Virogin Pharmaceutical

Virogin Pharmaceutical (Hong Kong) Company Limited

Hong Kong SAR

On-site Full Time 20 year or above Director

The R&D Leader is accountable for identifying, championing, and leading technology projects and initiatives. The R&D leader will be a vital contributor to the success of translating promising new ideas to reality, and creating value with these new technologies. The R&D leader will combine expertise in RNA therapeutic development and particular domains such as early stage proof of concept through preclinical development and project leadership to operationalize and de-risk early stage academic investigator technologies.

Role and Responsibilities:

• Designing and executing experiments and analyses to predict and test genetic variants that could affect RNA splicing. Key techniques include splicing minigenes, high-throughput sequencing, and CRISPR-mediated gene editing.
• Interpreting experimental data and outlining its implications (substantial experience in these areas is required).
• Mentoring and training researchers, leading the scientific development and productivity of the lab.
• Participating in commercialization activities including soliciting external feedback about prospective investments, and pitching to prospective investors and partners.
• Being highly motivated by working on the forefront of life science innovation and advancing the healthcare mission of Virogin.
• The ideal candidate will also have participated in fundraising and early stage company science operations.
• Providing scientific explanations to unexpected results, and suggesting reasonable solutions.
• Leading invested projects in close collaboration with the physicians and researchers at the hospitals, Innovation colleagues, and industry representatives.
• Applying knowledge of biologic therapeutic product development to effectively diligence, select, scope, plan/budget, pitch, and implement early innovative projects of their own, as well as assist in other project triage and diligences.
• Assessing commercial potential of assigned projects and identifying key risks to be mitigated.
• Contributing to the development of intellectual property filings and prosecution, especially as it intersects with new company or partnership commercialization strategies.
• Serving as an experienced advisory resource to Venture and Licensing colleagues, as well as other Innovation colleagues engaged in translational development and initiatives.

Qualifications:

• Advanced degree (PhD) or research faculty in Molecular or Cell Biology, or a related discipline.
• 20+ years of increasing responsibility in Research and Development.
• Strong knowledge of RNA biology.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills in both English and Chinese.
• Experience in successfully operating in a biotechnology startup environment.

Job Level: Director

Publish Date: 14/01/2025

Job Ref. No.: N/A

Doctorate or above

Job Function: Biotechnology

Virogin Biotech is a clinical stage biotech company developing next-generation immuno-oncolytic therapeutics to enhance the systemic antitumor immunity. With nearly 150 employees between Vancouver, BC and Shanghai, China, and led by a team with over 25 years of experience in fundamental research, translational and clinical development of immunotherapy & oncolytic virotherapy, Virogin is determined to be a global, best-in-class immuno-oncology company that creates impactful therapeutics for patients of the highest medical need. Earlier this week, Virogin announced the IND application for its lead oncolytic virus candidate, VG161, had been granted by the U.S. FDA, allowing the company to initiate a Phase II clinical trial. VG161 is an attenuated HSV type 1 oncolytic virus armed with multiple payloads of IL12, IL15/IL15Ra and a unique PD-L1 blocking peptide. Virogin is developing two differentiated platforms that are highly complementary; an oncolytic HSV-1 platform armed with multiple therapeutic payloads and genomic regulation to increase oncolytic effect, and a discovery stage mRNA tumor vaccine platform with tumor vaccines to be used in combination with oncolytic virus to augment the anti-tumor effect. As an organization placing high value on learning to improve, we encourage our employees to push their learning curve to gain growth. As one of the important practitioners in oncolytic therapy and mRNA area, we uphold our DIRICT core value as following: Dedication, Innovation, Reliability, Integrity, Care, Team - DIRICT.