Director, Pre-Clinical Development
Apply NowCompany: Evozyne
Location: Chicago, IL 60629
Description:
Job Summary
Evozyne is an AI-driven protein engineering company developing novel protein therapeutics across a wide range of diseases.
As the Director, Pre-Clinical Drug Development, lead the design and execution of preclinical drug development and program management for multiple therapeutic programs. Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, you will lead the design and execution of pre-clinical drug development and program management for multiple therapeutic programs working towards IND filing.
Location: This is a hybrid role working onsite at our Chicago office 3-4 days per week.
What You'll Do
Who You Are
You thrive in an early-stage start-up's dynamic, fast-paced world, where your agility and expertise fuel high-impact results. With deep knowledge of pre-clinical drug development - especially in the autoimmune space - you bring a blend of technical know-how and operational savvy to push assets toward the clinic. You're driven by a patient-first mindset and excel at turning complex ideas into clear, actionable strategies that align teams and keep everyone moving forward together.
Required Skills
Education: Advanced degree (e.g., PhD, PharmD, or Masters) in biology, pharmacology, toxicology, or related field
Evozyne is an AI-driven protein engineering company developing novel protein therapeutics across a wide range of diseases.
As the Director, Pre-Clinical Drug Development, lead the design and execution of preclinical drug development and program management for multiple therapeutic programs. Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, you will lead the design and execution of pre-clinical drug development and program management for multiple therapeutic programs working towards IND filing.
Location: This is a hybrid role working onsite at our Chicago office 3-4 days per week.
What You'll Do
- Design pre-clinical drug development plan, including pharmacology, toxicology, and CMC, for protein-based therapeutics to drive multiple programs from engineered candidates to IND.
- Develop study protocols, pharmacokinetic (PK)/toxicokinetic (TK), pharmacodynamic (PD), and toxicology data for preclinical studies.
- Develop and maintain integrated project plans with clear responsibilities and interdependencies.
- Execute preclinical project plans to ensure goals and objectives are met while balancing speed, costs, and risk mitigation.
- Identify, establish, and manage collaborations with external partners (CROs, CDMOs) to execute preclinical plans and generate high-quality data, adhering to GLP standards.
- Analyze results from preclinical studies and contribute to interpretation of results for program decision-making.
- Actively contribute to scientific and development strategies in exploring new therapies and intellectual property.
- Manage budget and accrual tracking of executed preclinical investigations
- Maintain current awareness of evolving technologies and scientific developments that could be applied to advance programs and contribute to diligence efforts.
Who You Are
You thrive in an early-stage start-up's dynamic, fast-paced world, where your agility and expertise fuel high-impact results. With deep knowledge of pre-clinical drug development - especially in the autoimmune space - you bring a blend of technical know-how and operational savvy to push assets toward the clinic. You're driven by a patient-first mindset and excel at turning complex ideas into clear, actionable strategies that align teams and keep everyone moving forward together.
Required Skills
- Minimum 8+ years (Ph.D.) to 10+ years (Master's) of preclinical research & development experience related to pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, and/or toxicology.
- Experience in CRO/CDMO oversight and vendor management, including technical, regulatory, and quality aspects.
- Deep understanding of the drug development process, particularly from discovery through IND filing, including detailed knowledge of GLP, ICH guidelines and current US FDA regulations related to preclinical requirements.
- Track record of managing multiple preclinical (preferably) and/or clinical programs in biologics.
- Highly effective influencer without authority at all levels
- Performs well in a fast-paced, rapidly evolving environment
Education: Advanced degree (e.g., PhD, PharmD, or Masters) in biology, pharmacology, toxicology, or related field