Vice President/Senior Vice President, Research

POSITION SUMMARY

The Amunix VP/SVP of Research will provide research leadership across discovery and preclinical research, be responsible for all Preclinical Development Sciences functions (in vitro and in vivo pharmacology, translational biology, and toxicology), and provide expertise and insight into critical aspects of target credentialing in immuno-oncology and inflammation. In collaboration with the company’s Chief Technology Officer (CTO), this individual will establish the Company's strategic research plan in support of the Company's portfolio strategy. He/she will translate the strategy into action from basic research through completion of IND enabling studies and finalization of regulatory documents enabling FIH studies. Working with the CTO, the VP/SVP of Research will oversee the design of the organization’s products and investigate new technologies. The VP/SVP of Research will provide guidance on scientific-and immunology-related matters to the leaders across the company, outside collaborators, and scientific/regulatory agencies.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Leads preclinical development sciences, including in vitro pharmacology, in vivo pharmacology, toxicology, and translational biology.
• In collaboration with the CTO, leads development of research strategy/goals, and leads the biology team in the achievement of corporate objectives
• Develops research plans with the corresponding budgets and resource requirements, and ensures that the plans are executed on time and on budget
• Leads biology team in finalizing nonclinical study reports and in writing regulatory documents for FIH studies
• Ensures clear and complete record keeping for all internal and external research projects and preclinical research regulatory documents
• Contributes to early evaluation of the intellectual property landscape for all products
• Works with Chief Medical Officer to evaluate clinical product candidates, and designs and executes any relevant additional research regarding mechanism of action, combination strategies, and new indications
• Generate ideas for novel scientific projects to be initiated by the company
• Provides scientific leadership for pipeline prioritization within and between indications, and within and between programs
• Communicates in a timely and effective manner with executive management and collaborators
• Builds and maintains strong, effective relationships with vendors, consultants, and other external partners

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS:

The VP/SVP of Research will report directly to Darcy Mootz, Ph.D, the Head of Amunix. This position will have all Preclinical Development Sciences functions (in vitro and in vivo pharmacology, translational biology, and toxicology) reporting into it.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Ph.D. in Immunology, Biology, Biochemistry or related field
• Scientific broad technical expertise in immunology and tumor biology, biochemistry, molecular biology and related scientific disciplines
• Minimum of 15 years of biotechnology/pharmaceutical related experience, including experience performing immuno-oncology research
• Experience with writing regulatory documents to support FIH studies
• Strong work ethic with expectation of excellence from self and others. Must have high personal credibility and outstanding written communication skills on scientific topics
• Strong interpersonal and presentation skills, good judgment and ability to communicate with a diverse range of individuals; must be persuasive, strong at building relationships, able to distill complex information into a simple message, and comfortable and experienced at presenting to audiences of peers
• Must be a highly effective communicator who is able to establish collaborative internal and external working relationships, present ideas clearly and be perceived by others as approachable and accessible
• Adaptability, flexibility, independence and resourcefulness to roll up sleeves and multi-task in order to thrive and lead in a small company environment
• Strong scientific leadership experience, including experience leading multi-disciplinary project teams
• Self-starter who works with a sense of urgency and functions as a strong team player effectively working with and leading other disciplines

ABOUT AMUNIX

Amunix is a Sanofi Center of Excellence that is leveraging our expertise in precision protein engineering to enable the promise of T cell engagers in solid tumors. Our goal is to improve the lives of people with cancer in pursuit of cures through the development and commercialization of breakthrough therapies that harness the immune system. We have designed XTEN, a validated therapeutic half-life extension technology. Our current focus is Pro-XTEN, a next-generation protease activated pro-drug platform, which enables selective activation of potent cancer therapies in the tumor microenvironment. This overcomes a common challenge facing potent immune system activators: on-target, off-tumor toxicity. Amunix’s lead programs employ the Pro-XTEN technology to enhance the safety profile of T cell engagers. XPATs (XTENylated Protease-Activated T Cell Engagers) have the potential to make off-the-shelf therapies redirecting T cells to solid tumors a reality.

Amunix provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, Amunix complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfers, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

Please be advised that Amunix requires that all employees have the COVID-19 vaccination to work onsite, unless the employee has an approved medical or religious exemption.