Chief Scientific Officer

Our client is an emerging stealth-mode biotech in preclinical stages revolutionizing cancer treatment with a breakthrough technology for targeted siRNA delivery to tumor cells.

They have retained us to assist in their search for a Chief Scientific Officer.

Major tasks and responsibilities include :

• Shape and implement the long-term scientific vision and strategy for the company's oncology portfolio.
• Re-evaluate and confirm CD47 as a knockdown target to support final nomination of our client’s investigational drug as a development candidate.
• Accountable for cross-functional team performance, including vendor management, IND-enabling study plans, clinical protocol development, and pre-IND meeting preparation.
• Oversee mechanism of action studies aimed at establishing SIRPα / CD47-mediated tumor-targeted delivery and siRNA-mediated knockdown of target proteins with downstream translation to competitive anti-tumor efficacy.
• Lead target selection activities to prioritize pipeline build efforts considering scientific aspects, clinical unmet need, and commercial opportunity.
• Oversee Proof of Concept (PoC) for modularity of the platform technology to establish reason to believe for custom asset design at speed to enable potential partnering opportunities.
• Maintain a fluent command of trends and developments in oncology research and development (R&D), RNAi science, and siRNA / degrader delivery competitive landscape.
• People management of scientific staff and establishment of a scalable career ladder framework.
• Foster a culture of scientific excellence, innovation, and collaboration within the R&D team.
• Lead initiatives to mature the organization to be phase-I-ready with a focus on data integrity and development of objective criteria to assess portfolio assets through milestone progression.
• Lead scientific components of fundraising activities, including pitch deck preparation, budget and timeline forecasting to achieve key future milestones, balancing differentiation with proven risk-reducing reason to believe, data room curation, and participation in investor meetings.
• Develop a framework for social media presence and website ahead of emergence from stealth mode.
• Provide external thought leadership in the areas of immuno-oncology, extrahepatically targeted delivery of siRNA and entrepreneurship, including participation in conferences, industry events, stakeholder engagements, and local mentorship programs (any potential non-competing Scientific Advisory Board or Independent Director opportunities require explicit approval from our client’s Board of Directors).

We seek candidates with the following qualifications :

• An advanced degree (Ph.D., MD, or equivalent) in a relevant scientific discipline is required.
• Must have extensive experience in the pharmaceutical / biotech industry, with a proven track record of establishing and leading high-performing discovery and translational teams.

This includes managing outsourcing activities, organizational structuring, and effectively recruiting, developing, and retaining top talent.

• Requires expertise in advanced therapies (cell and gene therapies) and RNAi therapeutics. The ideal candidate should be well-regarded within the related sector, possessing a strong professional network.
• Comprehensive experience in progressing drug candidates from selection through to clinical PoC is required.
• Must have the demonstrated ability to collaborate successfully with other departments to deliver high-quality drug candidates in innovative modalities.

This includes working synergistically with academic laboratories to integrate specialized, complementary insights into drug discovery programs.

• Requires a proven track record of successfully advancing drug candidates to IND submissions, clinical development, and ideally, commercialization.
• Requires in-depth knowledge and understanding of the drug development process, Good Laboratory Practices (GLP), and regulatory requirements.
• Must uphold the highest standards of professional integrity with a patient-centric approach.
• Requires strong, natural leadership capabilities with the ability to mentor and manage team members across various scientific disciplines.
• Must have excellent written and verbal communication skills, capable of presenting complex data to diverse audiences.

If interested, please apply directly to this job posting. No calls please. Include your daytime phone number and we will contact you confidentially or reply to your email.

Fairway Consulting Group is included in Hunt Scanlon’s list of Top 40 Life Sciences Search Firms and Forbes' list of Top 150 Best Executive Recruiting Firms.