Sr. Manager / Associate Director, RNA Therapy New Product Lead
Cambridge, MA or China · Full-time
Reports To: VP of Product
Company Overview:
METiS Pharmaceuticals Inc is a well-funded biotech start-up building our office in Cambridge, MA. We have a unique technology platform that has the potential to drive best-in class drug assets in a wide range of therapeutic areas. Through the integration of machine learning, quantum simulation, and high-throughput experimentation, we enable scientists to rapidly, comprehensively, and intelligently develop novel drug candidates. METiS is founded by an enthusiastic team of MIT researchers and serial entrepreneurs. Our cross-disciplinary expertise and deep industry experiences allow METiS to harness AI to boldly deliver revolutionary therapies for patients with serious diseases.
Summary:
METiS seeks to fill multiple vacancies in our RNA new product development team based in our US (Cambridge) and China (Hangzhou, Beijing, Shanghai) sites. This is an exceptional opportunity for talented, motivated, and proven leaders (or to-be leaders) to develop and advance our current preclinical portfolio and shape the future of RNA therapeutics with our technology. We have built a strong AI+RNA Delivery Platform and the new product leads will help bring impactful RNA-based experimental medicines to patients. They will focus on discovery and preclinical development of new RNA therapeutics, driving discovery efforts from product ideation, target identification/validation, lead optimization through to IND-filing, yielding promising clinical candidates. The successful candidate must be an outstanding and rigorous scientist by training while ambitious in creating both clinical and business value. The ideal candidate should also have great teamworking, communication and project management skills as well as the determination to thrive in a fast-paced/results-oriented start-up environment.
Responsibilities:
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Help form overall product strategy in METiS’ focus disease areas by working closely with management, product, and technology teams, including identifying patient populations of focus with clear articulation of scientific rationale while balancing market opportunity, competitive landscape, and medical need
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Identify specific signaling pathways to modulate and generate concrete concepts of how our technology should be deployed for gain and loss of function approaches
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Project-manage discovery and early preclinical development efforts to advance new RNA therapy approaches from discovery through IND filings, including defining project timelines as well as interdependencies, risks, avenues to mitigate risks, coordinating with cross-functional teams from Computation, Toxicology, DMPK, Regulatory, Clinical, etc. (depending on degree of development)
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Work side-by-side with management and BD team on assessing external collaboration and licensing opportunities
Minimum Qualifications:
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Advanced degrees (PhD, MD) in Biology, Biochemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Medicine, Bioinformatics, or other Life Sciences related field
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Minimum 2 years biopharma or related experience
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Ability to identify unmet medical needs through literature reading and KOL interviews, conduct scientific and market research and develop financial models to quantify market potential
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Ability to understand and contribute to experimental design for target validation, lead optimization, etc.
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Strong project management skills with ability to effectively multi-task and a willingness to perform a wide range of tasks
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Strong communication skills; working proficiency in English, Chinese-speaking not required
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Highly proficient in Microsoft Office suite (Outlook, Excel, Word, PowerPoint).
Preferred Qualifications:
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Experience in drug discovery/preclinical development in industry preferred but not required
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Experience assessing product opportunity from commercial perspective (e.g., consulting, investment, BD) preferred but not required
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Experience in RNA or protein drug discovery
RECRUITING & STAFFING AGENCIES: METiS Therapeutics does not accept unsolicited resumes from any source other than candidates. The submission of unsolicited resumes by recruitment or staffing agencies to METiS or its employees is strictly prohibited unless contacted directly by METiS recruiting team. Any resume submitted by an agency in the absence of a signed agreement will automatically become the property of METiS, and METiS will not owe any referral or other fees with respect thereto.