Principal Scientist - Formulation

Nortiva Bio, Inc , a subsidiary of Innoviva, Inc.,is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company pioneering long-acting oral therapies. The company’s proprietary LYNX™ drug delivery platform represents a major advancement in oral drug delivery, enabling the creation of medicines designed to last a week or longer in a single oral dose. Our near-term focus is on advancing clinical programs in therapeutic areas where weekly or monthly doses would improve adherence and health outcomes.

The Principal Scientist
- Formulation is an experienced scientific leader who will lead Nortiva’s Formulation Team. Nortiva’s novel ultra-long-acting oral drug delivery platform uniquely combines elements of controlled drug delivery, traditional and non-traditional formulation components and processes, and dynamic structural features required for gastric residence. The Principal Scientist
- Formulation will be responsible for driving formulation strategy across multiple programs from early-stage feasibility through clinical manufacturing. This role will oversee and directly contribute to the design, manufacture, and assessment of polymer-drug blends for long-acting delivery. Nortiva’s drug delivery platform combines traditional and non-traditional formulation processes such as hot-melt-extrusion, coextrusion, injection molding, spray coating, and laser welding. As such, the individual in this role must be well grounded in the fundamentals of physical chemistry/material science and capable of connecting processes to product attributes.

This position is ideal for a scientifically rigorous and entrepreneurial leader who enjoys both strategic leadership and hands‑on experimental work in a fast‑paced biotech environment.

• Serve as the technical lead for formulation development of long-acting oral drug products
• Develop formulation strategies and work plans based on API properties, pharmacokinetic targets, and historical data
• Guide budgeting and resourcing for formulation efforts, ensuring progress against formulation milestones and company timelines
• Establish, oversee, and contribute to the execution of experimental plans to optimize formulation composition, performance, and manufacturability
• Lead scientific problem solving related to formulation performance, scale‑up, stability, and manufacturability
• Partner closely with Analytical and Engineering teams to establish appropriate test methods, assess product quality, and scale up manufacturing operations
• Manage external CROs/CDMOs to execute development activities
• Communicate results and progress to external partners
• Oversee the maintenance of laboratory equipment and establish laboratory protocols
• Provide technical mentorship to scientists and research associates within Pharmaceutical Sciences
• Author regulatory documents, formulation development reports, technical summaries, and SOPs

• Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Chemistry, or a related discipline
• 10+ years of industry experience in pharmaceutical formulation and drug product development, including significant experience with oral solid dosage forms
• Experience authoring regulatory submission documents and working in a GMP environment
• Demonstrated contributions to patents or proprietary drug delivery technologies
• Demonstrated experience leading, mentoring, and developing high‑performing scientific teams, with a proven ability to coach and motivate scientists in a collaborative environment
• Experience working in small biotech or other highly collaborative, fast‑paced environments

• Demonstrated expertise in controlled‑release formulation technologies and drug release mechanisms.
• Strong understanding of…