VP of Synthetic Biology

Overview

Antheia is a science and technology company developing next generation plant-inspired medicines. We apply synthetic biology, genomics, bioinformatics, data science, and fermentation to harness beneficial molecules from plants to create active pharmaceutical ingredients in controlled and economical ways. We value our people as our most important resource and seek talented individuals who can contribute to our efforts.

Position: VP of Synthetic Biology & Managing Director of SG subsidiary

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.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications & Experience

• Ph.D. in Synthetic Biology, Metabolic Engineering, Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Bioengineering, or related discipline .
• 15+ years of experience in synthetic biology, microbial engineering, natural product discovery and/or bioproduction, with at least 5 years in a senior leadership role .
• Proven track record in engineering microbial hosts (e.g., bacteria, fungi, actinomycetes) for the production of complex natural products.
• Expertise in metabolic pathway optimization, CRISPR-based genome editing, and synthetic regulatory control systems.
• Familiarity with ADC payload and/or linker chemistry and the integration of biological and chemical manufacturing processes.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to manage cross-functional teams and drive innovation in a fast-paced biotech environment.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to engage with stakeholders at all levels, including investors, partners, and regulatory bodies.
• 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.

Additional Information

Full-time base salary range of $280,000 – $302,000 USD plus an annual bonus potential and equity opportunities.

Note: This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities. Duties may change or be assigned at any time with or without notice.

Please note that Antheia doesn’t discriminate based on age, race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, gender, sexual orientation, disability, medical history, and other non-merit characteristics.

Benefits & Eligibility

• Comprehensive compensation package, including 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
• Gym access
• Shuttle service to CalTrain, BART Station, and SF

Antheia is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on protected bases. Legal authorization to work in the United States is required.

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