Vice President, Pharmaceutical & Process Development
Stoke Therapeutics
Summary
This role will define and advance the scientific and technical strategy for Stoke's Pharmaceutical & Process Development organization, enabling the discovery, preclinical evaluation, and technical development of transformative medicines that address the underlying causes of severe disease. This leader will guide multidisciplinary teams, external collaborators, strategic partners, and vendors to strengthen differentiated platform capabilities and translate scientific innovation into high-impact therapeutic opportunities.
Job description
Position Purpose
This role will define and advance the scientific and technical strategy for Stoke's Pharmaceutical & Process Development organization, enabling the discovery, preclinical evaluation, and technical development of transformative medicines that address the underlying causes of severe disease. This leader will guide multidisciplinary teams, external collaborators, strategic partners, and vendors to strengthen differentiated platform capabilities and translate scientific innovation into high-impact therapeutic opportunities.
Key Responsibilities
- Define and execute an enterprise-level strategic roadmap for oligonucleotide-based therapeutics, spanning nucleotide medicinal chemistry, process and analytical sciences, delivery strategy, and formulation innovation
- Advance platform innovation within an R&D environment to broaden the reach, differentiation, and therapeutic impact of oligonucleotides in regulating disease-relevant gene expression
- Identify, assess, and integrate novel technologies that extend the impact of TANGO and other nucleic acid approaches by improving target presentation and engagement across disease-relevant tissues and cell types
- Bring senior technical leadership and fluency across ASO, siRNA and PMO technologies, including chemistry, process and analytical sciences, delivery strategy, and formulation approaches
- Build, lead, and scale high-performing scientific teams responsible for nucleic acid chemistries, bioconjugates, delivery systems, process development, analytical characterization, biological validation, and technical implementation
- Apply scientific insight, strategic judgment, and disciplined governance to evaluate therapeutic concepts and platform technologies based on potential impact, differentiation, and product or technology risk
- Partner with R&D and program leadership to shape early-stage therapeutic concepts, inform strategic direction and resourcing decisions, and support selection and advancement of pipeline candidates
- Establish and steward external partnerships and collaborations that expand Stoke's technologic capabilities in alignment with the organization's mission and strategic priorities
- Represent platform capabilities and technologies with credibility and influence among internal stakeholders, external scientific leaders, partners, and collaborators
Required Skills & Experience
- PhD in Chemical Biology, Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or a related discipline, with 12+ years of progressive pharmaceutical, biotechnology, or life sciences industry leadership experience spanning formulation, novel delivery technologies, medicinal chemistry, process and analytical development, platform strategy, and organizational leadership
- Strong understanding of and experience with developability assessment criteria and global CMC/regulatory guidance and expectations for development and commercialization of complex modalities including oligo (ASO, siRNA) and nucleic acid therapeutics
- Distinguished record of scientific innovation, reflected through publications, patents, INDs/CTAs/NDAs/BLAs, and advancement of therapeutics with novel mechanisms of action and/or delivery into preclinical and clinical development
- Demonstrated ability to leverage internal capabilities, external innovation, and strategic collaborations to operationalize strategic plans and advance platform technologies from discovery through clinical development
- Proven track record building and leading high-performing integrated teams, developing talent, and balancing enterprise priorities across efficiency, risk, and innovation
- Proven track record of innovation, strategic thinking, strong problem-solving skills, cross-functional collaboration, data-driven decision making, and organizational skills
- Ability to build and sustain an inclusive, collaborative culture that supports innovation and continuous improvement
- Exceptional communication skills, both verbal and written, with a proven ability to distill technically complex topics to all audiences, present recommendations, and drive alignment with senior leadership and cross-functional stakeholders
- Ability to navigate and influence within a complex matrix organization
Requirements
- PhD in Chemical Biology, Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or a related discipline
- 12+ years of progressive pharmaceutical, biotechnology, or life sciences industry leadership experience
- Experience spanning formulation, novel delivery technologies, medicinal chemistry, process and analytical development, platform strategy, and organizational leadership
- Strong understanding of developability assessment criteria and global CMC/regulatory guidance for complex modalities including oligo (ASO, siRNA) and nucleic acid therapeutics
- Distinguished record of scientific innovation reflected through publications, patents, INDs/CTAs/NDAs/BLAs
- Demonstrated ability to leverage internal capabilities, external innovation, and strategic collaborations
- Proven track record building and leading high-performing integrated teams and developing talent
- Proven track record of innovation, strategic thinking, strong problem-solving skills, cross-functional collaboration, data-driven decision making, and organizational skills
- Ability to build and sustain an inclusive, collaborative culture
- Exceptional verbal and written communication skills
- Ability to navigate and influence within a complex matrix organization
Benefits
- Medical, Dental & Vision
- Life Insurance
- Long- & Short-Term Disability
- Paid Parental Leave
- 401(k) Matching
- Unlimited PTO
- Tuition Assistance
- ESPP
- Annual Bonus
- Equity Participation
Company overview
Stoke Therapeutics (Nasdaq: STOK) is a biotechnology company dedicated to developing novel RNA-based medicines for severe genetic diseases. Founded in 2014 and headquartered in Bedford, Massachusetts, the company employs its proprietary TANGO (Targeted Augmentation of Nuclear Gene Output) approach to create antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) that selectively restore naturally-occurring protein levels. Stoke's innovative platform focuses on haploinsufficiency diseases where patients have approximately 50% of normal protein levels, primarily targeting conditions affecting the central nervous system and eyes. The company's lead investigational medicine, zorevunersen (STK-001), is currently in Phase 3 clinical trials for Dravet syndrome, a severe form of childhood epilepsy, and has demonstrated promising disease-modifying potential. Stoke also has preclinical programs including STK-002 for autosomal dominant optic atrophy. The company has established strategic collaborations with industry leaders like Biogen for Dravet syndrome development and Acadia Pharmaceuticals for neurodevelopmental disorders. With approximately 51-200 employees, Stoke Therapeutics represents a pioneering force in RNA medicine, aiming to address unmet medical needs in rare genetic diseases through its innovative protein restoration technology.