
Director, Toxicology
About Us
Jnana Therapeutics, a wholly owned subsidiary of Otsuka Pharmaceutical, is a clinical-stage biotechnology company leveraging its next-generation RAPID chemoproteomics platform to discover medicines for highly validated, challenging-to-drug targets to treat diseases with high unmet needs. Jnana is focused on developing first- and best-in-class therapies to treat a wide range of diseases, including rare diseases and immune-mediated diseases. Jnana’s lead program, JNT-517, which targets an allosteric site on the phenylalanine transporter SLC6A19, is a potential first-in-class oral approach for the treatment of PKU, a rare genetic metabolic disease. Located in Boston, Jnana brings together scientific leaders in small molecule drug discovery and development, and a highly experienced management team. For more information, please visit www.jnanatx.com and follow us on Twitter/X and LinkedIn.
At Jnana, you'll join a diverse, passionate team dedicated to advancing therapies for challenging diseases. Our collaborative, purpose-driven culture fosters innovation, urgency, and belonging—making Jnana a great place to work!
About the Opportunity
As Director of Toxicology at Jnana Therapeutics, you will lead nonclinical safety strategies to advance small molecule therapies for immunological and metabolic diseases, driving innovative programs into clinical development.
In this pivotal role, you will serve as the toxicology subject matter expert on cross-functional discovery and development teams. You will design, execute, and interpret toxicology studies, providing expert risk assessment and mitigation strategies to shape both early- and late-stage programs.
Responsibilities
- Advise discovery and development teams on safety strategies for early and late assets and supporting compound prioritization and advancement.
- Design and interpret in vitro and in vivo toxicology studies aligned with regulatory requirements and program goals.
- Oversee CRO partnerships to ensure high-quality execution of outsourced toxicology studies, including protocol development to final reports.
- Communicate toxicology findings and risk assessments clearly to project teams and senior leadership, supporting data-driven decision making.
- Collaborate with early discovery teams to evaluate target safety risks based on published biology, models, and clinical precedent, and advise on de-risking strategies.
- Contribute to regulatory documents, including nonclinical summaries and IND/CTA submissions.
- Provide strategic input on nonclinical development plans and regulatory interactions with safety, clinical, and regulatory teams.
- Stay current on global regulatory requirements and trends in toxicology and safety science.
- Engage external experts as needed.
- This is a hybrid position, but regular on-site presence required to foster collaboration.
Preferred Qualifications & Past Experience
- Ph.D. (or equivalent) in toxicology, pharmacology, immunology, or a related discipline, with 10 years of post-graduate experience, including 7+ years in industry.
- Proven expertise in designing and interpreting nonclinical safety studies, particularly in immunology and metabolic disease programs.
- Experience managing outsourced studies at CROs.
- Strong background in immune-related risks, immune modulation, and mechanistic toxicology, with the ability to analyze complex data sets to support compound progression and regulatory submissions.
- Strong regulatory expertise, including successful IND/CTA submissions
- Experience with both non-covalent and covalent small molecules is strongly preferred.
- Diplomate of the American Board of Toxicology (DABT) is highly desired.
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