Director, LNP Formulation

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Company Summary:

Tessera Therapeutics is an early-stage life sciences company pioneering Gene Writing, a new biotechnology designed to offer scientists and clinicians the ability to write small and large therapeutic messages into the genome, thereby curing diseases at their source. Gene Writing holds the potential to become a new category in genetic medicine, building upon recent breakthroughs in gene therapy and gene editing while eliminating important limitations in their reach, utilization, and efficacy. Tessera Therapeutics was founded by Flagship Pioneering, a life sciences innovation enterprise that conceives, resources, and develops first-in-category companies to transform human health and sustainability.

Position Summary:

Tessera Therapeutics is seeking an Director of LNP Formulation. This person will oversee a team of scientists and engineers, and be responsible for LNP synthesis process development, formulation process development, process scale-up, process execution to make material for preclinical studies, tech transfer to GMP facilities, and development of scale-down models, amongst others. They will bring deep molecular biology, biochemical engineering, and process development expertise.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Lead the LNP production/formulations team
  • Manage a core function within the team to produce, characterize, and optimize LNPs
  • Contribute to development of an LNP formulation process, with an emphasis on formulation definition, process robustness, scale-up, and stability.
  • Screen lipids to identify compatibility with Gene Writer technology and drug targets in collaboration with the platform team
  • Lead selection, tech transfer, and coordination of contract manufacturing organizations (CMOs) for GxP material supply
  • Define technical requirements of the process unit operations for implementation at CMO, including equipment specification/selection, draft procedures and recommended operating parameters/ranges, and raw materials definition and preparation.
  • Write protocols and technical reports to support drug product clinical development.
  • Organize workstreams and complete individual and team objectives to maintain project timelines.
  • Manage interactions across the company on behalf of the team to ensure alignment of the team’s activity with company priorities
  • Build and lead a team of research associates and scientist
  • Responsible for mentoring a team of scientists in the laboratory and supporting the design, execution and interpretation of experimental studies

Basic Qualifications:

  • MS with 12+ years or PhD with 8+ years of relevant industrial experience. Degree emphasis in Biochemistry, Chemical Engineering, Molecular Biology, Bioengineering, Genetics or related field is preferred
  • Technical understanding and experience in biopharmaceutical process manufacturing operations in an industrial cGMP environment
  • Understanding of lipid chemistry, lipid modifications, lipid synthesis, and standard analytical techniques for macromolecules.
  • In-depth understanding of DSP operations of biologics such as chromatography and ultrafiltration is required. A proven track record of purifying multiple drug modalities is strongly preferred.
  • Hands-on experience delivering mRNA is a plus
  • Experience with Technology Transfer of manufacturing processes
  • Experience with high-throughput process development techniques and statistical design of experiments (DoE) strongly preferred.
  • Understanding of requirements for development of biologics including requirements for product comparability.
  • Experience in working with vendors.
  • Track record of completing deliverables within specified timelines.
  • Knowledge of GMP/ICH/FDA regulations strongly preferred.
  • Demonstrated understanding of the current therapeutic discovery and development process, especially in gene therapy, gene editing, mRNA, RNAi, or antisense
  • A strong self-starter, independent thinker, with a strong attention to detail
  • Excellent communication and presentation skills, capable of conveying technical information in a clear and thorough manner
  • The ability to effectively influence the work of others
  • Eager to work with highly skilled and dynamic teams in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial and technical setting
  • Experience managing multiple bench researchers

 

More About Flagship Pioneering

Flagship Pioneering conceives, creates, resources, and develops first-in-category life sciences companies to transform human health and sustainability. Since its launch in 2000, the firm has, through its Flagship Labs unit, applied its unique hypothesis-driven innovation process to originate and foster more than 100 scientific ventures, resulting in over $50B in aggregate value. To date, Flagship has deployed over $2.2B in capital toward the founding and growth of its pioneering companies alongside more than $18B of follow-on investments from other institutions. The current Flagship ecosystem comprises 41 transformative companies, including Axcella Health (NASDAQ: AXLA), Denali Therapeutics (NASDAQ: DNLI), Evelo Biosciences (NASDAQ: EVLO), Foghorn Therapeutics (NASDAQ: FHTX), Indigo Ag, Kaleido Biosciences (NASDAQ: KLDO), Moderna (NASDAQ: MRNA), Rubius Therapeutics (NASDAQ: RUBY), Sana Biotechnology, Seres Therapeutics (NASDAQ: MCRB), and Sigilon Therapeutics (NASDAQ: SGTX).

Flagship Pioneering and our ecosystem companies are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status.

Recruitment & Staffing Agencies:  Flagship Pioneering and its affiliated Flagship Lab companies (collectively, “FSP”) do not accept unsolicited resumes from any source other than candidates.  The submission of unsolicited resumes by recruitment or staffing agencies to FSP or its employees is strictly prohibited unless contacted directly by Flagship Pioneering’s internal Talent Acquisition team.   Any resume submitted by an agency in the absence of a signed agreement will automatically become the property of FSP, and FSP will not owe any referral or other fees with respect thereto.