Septerna is a biotechnology company based in South San Francisco, CA on a mission to develop life-changing medicines for patients with the vision to become the industry-leading G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR)-focused drug discovery company. The company’s Native Complex Platform™ recapitulates GPCRs with their native structure, function, and dynamics outside of the cellular context. This approach enables novel access to modern structural and screening technologies used in industrial-scale drug discovery for the entire class of GPCRs. Septerna has an emerging pipeline of GPCR-targeted small molecule programs with potential for growth to target many GPCRs that have been undruggable and unexploited to date.
We are excited to expand our multidisciplinary team of individuals focused on creating revolutionary medicines to address the unmet needs of patients. At Septerna we strive to embrace diversity of thought, expertise, and background through collaboration. To join our ambitious team, be prepared to bring your real self to work every day; grow and learn from a talented team of drug hunters, scientists, and business professionals; and contribute your passion, creativity, and energy to accomplish our mission. We share a fearless pursuit of ground-breaking innovations and cultivate an environment where our employees succeed by learning from each other and working as a team.
We are committed to the development of meaningful therapeutics for patients with indications of high unmet need. This is a tremendous opportunity to work with talented individuals on the frontlines of therapeutic discovery and development. You will directly help move therapies through preclinical research, positioning them for success in the clinic. The successful candidate will add their passion, unique talents, and expertise to a dynamic team motivated to discover new disease-modifying therapeutics for patients in a fast-paced environment.
For more information see: www.septerna.com.
The Role
We are seeking an experienced DMPK leader to help define and execute DMPK, PK, and PK/PD strategy across our drug discovery and development portfolio. Reporting to the SD, DMPK and Clinical Pharmacology, you will partner with discovery project teams across multiple therapeutic areas — characterizing and evaluating compounds from hit identification through candidate selection, and, as programs mature, into clinical development. You will also help build our internal DMPK capabilities and CRO relationships, serving as the DMPK representative for select programs.
Key Responsibilities
- Help define and execute ADME/PK and PK/PD strategy for discovery and development programs, partnering with DMPK leadership across target classes and therapeutic areas
- Design, execute, and interpret studies assessing ADME and drug-drug interaction (DDI) potential; evaluate in vitro ADME data in the context of IVIVC/IVIVE
- Apply mechanistic approaches to translate dosing regimens from preclinical to clinical, including human dose prediction
- Analyze and present PK/PD data (Phoenix WinNonlin and other tools) to project teams and senior management
- Develop in vitro/in vivo assays to characterize ADME/PK and DDI profiles, supporting lead optimization and candidate selection
- Manage CRO relationships and outsourced DMPK study execution, ensuring quality and timelines
- Author and review DMPK sections of regulatory submissions and help respond to agency questions
- Serve as the DMPK representative — and, for select programs, Project Team Leader — on cross-functional discovery teams through IND filing
- Mentor junior scientists; build strong cross-functional collaboration across Chemical Sciences, Drug Discovery, Pharmacology, Toxicology, CMC, Clinical Pharmacology, and Regulatory
Qualifications
- Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pharmacokinetics, Clinical Pharmacology, Chemistry, Biochemistry, or a related field
- 5+ years of DMPK drug discovery experience post-Ph.D., including substantial experience in a biotechnology or pharmaceutical setting
- Strong understanding of nonclinical in vivo pharmacokinetics, absorption/clearance mechanisms, drug metabolism, transporters, drug-drug interactions, and in vitro methodologies
- Demonstrated experience leading DMPK efforts across programs spanning multiple target classes and therapeutic areas, including at least one program that advanced to a clinical drug candidate
- Experience serving as a lead DMPK representative on cross-functional project teams, and managing externally outsourced DMPK studies
- Strong scientific track record and reputation as an effective technical leader, with excellent communication skills across a range of audiences
- Hands-on experience developing in vitro/in vivo assays for ADME/PK and DDI characterization
- Experience contributing to regulatory submissions (e.g., IND-enabling packages)
The anticipated salary range for candidates who will work in South San Francisco, CA is $170,000 - $195,000. Individual pay may vary based on additional factors, including, and without limitation, job-related skills, experience, work location and relevant education or training. Septerna's compensation package also includes benefits, stock options, and annual target bonus for full-time positions.
Skills Required
- Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pharmacokinetics, Clinical Pharmacology, Chemistry, Biochemistry, or a related field
- 5+ years of post-Ph.D. DMPK drug discovery experience, including substantial biotechnology or pharmaceutical industry experience
- Strong understanding of nonclinical in vivo pharmacokinetics, absorption and clearance mechanisms, drug metabolism, transporters, drug-drug interactions, and in vitro methodologies
- Experience leading DMPK efforts across multiple target classes and therapeutic areas, including a program advanced to clinical drug candidate
- Experience serving as lead DMPK representative on cross-functional project teams and managing outsourced DMPK studies
- Strong scientific track record and reputation as an effective technical leader, with excellent communication skills
- Hands-on experience developing in vitro and in vivo assays for ADME, PK, and DDI characterization
- Experience contributing to regulatory submissions, including IND-enabling packages
What We Do
Septerna is on a mission to make the promise of future GPCR medicines a reality for patients. Combining the latest advances in biochemical, structural and computational drug discovery approaches, we have built an industrialized platform to precisely control and modulate GPCR biology and pharmacology to discover and develop new high-impact medicines. With our Native Complex™ platform, we are opening a new frontier in GPCR small molecule discovery technologies to expand the druggable GPCR landscape. We are always looking for talented scientists, drug hunters, and business professionals to join our mission to launch a new era of GPCR medicines. If you’re passionate about innovation, energized by teamwork, and fueled by the desire to change patient lives, join us and become a part of the Septerna story!
