VP, Antibody-Drug Conjugates

About Us:

Ridge Biotechnologies enables the development and construction of the next generation of precision medicines through enzyme and targeted therapeutic design. Using our powerful experimental and computational platform built on large datasets generated by cell-free synthesis, biorthogonal chemistries, and ever-improving machine learning models, Ridge is pioneering the design of new medicines and scalable production methods that enable our partners to bring life-saving therapies to patients in need. In recent months, we've secured multiple partnerships and launched our first product lines: NativeLink enzymes that provide precise and stable bioconjugation without modification of protein sequence, glycan, or disulfide bonds; ProTrigger protease-cleavable linkers that enable selective drug release in the tumor microenvironment; and novel enzyme-based Catalytic Medicines.

Ridge Bio's founders are industry veterans who have previously built successful biotechnology companies and academic leaders from top institutions including Stanford and Caltech with world-leading expertise in cell-free systems, therapeutic development, and protein engineering. We are backed by Sutter Hill Ventures, a quiet powerhouse that has been building successful companies since 1962 by focusing on bringing together great people to solve hard technological problems in big markets. Our company culture is dedicated to intellectual integrity, service ownership, and creative impact.

Role Description:

We are looking for an experienced scientific leader with deep expertise in antibody drug conjugate development (ADCs) to join our team. In this role, you'll make fundamental contributions to the company's scientific strategy, serving as our in-house expert on ADCs as we apply our technologies to improve and advance our partners' drug development programs. Your work will be highly collaborative, combining your expertise with that of other brilliant scientists with complementary sets of expertise in enzyme design, high-throughput experimentation, machine learning, bioconjugation chemistry, and therapeutic development. An appetite for taking on new challenges and techniques, working flexibly across disciplines, and delivering value for our partners through a pragmatic approach to therapeutic development are a must. As we grow, you'll continue to shape the company's direction, scope and execute new projects, and mentor and train scientists throughout the company.

Required Qualifications:

• Completed a PhD degree in a relevant field (chemistry, biochemistry, bioengineering, chemical engineering, or related discipline). Successful applicants will have many additional years of relevant experience and be recognized experts in ADC development.
• Direct experience with assessing and improving the developability of ADC drug candidates through biophysical characterization, molecular engineering, and preclinical animal studies.
• Demonstrated ability to identify, scope, implement, and manage complex research collaboration and therapeutic co-development partnerships in an interdisciplinary, flexible, and fast-paced environment.
• Direct experience making and advising on key decisions in each step of ADC therapeutic development programs from target selection to CMC to IND filing.
• Demonstrated understanding of key considerations for each component of an ADC (antibody, bioconjugation method, linker, and payload), direct experience with development bioconjugation and selectively cleavable linker systems is highly preferred.
• Experience hiring, mentoring, and training researchers to form highly effective technical teams.
• Ability to work full-time hours at our Bay Area location and occasional flexibility to travel and complete time-sensitive projects.

How You'll Contribute:

• Identify, scope, budget, draft, and manage partnership-based ADC development projects using our bioconjugation and linker technologies.
• Design and implement chemical synthesis methods to develop custom cleavable linker systems for bioconjugate therapeutics.
• Further improve our technology platforms by ideating, leading, and filing intellectual property on new linkers and bioconjugation methods.
• serving as our in-house expert on ADCs as we apply our technologies to improve and advance our partners' drug development programs.
• Mentor and train junior team members in skillsets required for ADC therapeutic development.
• Work with our founding team to develop and define the company's technical development roadmap to meet urgent customer and patient needs.

We offer a strong benefits package, competitive compensation, and an opportunity to work collaboratively with a top-notch team with diverse skillsets to solve challenging problems with wide impact in therapeutics. If you are a master at your craft of ADC development and are looking to apply your skills to solve important problems faced by therapeutic developers as part of a fast-paced, team-based, and entrepreneurial environment then this job is for you!