Director, Preclinical Development

Job Description

Addition Therapeutics is at the forefront of biotechnology innovation, advancing transformative therapies utilizing its proprietary PRINT™ (Precise RNA-mediated Insertion of Transgenes) platform. PRINT™ redefines genetic medicine by enabling development of RNA-only therapeutics capable of inserting any genetic element into specific safe harbor sites within the genome. Operating from state-of-the-art labs in South San Francisco, our team of experienced scientists and drug developers is leading scientific breakthroughs while cultivating a vibrant, dynamic culture committed to profoundly impacting patient lives.

Addition Therapeutics is seeking a highly skilled and motivated Director, Preclinical Development to join our Preclinical Translation Team and provide scientific leadership for the advancement of our novel PRINT™ platform and therapeutic programs toward the clinic. This individual will lead the development and execution of integrated preclinical strategies across programs, from early proof-of-concept and candidate optimization through IND-enabling activities.

The successful candidate will provide scientific leadership across preclinical development with particular emphasis on in vivo pharmacology and translation to NHPs. Depending on experience and organizational needs, the individual may also provide leadership for early nonclinical safety assessment and integration of safety findings into program strategy, while partnering with external toxicology experts and CROs for formal toxicology activities. A critical component of this role will be the integration of in vivo pharmacology with bioanalytical, PK/PD, biodistribution, tissue biology, histopathology, and early safety readouts to build a coherent translational understanding of the therapeutic.

The ideal candidate is a scientifically rigorous and highly collaborative drug developer with strong strategic judgment, operational discipline, and the ability to lead through influence in a fast-paced, matrixed organization. This role offers a unique opportunity to shape the nonclinical development strategy for a novel genetic medicine platform and to establish the translational foundation for therapies based on permanent gene insertion.

• Develop and implement integrated preclinical strategies to support PRINT™ platform development, target validation, therapeutic program advancement, and IND-enabling activities.
• Provide scientific leadership for in vivo rodent and NHP studies including appropriate models, controls, dose levels, time points, endpoints, and tissue collections.
• Integrate in vivo pharmacology with PK/PD, bioanalytical, molecular, biodistribution, histopathology, tissue biology, and other translational readouts to establish relationships between exposure, mechanism, pharmacodynamic activity, efficacy, durability, and safety.
• Provide scientific oversight of early nonclinical safety assessments and contribute to development of an integrated safety strategy, including interpretation of immune-related findings, histopathology, and other safety signals.
• Manage external CROs and other vendors across the full study lifecycle, including vendor selection, scope and protocol development, study initiation, ongoing study oversight, troubleshooting, data review, interpretation, and final reporting.
• Serve as a scientific leader in cross-functional program teams, working closely with Platform Research, Program, Bioanalytical Sciences, Histopathology, CMC/Formulation, and other functions to align preclinical strategy with program milestones.
• Establish and maintain efficient operational processes, systems, and documentation standards to support study execution, data integrity, traceability, regulatory-filing-ready reporting.
• Mentor and develop scientists within the Preclinical Translation organization and contribute to building a high-performing culture of scientific rigor, collaboration, accountability, and operational excellence.

• M.S. or Ph.D. in Biology, Pharmacology, Toxicology, or a related discipline with 10+ years of relevant industry experience.
• Strong track record of leading in vivo pharmacology and…