Director or Sr Director, Medicinal Chemistry at Axsome Therapeutics Inc

San Diego, California, United States

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$180,000 – $255,000Compensation

Expert & Leadership (9+ years)Experience Level

Full TimeJob Type

UnknownVisa

Pharmaceuticals, BiotechnologyIndustries

Requirements

Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry with 15+ years or Masters with 18+ years of Pharma/bio-tech drug discovery experience (or portfolio of programs from hit/lead to development candidate)
Expertise in modern synthetic organic chemistry, evidenced by high-quality publications and patents
Proven cross-functional leadership: integrating biology, DMPK/ADME, CADD, and CMC to build and execute strategic project plans
Practical experience and working knowledge of target protein degradation and associated modalities (molecular glues, PROTACs)
Track record of program leadership advancing compounds through preclinical development (candidate nomination, IND-enabling interfaces, CRO oversight)
Experience working with computational chemists as part of project team in design of drug targets
Strong interpersonal, communication, time management, and leadership skills
Experience mentoring or leading junior chemists
Creative problem solving and management of relationships with several stakeholders within and beyond the company

Responsibilities

Lead a group of medicinal chemists and drive molecular discovery efforts to deliver development and clinical candidates
Devise strategies to execute hit ID, identify lead molecules and optimize them for potency, selectivity, and ADME properties using multivariant SAR analysis and hypothesis driven design principles
Work closely with molecular and cellular biology, pharmacology, computational chemistry, DMPK, and other key functions
Act as a liaison between Iambic, CROs, and other external collaborators, including partnered research projects
Influence the prospective use of computational methods and leverage automated synthesis and high-throughput experimentation capabilities
Work closely with AI/ML teams to develop and implement relevant predictive models to aid in the design of new molecules
Contribute to platform development by collaborating with AI/ML and chemistry automation teams to enhance processes and accelerate the design–make–test (DMT) cycle
Communicate project updates clearly and effectively to the broader team and key stakeholders
Work as a senior member of the Chemistry research group and foster a culture of scientific excellence, innovation, and teamwork

Skills

Key technologies and capabilities for this role

Medicinal ChemistryDrug DiscoveryOrganic ChemistrySAR AnalysisADME OptimizationComputational ChemistryDMPKAI/ML ModelsAutomated SynthesisHigh-Throughput ExperimentationMolecular Design

Questions & Answers

Common questions about this position

What is the salary range for the Director or Sr Director, Medicinal Chemistry position?

The salary range is $180K - $255K.

Is this position remote or onsite?

This is an onsite position located at our San Diego Headquarters.

What are the key qualifications and skills required for this role?

Candidates need a Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry with 15+ years or Masters with 18+ years of drug discovery experience, expertise in modern synthetic organic chemistry with publications and patents, proven cross-functional leadership, experience with target protein degradation modalities like PROTACS, and strong skills in communication, leadership, and mentoring.

What is the company culture like at Iambic Therapeutics?

The culture emphasizes intense collaboration in a multidisciplinary, team-based setting, fostering scientific excellence, innovation, and teamwork.

What makes a strong candidate for this Director of Medicinal Chemistry role?

A strong candidate has a proven track record of success in drug discovery, including advancing compounds from hit/lead to development candidates, experience leading cross-functional teams integrating biology, DMPK, CADD, and CMC, and expertise coordinating with AI/ML, computational chemistry, and external CROs.

Axsome Therapeutics Inc

Develops therapies for CNS disorders

About Axsome Therapeutics Inc

Axsome Therapeutics develops therapies for central nervous system (CNS) disorders, focusing on conditions like major depressive disorder, treatment-resistant depression, and Alzheimer's agitation. Their main product, AXS-05, is an oral medication that works by blocking NMDA receptors in the brain, which helps regulate mood. This drug has shown positive results in clinical trials and has received special FDA status to speed up its approval process. Unlike many competitors, Axsome emphasizes addressing unmet medical needs in CNS disorders and aims to improve patient outcomes through rigorous research and development. The company's goal is to bring effective treatments to market, enhancing the quality of life for patients suffering from these conditions.

New York City, New YorkHeadquarters

2012Year Founded

$430.7MTotal Funding

IPOCompany Stage

Biotechnology, HealthcareIndustries

201-500Employees

Benefits

Performance Bonus

Company Equity

Risks

Increased competition from companies like Compass Pathways in the CNS market.

Potential delays in AXS-07 launch amid growing market anticipation.

Departure of key personnel like Lori Englebert may impact strategic direction.

Differentiation

Axsome focuses on CNS disorders with limited current treatment options.

AXS-05, an NMDA receptor antagonist, targets major depressive disorder and treatment-resistant depression.

Axsome's balanced portfolio includes both clinical and research stage products.

Upsides

FDA's fast-tracking of CNS treatments could expedite Axsome's drug approvals.

Increased investment in CNS R&D drives innovation, benefiting Axsome's pipeline.

Growing personalized medicine trend offers Axsome opportunities for tailored therapies.

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