The Director, Chemistry will provide scientific and strategic leadership for the design, optimization, and advancement of next-generation oligonucleotide therapeutics, with a focus on conjugation chemistry and targeted delivery technologies. This individual will lead efforts across discovery platforms, driving innovation in chemical optimization, ligand-mediated delivery, and bioconjugation strategies to improve potency, biodistribution, tissue specificity, exposure, and safety profiles.

The ideal candidate brings deep expertise in nucleic acid chemistry and therapeutic delivery, along with a demonstrated track record advancing discovery programs from concept through IND-enabling studies. This leader will play a critical role in evaluating and implementing emerging modalities, including antibody-oligonucleotide conjugates (AOCs), to expand extrahepatic delivery capabilities.

Responsibilities:

• Lead the scientific strategy and execution for conjugation chemistry and targeted delivery approaches supporting oligonucleotide therapeutic programs.
• Drive innovation across conjugation design, chemical optimization, and ligand-mediated delivery technologies.
• Establish and advance platform capabilities in bioconjugation, receptor/ligand targeting, and extrahepatic delivery systems.
• Lead multidisciplinary teams advancing oligonucleotide programs from discovery through IND-enabling studies.
• Design and optimize conjugation strategies to improve potency, stability, pharmacokinetics, tissue specificity, and therapeutic index.
• Collaborate with biology, DMPK, toxicology, translational sciences, and clinical development teams to drive candidate selection and advancement.
• Identify, assess, and integrate novel conjugation chemistries, targeting ligands, and delivery technologies.
• Serve as a key scientific leader across research and development functions.
• Build and mentor high-performing scientific teams while fostering a collaborative and innovative culture.
• Present scientific findings and strategic recommendations to executive leadership, governance committees, and external collaborators.
• Support external partnerships, collaborations, and diligence activities related to delivery and conjugation technologies.
• Stay current with scientific advancements and competitive landscape in oligonucleotide therapeutics and conjugate technologies.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements / Qualifications:

• Ph.D. in Chemistry, Medicinal Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or related scientific discipline.
• 12+ years of industry experience in oligonucleotide therapeutics, conjugation chemistry, or targeted delivery platforms within biotechnology or pharmaceutical settings.
• Demonstrated success advancing therapeutic programs from discovery through IND-enabling studies.
• Strong experience with ligand-mediated delivery, receptor targeting, and extrahepatic delivery approaches.
• Expertise in bioconjugation technologies and emerging modalities such as AOCs targeted oligonucleotide conjugates.
• Proven leadership experience managing cross-functional scientific teams and complex research programs.
• Strong understanding of pharmacology, DMPK, biodistribution, and translational considerations for oligonucleotide therapeutics.
• Excellent communication, collaboration, and strategic leadership skills.

ADARx Pharmaceuticals is an EEO employer committed to an exciting, diverse, and enriching work environment. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws.

Company Overview

ADARx Pharmaceuticals is a newly launched next-wave genetic medicine company focusing on base editing of mRNA transcripts. We discover and develop innovative therapeutics that can utilize a family of endogenous enzymes called adenosine deaminase acting on RNA (ADAR) to precisely target and correct single point mutations on a mRNA, thus the production of desired and functional protein is restored. Our vison is to provide effective and safe therapeutics to patients who suffer from currently undruggable diseases.