About Senda:
Senda Biosciences, Inc. is committed to bringing life-changing treatments to patients by harnessing millennia of evolution to program human cells both within and to the cell. Senda’s proprietary platform is the first to leverage a universal chemical addressing code of natural nanoparticles that enable cross-kingdom intercellular communication. This platform unlocks comprehensive programming of medicines for the first time, allowing Senda to develop a new class of SendRNA™ medicines focused initially on powering new frontiers in immunology mRNA-based therapies, with future applications employing other information molecules, including siRNA, gene editors, proteins, and peptides. Headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Senda was founded by Flagship Pioneering.
The Position:
The Head of Biology will be responsible for leading Senda’s biology and pharmacology functions working at the intersection of platform and application. The incumbent will help to shape Senda’s target identification and validation strategy as well as help to build and optimize our programable medicines platform working closely with all research and development functions across the organization. The candidate will be responsible for execution from target ID through validation, lead optimization and in collaboration with leaders across the organization. Reporting to the Chief Platform Officer this person will work closely with the Executive Leadership team and be a key member of Senda’s R&D leadership.
Job Responsibilities:
- Manage and develop a team of scientists to successfully identify, validate, and translate targets from identification through lead development.
- Work with functions across Senda to continue to optimize and refine our programable medicines platform.
- Manage and advance in vivo and in vitro pharmacology functions using internal and CRO resources.
- Establish a roadmap and build capabilities to achieve balanced infrastructure leveraging both internal expertise and external resources and drive internal and external execution of research programs, including leveraging CROs
- Provide key insights and oversight of early target prioritization cross team functionalization and disease/indication expansion.
- Contribute to deliver and present key data packages and data-driven scientific updates to the organization that impact pipeline milestones including Study Report sections, regulatory submissions, internal and external scientific updates such as abstracts/manuscripts for publication.
- Identify external advisors, KOLs and collaborators to help advance our platform and target validation efforts.
- Define overall strategies for highly innovative drug discovery programs from target ID to hit identification, lead selection, and candidate nomination.
- Develop team to become future project champions and leaders that work across disciplines, including Research, Discovery, Translational Groups, and CMC
Job Qualifications:
- Ph.D. in Biology or related scientific discipline with 10+ years of experience in an industry or academic setting. (Industry strongly preferred)
- Track record of leading and building teams with diverse backgrounds and skill sets
- Proven background in identifying and executing on novel targets
- Prior experience working in or applying novel platforms
- Experience in nanoparticle-based therapeutics and nucleic acid modalities such as mRNA, siRNA and gene editing.
- Experience in the design, execution, and interpretation of pre-clinical in-vivo pharmacology studies.
- Experience with the drafting of relevant regulatory submissions
- A self-starter with demonstrated ability to work in a fast-paced environment, diplomatically and tactfully with others.
- Must have the proven ability to advise senior leaders effectively.
- Must have superior interpersonal and organizational skills, along with a demonstrated ability to think strategically and critically and consistently exercise sound judgment.
- Proven track record of coordinating multiple programs simultaneously, moving projects forward, and developing and implementing creative, solution-oriented strategies while anticipating future demands and opportunities.
Senda Biosciences is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Senda does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, national origin, veteran status, or any other status protected under federal, state, or local law.
