VP of Synthetic Biology

Position VP of Synthetic Biology & Managing Director of SG subsidiary Overview Antheia is a science and technology company developing next generation plant-inspired medicines. We harness synthetic biology, genomics, bioinformatics, data science, and fermentation to create active pharmaceutical ingredients in more controlled and economical ways. We are a close-knit team inspired by the possibilities of delivering transformative technologies and breakthrough science to change the course of medicine. We value our people as our most important resource and are always looking for talented individuals who can make valuable contributions to our efforts. Antheia has a demonstrated biomanufacturing platform for the production of key starting materials (KSMs) and active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and is currently looking to expand the pipeline to focus on the discovery and development of novel therapeutics derived from natural products, leveraging partnerships and collaborations within Singapore and the APAC regions. Position Overview We are seeking a highly experienced and strategic VP of Synthetic Biology with strong expertise in molecular biology, genetic engineering and natural product chemistry to lead our team in Singapore. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in natural product discovery, metabolic engineering, and microbiology, with proven leadership skills to drive innovation and translational research. Key Responsibilities Strategic Leadership: Develop and execute a synthetic biology strategy to engineer microbial hosts for the efficient biosynthesis of novel bioactive natural products and derivatives with an emphasis on potential oncology drugs and antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) payloads. Strain Engineering: Lead efforts to optimize microbial chassis through metabolic pathway engineering, genome editing, and synthetic biology techniques. Enzyme Engineering: Lead efforts to discover new enzyme activities and biosynthetic gene clusters used in natural product biosynthesis, optimize expression and activity in heterologous hosts, and perform biochemical characterization. Fermentation & Scale-Up: Oversee fermentation and downstream process development to ensure high-yield and cost-effective production of natural products in microbial hosts through pilot scale. Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Work closely with chemistry, analytical, and process development teams to integrate synthetic biology with downstream processing and purification strategies. Innovation & IP Strategy: Drive innovation in synthetic biology technologies while collaborating with legal teams to secure intellectual property protection. Team Leadership & Mentorship: Build, mentor, and lead a high-performing synthetic biology team, fostering a culture of scientific excellence and innovation. Manage our subsidiary in Singapore Regulatory & Compliance: Ensure that microbial strain development and production processes align with regulatory guidelines and industry best practices. Partnership Development: Collaborate with academic institutions, industry partners, and contract manufacturing organizations (CMOs) to accelerate development efforts. Budget & Resource Management: Develop and manage budgets, timelines, and resource allocation to meet corporate goals efficiently. Partnership development: Support partnership development team by providing technical diligence and participating in calls with potential pharma partners. Educational & Experience Requirements: Ph.D. in Synthetic Biology, Metabolic Engineering, Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Bioengineering, or related discipline. Experience: 15+ years in synthetic biology, microbial engineering, natural product discovery and/or bioproduction, with at least 5 years in a senior leadership role. Technical Proficiency: Proven record in engineering microbial hosts (e.g., bacteria, fungi, actinomycetes) for production of complex natural products; expertise in metabolic pathway optimization, CRISPR-based genome editing, and synthetic regulatory control systems. Additional Expertise: Familiarity with ADC payload and/or linker chemistry and the integration of biological and chemical manufacturing processes. Leadership: Strong leadership skills to manage cross-functional teams and drive innovation in a fast-paced biotech environment. Communication: Excellent communication skills and ability to engage with stakeholders at all levels, including investors, partners, and regulatory bodies. Travel: Frequent travel to the United States and off-hours meetings required. Preferred Qualifications Experience in the pharmaceutical or biotech industry, specifically in oncology therapeutics and antibody drug conjugate (ADC) development. Track record of securing research funding, grants, or industry partnerships. Experience with computational modeling of metabolic pathways and bioinformatics tools for strain optimization. Experience scaling up bioprocesses from bench-scale to pilot and commercial production. Legal and Equal Opportunity Antheia is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, marital status, age, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical conditions, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender (including gender identity and gender expression), or any other basis protected by law. Legal authorization to work in the United States is required. In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States. Compensation & Benefits Comprehensive compensation package, which includes annual bonus potential and equity opportunities Paid time off, in addition to company-observed holidays Excellent medical, dental, and vision insurance 401(k) retirement savings plan Free access to the Menlo Park Labs Gym Menlo Park Labs free shuttle service to CalTrain, BART Station, and SF For full-time employees, Antheia offers a comprehensive total rewards package. 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