Responsibilities:
- Directly supervise and manage day-to-day activities of the R&D Chemistry Peptidomimetic group; set vision and short-/long-term goals.
- Generate novel peptidomimetic drug modalities using medicinal chemistry SAR and synthetically feasible, simplistically designed linkers to optimize in vitro and in vivo properties of antibody-conjugated therapeutics.
- Troubleshoot and optimize peptide potency and stability (e.g., Ala scans), including non-natural amino acid incorporation and alpha-Me/N-Me backbone modifications; guide by in vitro assays, plasma/serum stability, and MET ID data.
- Lead internal/external project efforts, multitask in parallel, and contribute to a continuous pipeline of development candidates.
- Identify new strategies/technologies (e.g., linker and payload design) to improve peptidomimetic synthesis and bioconjugation platforms.
- Participate in departmental, cross-functional, leadership, and external meetings; represent the groupβs vision.
- Collaborate broadly across teams to forge relationships and active collaborations.
Required/Qualifications:
- Ph.D. in peptide and/or synthetic organic chemistry (or related field).
- 10+ years of professional industry experience.
- Extensive experience in antibody-targeted peptidomimetic drug modalities; synthesis/manufacturing of peptidomimetic payloads and linkers; medicinal chemistry SAR methods; deep understanding of biological MOAs (extracellular/intracellular target evaluation, ADME/PK, PD/efficacy, toxicology).
- Track record advancing molecules into the clinic and building/leading teams (peptidomimetics, small molecules, or antibody-targeted therapeutics).