Job Description: Project Manager, Discovery & Preclinical Development

Role Overview

We are seeking a highly organized, driven, collaborative, and scientifically grounded Project Manager to join our growing R&D team. In this pivotal role, you will be responsible for orchestrating and managing cross-functional drug discovery and preclinical development programs. The ideal candidate possesses a deep understanding of the drug discovery process and has a proven track record of managing global Contract Research Organizations (CROs) while seamlessly integrating internal and external efforts to drive therapeutics toward the clinic.

Key Responsibilities

• Timeline & Project Management: Develop, maintain, and track comprehensive project plans and timelines for early discovery through preclinical/IND-enabling stages. Proactively identify risks, resource constraints, and critical path activities.
• Cross-Functional Coordination: Serve as the central hub of communication and operational execution across all internal discovery functions, including:
  • Medicinal/Synthetic Chemistry
  • Biology (In vitro/Assay Development)
  • DMPK (Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics)
  • In Vivo Pharmacology
  • Formulation and CMC
  • Toxicology
• Communication: Timely reporting of deadlines and key program deliverables; ensure cross-functional study reports and any other documents required for regulatory purposes are completed and QC'd on time.
• Global CRO Management: Act as the primary point of contact for external partners. Source, onboard, and manage CROs based in the US, China, and India. Monitor CRO performance, ensure timely delivery of high-quality data, manage budgets, and resolve any operational bottlenecks.
• Strategic Alignment: Facilitate regular project team meetings, create agendas, document minutes, and track action items to ensure alignment with corporate goals and therapeutic milestones.
• Process Optimization: Continuously evaluate and improve project management workflows, reporting tools, and communication streams between internal teams and external vendors.

Qualifications & Skills

• Scientific Background: Deep, practical knowledge of the end-to-end drug discovery and preclinical development process (through lead optimization, Candidate selection and IND-enabling studies).
• Experience: 3+ years of dedicated project management experience within the biotech or pharmaceutical industry, specifically focusing on early-stage discovery and preclinical R&D.
• CRO Management: Demonstrated experience working with and managing external vendors and international CRO networks (specifically in the US, China, and India).
• Communication: Exceptional written and verbal communication skills. Ability to translate complex scientific data into actionable project updates for key stakeholders and executive leadership.
• Education: Bachelor's or Master's degree in a relevant scientific discipline (Chemistry, Biology, Pharmacology, or related field). Ph.D. or equivalent experience is highly preferred.
• Certifications: PMP (Project Management Professional) certification is a strong plus.

The base pay range for this position at commencement of employment is expected to be between $160K and $185K a year; however, base pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including market location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.

Protagonist Therapeutics is a discovery through late-stage development biopharmaceutical company. The Company's proprietary peptide technology platform enables de novo discovery of peptide therapeutics. Two novel peptides derived from Protagonist's proprietary discovery platform are at or near commercialization. ICOTYDE™ (icotrokinra) is approved in the U.S. for the treatment of moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis in adults and pediatric patients 12 years of age and older who weigh at least 40 kg who are candidates for systemic therapy or phototherapy. ICOTYDE is the first and only targeted oral peptide that precisely blocks the Interleukin-23 receptor (IL-23R) licensed to Janssen Biotech, Inc.,a Johnson & Johnson company. ICOTYDE was jointly discovered by Protagonist and Johnson & Johnson scientists, with Protagonist having primary responsibility for the development of ICOTYDE through Phase 1, and Johnson & Johnson assuming responsibility for further development and commercialization. An NDA for rusfertide, a first-in-class hepcidin mimetic peptide that is being co-developed with Takeda Pharmaceuticals pursuant to a worldwide license and collaboration agreement entered in 2024, is under priority review with the FDA. Protagonist holds an option to co-commercialize rusfertide in the U.S. through a 50/50 profit and loss share structure or can opt-out of this structure. The Company also has a number of preclinical stage drug discovery programs addressing clinically and commercially validated targets including an oral IL-17 peptide antagonist, obesity dual and triple agonists, an oral hepcidin functional mimetic, and the recently announced IL-4 and amylin programs.

More information on Protagonist, its pipeline drug candidates, and clinical studies can be found on the Company's website at https://www.protagonist-inc.com.