Location: San Diego, CA
Status: Full-Time
Department: Technical Operations

Company Overview
We are Aspyrian Therapeutics Inc., a privately funded, clinical stage, biotechnology company located in San Diego, California. We are focused on advancing innovative science into breakthrough products that provide cancer patients with new treatments to conquer their disease.

We are supported by visionary investors that have the commitment to build a long-term company that integrates research, development and commercialization of cutting edge cancer therapies with the aim to transform cancer treatments. Our mission is "CONQUERING Cancer. For LIFE".

We are developing therapies based on a novel proprietary technology platform that utilizes antibodies conjugated with payloads that are specifically activated at the tumor site. Our first clinical product is in mid-stage clinical testing to treat terminal cancer patients. This is a first in class product with unique pharmacological activity and with the potential to have a broad impact in cancer. Given the rapid progression of the clinical studies we are quickly expanding the team to support late stage pivotal clinical development and future commercialization of our products.

Job Summary
Aspyrian is currently looking for a highly motivated individual to initiate internal antibody development / engineering capabilities that focuses on therapeutic antibody discovery and optimization using various molecular biology, protein engineering approaches, and hybridoma technology. The successful candidates will play the central roles in the development and engineering of therapeutic antibodies that address unmet medical needs. The position will emphasize on antibody development, characterization and optimization. The candidate is expected to work in a highly collaborative environment, to demonstrate initiative in solving difficult technical challenges, to be able to work on multiple projects simultaneously and support novel discovery programs.
Key Duties and Responsibilities:
  • Lead in proposing and implementing new experimental designs and concepts to develop novel biological drugs including antibodies, antibodies fusion proteins, antibody fragments, antibody mutants, bispecific antibodies, recombinant engineered proteins including fusion proteins with dual activity, protein conjugates, protein-prodrugs, etc.
  • Lead protein engineering efforts in directed evolution, Fc engineering, hybridoma antibody discovery, and support small scale protein manufacturing. Optimization of lead molecules (Biologics) to tune specificity, potency and affinity.
  • Obtaining in-depth knowledge of the therapeutic targets of interest and using this information to formulate and design creative protein based therapeutics with high potential and new functionalities.
  • This position requires the candidate to carry out hand-on lab work to apply protein engineering principles to support validated targets and generate novel protein therapeutics to support oncology programs.
  • The ideal candidate needs to have a strong understanding on how to characterize protein therapeutics. This work will also include close collaborations with analytical development and biologists to design and evaluate different protein therapeutics.
  • Design and engineer immunogens/proteins for generation and screening of antibodies in a variety of platforms
  • The candidate needs to demonstrate strong desire and initiative to understand immunology and tumor biology, and help propose new ideas and techniques to discover next-generation therapeutics with unique functionalities.
  • Design and execute innovative approach to drug discovery and development to ensure quality, prioritization, and timeliness.
  • Identify "hot spots" on proteins (antibodies) and engineer and express stable forms of proteins.
  • Support engineered proteins to establish and optimize protein expression systems for small scale manufacture.
  • Explore and engineer next generation target molecules.
  • Collaborate closely with a fully integrated team to make key decisions on program progression and prioritization
  • Candidates with antibody repertoire analysis, library design, bispecific antibody generation and next generation sequencing are highly desirable.
  • Experience in molecular biology techniques such as cloning, RT-PCR, vector construction, NGS and sequence analysis.

Desired Education, Skills and Experience:
  • PhD with >3 years of post-doctoral experience, or MS with >10 years of experience in Protein Bioengineering, Biochemistry, Structural Biology or related discipline.
  • Working experience in the Biotech/Pharma setting with direct involvement in drug development of biologics is highly preferred
  • Prior experience of therapeutic antibody discovery
  • Demonstrates broad knowledge in the area of protein biochemistry of biological drugs, including the ability to interpret current literature and apply to relevant R&D projects
  • Expertise utilizing techniques for antibody engineering, antibody humanization, affinity maturation and antibody stabilization.
  • Familiarity with antibody properties and sequences.
  • Willing to work with a fast pace technical operations / development group to ensure deliverables are met on-time.
  • Experience using protein structure modeling tools is a strong plus.
  • The individuals are expected to independently become proficient in new and diverse experimental techniques, be able to multi-tasks and meet timelines efficiently and productively
  • Knowledge of translational work involving antibody and protein therapeutics in immunology and oncology would be of significant advantage.
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Physical Demands
This position requires lab work, frequent sitting, computer operation, standing, walking, talking, and hearing. This position may require some business travel (including overnight stays and domestic and international travel) by air/rail/auto of approximately 1-5% of the working days buy travel schedule may vary to lower or higher amounts depending on the job demands.

We are proud to offer a competitive compensation plan with an excellent benefits package including flexible time off, stock options, 401k, medical, dental, vision plans and more.

Aspyrian Therapeutics Inc. is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives and skills.

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