more than 30 years experience in biopharmaceutical research and development, with the first 18 at Genentech.
She was a co-founder of Corthera, Inc., subsequently acquired by Novartis, and has held senior management and key alliance management roles at a number of biotech companies, including XOMA, Anesiva and Annexon Biosciences. She most recently served as Executive Vice President of Development at Concentric Analgesics. She has led development teams for both protein and small molecule therapeutics in the US and globally.
Dr. Kramer received a BA from College of St. Scholastica, an MA in Education from Central Michigan University and earned her MPH and DrPH in Biomedical Sciences (Virology) from the University of California Berkeley. She has served on numerous science and education boards and committees.
Erik Emerson
ADVISOR
Erik Emerson is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Lōkahi Therapeutics, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company specializing in innovative treatments for osteoarthritis.
He assumed the role of CEO in September 2023. His experience extends from building commercial organizations to extensive fundraising and M&A transactions.
Before joining Lōkahi Therapeutics, Mr. Emerson served as Chief Commercial Officer at Odyssey Health, Inc., where he was instrumental in driving commercial strategies. He also held the position of Chief Commercial Officer at Mezzion Pharmaceuticals, Inc., contributing to the company's growth and market presence.
In 2013, Mr. Emerson co-founded Symplmed Pharmaceuticals LLC and served as its President and Chief Executive Officer, leading the development and commercialization of pharmaceutical products. His earlier career includes roles as Senior Director of Commercial Development at XOMA Corporation and Marketing Director at Gilead Sciences, Inc., where he gained extensive experience in product development and marketing within the pharmaceutical industry.
Mr. Emerson holds an undergraduate degree from the University of Oregon. Erik is the father of 4 and enjoys golf, family, and the beach during his free time.
Coben
ADVISOR
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Kim Life, JD
GENERAL CONSULTANT AND CHIEF OF STAFF
Kim Life is the General Counsel and Chief of Staff at Lōkahi, where she partners with executive leadership to integrate legal, operational, and strategic priorities across the organization.
A licensed attorney with more than 20 years of experience in the life sciences sector, she has advised companies throughout the full product lifecycle, from development through commercialization.
Before joining Lōkahi, Kim served as Managing Partner at Life Law Partners, LLP, providing General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer services to FDA-regulated companies. Earlier in her career, she held a leadership role at Gilead Sciences and practiced litigation and patent law in Washington, DC, representing global pharmaceutical and technology clients.
Kim earned her JD from Duke University School of Law and a BA in Economics with Honors from the University of Iowa. She is admitted to the bars of California and the District of Columbia and is proficient in French and Spanish.
Michael Vaia
SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, TECHNOLOGY
Michael Vaia is the Senior Vice President of Technology at Lokahi Therapeutics, Inc., where he leads the company’s technology strategy and oversees all critical IT functions, including operations, cybersecurity, digital transformation, infrastructure, compliance, and long-term technology roadmapping.
With more than 30 years of IT leadership experience in the pharmaceutical and life sciences industry, Mr. Vaia brings deep expertise in architecting scalable, compliant, and secure technology environments for organizations at all stages of growth. At Lokahi, he has been instrumental in building the company’s technology foundation from the ground up and establishing core systems that support Accounting, Finance, Legal, Regulatory, and Human Resources functions.
Throughout his career, Mr. Vaia has led numerous enterprise-wide initiatives including global system overhauls, cybersecurity modernization programs, digital transformation efforts, and regulatory-driven technology implementations. His leadership spans multiple major pharmaceutical companies, including Abbott, AbbVie, Baxter, Hospira, Shire, and Mezzion Pharmaceuticals.
Beyond his professional work, Michael and his wife have been active contributors to several nonprofit organizations, including serving in various capacities with pic-K (Parents of Infants and Children with Kernicterus) and CureKI. He is a father of three and enjoys family time, golf, and motorcycles outside of work.