Vice President, Chemistry, Manufacturing, and Controls (CMC)
Position Description
Juvena Therapeutics is seeking a seasoned and strategic leader to join our executive team as the Vice President of Chemistry, Manufacturing, and Controls (CMC). Reporting directly to the SVP of Drug Development, this pivotal role will be responsible for defining and executing the comprehensive CMC strategy for our portfolio from discovery through to clinical-stage development. The successful candidate will lead all aspects of process development, analytical development, and manufacturing, guiding our novel candidates from pre-clinical development and lead optimization through regulatory filings, formulation optimization, scaling, clinical trials and commercialization. The VP of CMC will have expertise in biologics manufacturing and delivery, fusion proteins, and mammalian cell line-based protein synthesis. He/she will have experience and a strong understanding of the requirements for pre-filled syringes as well as drug-device combination development.
This is a critical leadership position requiring a blend of deep technical expertise, strategic vision, and operational excellence. The VP of CMC will oversee a primarily outsourced manufacturing model, building and managing strong relationships with a network of Contract Development and Manufacturing Organizations (CDMOs). The successful candidate will also oversee internal small scale production, protein engineering and lead optimization activities for assets in discovery and preclinical development. As a key member of the leadership team, you will collaborate across functions to ensure that our CMC activities are fully aligned with our clinical, regulatory, and corporate goals.
Company Summary
Juvena Therapeutics is a clinical stage, venture-backed biotech company leveraging its AI-enabled platform to discover and advance tissue restorative biologics to tackle chronic muscle and metabolic diseases. The company’s approach stems from mapping the therapeutic potential of stem-cell secreted proteins and translating them into a growing pipeline of engineered biologics. Juvena is achieving this through a fully integrated, end-to-end platform, JuvNET, that combines a compounding database leveraging quantitative proteomics, multi-omics, and high content imaging to map secreted proteins to specific disease phenotypes, utilizing in silico and in vitro human cell screening, pharmacology, and protein engineering capabilities. Juvena is progressing multiple clinical and preclinical programs, including a clinical stage, muscle regenerative biologic and a novel preclinical lipolysis inducing obesity asset with a unique mechanism.
Juvena’s lead asset, JUV-161, is a muscle regenerating fusion protein with broad indication potential, currently in Phase 1 studies in healthy volunteers, with the aim of developing the drug candidate for Myotonic Dystrophy Type 1 (DM1). Juvena’s obesity candidate, JUV-112, is based on a novel secreted protein with an orthogonal, non-appetite suppressing, energy expenditure based MOA (non-GLP-1/GIP mediated) for improved fat metabolism, including improved insulin sensitivity and adipose regulation. JUV-112 is currently in lead optimization. Juvena is also identifying muscle targeting pro-metabolic and hypertrophic secreted proteins for Sarcopenic Obesity, with an active discovery collaboration with Eli Lilly. Additionally, Juvena has discovered and validated 55+ hits across 6 therapeutic areas including fibrotic, hepatic, pulmonary, metabolic, osteopathies and inflammatory diseases.
Juvena’s venture-backed preclinical programs were also supported by funding from the National Institute of Health (NIH) and the California Institute of Regenerative Medicine (CIRM). At Juvena we embrace a diversity of backgrounds, experience and approaches that all combine to lead us to world-class scientific results in an inclusive environment. To learn more about Juvena Therapeutics, visit JuvenaTherapeutics.com or follow the company on LinkedIn @Juvena-Therapeutics.
Position Location and work permit requirement
640 Galveston Dr. Redwood City, 94063
Strong preference for onsite work at our office, but open to hybrid or remote working arrangements.
Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S.
Key Responsibilities
- Strategic Leadership: Develop and execute a robust, phase-appropriate CMC strategy for Juvena’s entire development pipeline, ensuring alignment with corporate objectives, program timelines, and regulatory requirements.
- Technical Operations Oversight: Lead all drug substance (DS) and drug product (DP) activities, including cell line development, process development and optimization, scale-up, and cGMP manufacturing. Provide technical leadership for formulation, fill/finish, drug devices such as pre-filled syringes, and analytical development, including method validation and stability programs.
- Oversee internal small scale protein production, engineering, lead optimization, and bioanalytical R&D for discovery and preclinical programs
- Cross-Functional Collaboration: Serve as the CMC subject matter expert on cross-functional program teams across Research, Nonclinical Development, Clinical Development, and Quality Assurance. Work closely with Research and Nonclinical Development to provide protein production and QC leadership to enable robust research activities.
- CDMO Management: Identify, select, and manage a global network of CDMOs and Contract Testing Laboratories (CTLs). Foster strong partnerships to ensure timely execution, high-quality production, and adherence to all regulatory standards for clinical trial material.
- Regulatory Strategy & Submissions: In partnership with Regulatory Affairs, define the CMC regulatory strategy for interactions with global health authorities (e.g., FDA, EMA). Lead the authoring and critical review of all CMC sections for regulatory submissions, including INDs, IMPDs, briefing documents, and future BLAs/MAAs.
- Team Leadership & Development: Build and lead a high-performing CMC organization. Mentor and develop team members, fostering a culture of scientific excellence, accountability, and innovation.
- Budget & Timeline Management: Develop and manage CMC budgets, project timelines, and resources effectively. Proactively identify and mitigate risks to ensure program continuity and success.
- Quality & Compliance: Ensure all CMC-related activities are conducted in strict compliance with current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP), ICH guidelines, and relevant global regulatory standards.
Position Qualifications
- Educational Background: An advanced degree (Ph.D. preferred) in Chemical Engineering, Biochemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or a related scientific discipline.
- Industry Experience: A minimum of 15+ years of progressive experience in the biopharmaceutical industry, with extensive experience in the CMC development of biologics (e.g., recombinant proteins, fusion proteins, monoclonal antibodies).
- Development Stage Experience: Proven track record of leading CMC programs from preclinical stages through Phase 2/3 clinical development is required. Late-stage development and commercialization experience is highly desirable. As is familiarity with drug-device combination products.
- Outsourcing Expertise: Demonstrated success in managing a fully outsourced manufacturing model, including the selection, negotiation, and oversight of CDMOs/CTLs.
- In-house Protein Manufacturing: Demonstrated success in managing internal R&D protein production and lead optimization activities
- Regulatory Acumen: Deep knowledge of cGMP, ICH guidelines, and global regulatory expectations. Must have direct experience authoring and reviewing CMC sections of regulatory submissions (INDs, IMPDs) and interacting with regulatory agencies.
- Leadership Skills: Proven ability to build, lead, and mentor a high-performing team. Exceptional leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence and align stakeholders across the organization.
- Mindset: A strategic thinker with operational agility who thrives in a fast-paced, dynamic, and collaborative biotech environment. Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to balance big-picture strategy with hands-on execution.
Compensation
- Competitive salary, annual bonus and stock options
- Health/Dental/Vision insurance
- Paid vacation and holidays
- Partial 401K matching
- Pay Range: $210,000 – $275,000 yearly
Career Opportunities at Juvena Therapeutics, Inc.
At Juvena Therapeutics, we believe everyone deserves a seat at the table and an equal chance at success, regardless of gender, race, sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity, cultural heritage, or
age. Most importantly, we are an equal opportunity employer and respect an individual’s right to freedom of expression within the boundaries of mutual respect and equal treatment.
We are seeking to grow our company with a diverse team of enthusiastic scientists and technologists who share our vision and determination to discover and develop tissue-restorative biologics to tackle muscle, metabolic, and age-related chronic diseases and promote healthspan. Explore all our open positions, and let’s grow together at https://www.juvenatherapeutics.com/careers/.
Apply Now
Please email your CV and Cover Letter to apply@juvenatherapeutics.com with the title of the position as the subject line.
