About Us

Serna Bio is building the world’s first map of the druggable transcriptome, systematically opening up the universe of RNA biology to small-molecule drug modulation. Using our Discovery Platform, we are tackling the classically intractable targets, with an initial focus on Oncology and Rare Disease.

The current toolkit for developing drugs is focused almost entirely on protein targets. However, 85% of the approximate 3 billion base pairs in the human genome encodes for RNA but not protein. Our platform enables a novel approach to understanding RNA structure, function and binding sites in order to develop a new class of drugs. Targeting RNA in this way enables us to explore therapeutics for the many diseases with no known treatments.

Our mission is to develop a new class of drugs that will impact patient lives. We are curious, nimble, breaking new ground and growing fast. Come make an impact with us and be part of our story.

The Role

We are looking for a Director of Biology to spearhead our programs and to take the lead on moving us towards DC selection, IND filing and clinical development. You will be a sole contributor working directly with the CEO and will have a chance to grow out a team as the company scales.

How You’ll Help

Working with the CEO, you will be a key contributor to Serna Bio’s Program successes, leading from target selection to DC selection and IND filing into early clinical development, taking proactive and detail-oriented ownership of each step including the further build and development of relevant screening cascades, management of CROs and collaboration with external parties.

In this high-impact role, you will sit at the intersection of R&D and clinical and will be a vital resource as Serna Bio scales. You will work cross-functionally with our R&D, Comp Bio and ChemAI teams.

The successful candidate will receive an opportunity for career development that is as fast-paced as your ambition, all while gaining the opportunity to have a front-row seat at a dynamic and rapidly growing startup company, playing a key role in fundraising rounds.

We’re looking for an experienced, capable and growth-minded professional for a high-visibility, high-impact role.

Key deliverables include:

• Lead internal target selection, and validation (including assay development, compound screening, in vitro and in vivo pharmacology including in vivo PK/PD/efficacy models as well as additional studies (including toxicity) required to declare a compelling clinical candidate. Further, play a central role in planning and executing IND studies as well as contributing significantly to IND preparation and filing.

• Work with our AI/ML platform and Biologists to support efforts in Drug Discovery and Translational Biology, including demonstrating mechanisms of action then used to develop a biomarker and patient preselection strategy to aid clinical development.

• Collaborate with internal and external partners, key opinion leaders, CROs, biotech companies, translational and development groups.