Director/Sr Director, Toxicology & Preclinical Pharmacology
Viking Therapeutics, Inc.
August 17, 2026
Remote friendly (San Diego, CA)
United States
Clinical Research and Development
Director or Senior Director, Preclinical Pharmacology/Toxicology
Responsibilities:
- Lead nonclinical in vitro and in vivo pharmacology and toxicology strategies for obesity and metabolic disease programs.
- Design, monitor, and interpret GLP and non-GLP toxicology, safety pharmacology, exploratory mechanistic studies, and juvenile/reproductive toxicology programs as applicable.
- Serve as scientific lead for CRO interactions, study oversight, and data review.
- Integrate pharmacology, pharmacokinetic, toxicokinetic, pathology, and biomarker data to support lead selection, optimization, and development decisions.
- Contribute to INDs, Investigator’s Brochures, briefing books, NDAs, and other regulatory submissions.
- Collaborate with clinical and translational teams to support dose selection and risk assessment.
- Evaluate emerging literature and the competitive landscape in obesity and metabolic disease therapeutics.
- Mentor junior scientists and build scientific capabilities.
- Support strategic planning for combination and next-generation metabolic therapies.
- Other duties as assigned.
Requirements:
- PhD, DVM, PharmD, or equivalent degree in Pharmacology, Toxicology, Physiology, or related discipline.
- 10+ years of experience in biotechnology or pharmaceutical industry.
- Preferred: metabolic disease pharmacology/obesity therapeutics; GLP-compliant toxicology; translational science.
- Experience supporting IND-enabling programs.
- Familiarity with ICH nonclinical guidelines and other regulatory guidance.
- Understanding of peptide therapeutics and small-molecule drug development.
Skills:
- Experience with GLP-1/GIP/amylin or related metabolic pathways; combination therapies; acute/chronic toxicology; DMPK/TK interpretation.
- Prior interactions with FDA and global regulatory agencies.
- Experience managing external CRO networks and budgets.
- Ability to thrive in a fast-paced biotech environment managing multiple concurrent programs.
- Self-motivated; excellent written and verbal communication.
Responsibilities:
- Lead nonclinical in vitro and in vivo pharmacology and toxicology strategies for obesity and metabolic disease programs.
- Design, monitor, and interpret GLP and non-GLP toxicology, safety pharmacology, exploratory mechanistic studies, and juvenile/reproductive toxicology programs as applicable.
- Serve as scientific lead for CRO interactions, study oversight, and data review.
- Integrate pharmacology, pharmacokinetic, toxicokinetic, pathology, and biomarker data to support lead selection, optimization, and development decisions.
- Contribute to INDs, Investigator’s Brochures, briefing books, NDAs, and other regulatory submissions.
- Collaborate with clinical and translational teams to support dose selection and risk assessment.
- Evaluate emerging literature and the competitive landscape in obesity and metabolic disease therapeutics.
- Mentor junior scientists and build scientific capabilities.
- Support strategic planning for combination and next-generation metabolic therapies.
- Other duties as assigned.
Requirements:
- PhD, DVM, PharmD, or equivalent degree in Pharmacology, Toxicology, Physiology, or related discipline.
- 10+ years of experience in biotechnology or pharmaceutical industry.
- Preferred: metabolic disease pharmacology/obesity therapeutics; GLP-compliant toxicology; translational science.
- Experience supporting IND-enabling programs.
- Familiarity with ICH nonclinical guidelines and other regulatory guidance.
- Understanding of peptide therapeutics and small-molecule drug development.
Skills:
- Experience with GLP-1/GIP/amylin or related metabolic pathways; combination therapies; acute/chronic toxicology; DMPK/TK interpretation.
- Prior interactions with FDA and global regulatory agencies.
- Experience managing external CRO networks and budgets.
- Ability to thrive in a fast-paced biotech environment managing multiple concurrent programs.
- Self-motivated; excellent written and verbal communication.