Ph.D. or M.D./Ph.D. in a relevant scientific discipline
15+ years of drug development experience in biotech or pharma
Proven track record of advancing multiple programs into Phase 1/2 studies
Experience accelerating at least one program to the clinic
Deep expertise in small molecule drug development, including pharmacokinetics and toxicology
Strong leadership skills with experience managing teams and external partners
Excellent communication skills for diverse audiences, including investors and the Board
Responsibilities
Define and lead the translational strategy for drug programs from candidate nomination through Phase 1/2
Guide go/no go decisions across biology and translational strategies
Own the translational strategy for moving molecules from discovery to clinical development
Collaborate with senior leadership on dose selection and clinical endpoints
Contribute to regulatory strategy and represent science in FDA interactions
Lead and develop a high-performing translational science team
Communicate program strategy and data to investors and the Board
Benefits
Inclusive and balanced team culture
Encouragement to apply even if all criteria are not met
Opportunity to shape the translational science function in a growing company
Full Job Description
The Opportunity
Renasant Bio is seeking a Senior Vice President, Translational Science to lead its programs from late discovery into the clinic. This is a new role, created as the company moves its lead programs toward development candidate nomination and first in human studies and will report directly to the Chief Scientific Officer.
The SVP, Translational Science, will act as one of our senior drug developers overseeing biology and translational science. They will bring the judgment that comes from having taken multiple small molecule programs through preclinical development and into Phase 1/2 trials. They will own the path from Renasant's biology into the clinic, with a primary focus on IND enabling work, early clinical strategy and the first studies in patients, grounded in a strong command of disease models and biomarkers.
Responsibilities
Translational strategy and drug development
Define and lead the translational strategy for Renasant's corrector and potentiator programs, from development candidate nomination through Phase 1/2.
Serve as the company's translational science voice, guiding go/no go decisions across biology, translational and related strategies that support our programs
Own the translational strategy to support bringing molecules from discovery into clinical development
Partner with our Chief Discovery Officer and Chief Medical Officer on decisions related to dose selection, endpoints and other related readouts.
Regulatory and external engagement
Contribute to regulatory strategy and represent the science in pre-IND and other interactions with FDA and other agencies.
Leadership
Lead and continuously develop a highly performing translational science team.
Serve as a thought partner to the CSO, CDO, CEO and senior leadership team and work closely with research leadership and the Board.
Communicate program strategy and data clearly to investors, partners and the Board.
Qualifications
Ph.D. or M.D./Ph.D. in a relevant scientific discipline
15+ years of drug development experience in biotech or pharma, with a proven record as a seasoned drug developer.
Demonstrated success taking multiple programs or proofs of concept from preclinical development into Phase 1 or Phase 2 studies in patients.
Has successfully accelerated at least one program to the clinic.
Deep small molecule drug development experience, including pharmacokinetics, pharmacology, toxicology and the path to IND is required.
Experience spanning multiple therapeutic areas; renal experience is not required but considered ideal.
Track record of building, managing and developing teams, and managing external partners such as CROs.
Strong scientific judgment, with the ability to make clear decisions on incomplete data.
Excellent communication skills with scientific, executive, Board and investor audiences.
Has served as a trusted thought partner to senior leadership teams.
Preferred
Experience in rare diseases, genetic or chronic diseases, including programs built on natural history data or surrogate endpoints.
Biomarker strategy experience, including imaging biomarkers or regulatory biomarker qualifications.
Direct experience leading regulatory interactions, including pre-IND meetings with FDA.
Hands on experience designing and running Phase 1 and Phase 2 studies with clinical teams.
Experience with protein folding correctors, potentiators or ion channel drugs, such as in cystic fibrosis.
Experience building a function at an early-stage, venture-backed company.
We believe in building an inclusive and balanced team. We also know meeting every single-exact-criteria can get in the way of meeting stellar folks. Please don't hesitate to apply!
