Chief Medical Officer
Remote
$165,000–$200,000
Location: Flexible
Reports to: CEO
Employment Type: Fractional (10–15 hrs/week) transitioning to Full-Time
About LionBio
LionBio is developing a first-in-class intranasal GLP-1 receptor agonist powered by a proprietary nose-to-brain delivery platform. Our mission is to transform how metabolic medicines are delivered by creating a more effective and patient-friendly therapeutic experience.
Starting with obesity and metabolic disease, we are building a platform with the potential to expand into broader therapeutic applications through innovative intranasal drug delivery technology.
The Opportunity
We are seeking a Chief Medical Officer to lead LionBio's clinical and regulatory strategy as we advance our lead programs toward first-in-human studies.
This role will oversee clinical development, regulatory planning, and medical strategy while helping shape the future direction of our platform. The ideal candidate brings deep expertise in metabolic disease, obesity therapeutics, and early-stage clinical development, along with a passion for building transformative therapies from the ground up.
What You'll Do
Lead clinical development strategy for LionBio's intranasal therapeutic platform
Design and oversee Phase 1 clinical studies, including protocol development and CRO management
Serve as medical monitor for preclinical and clinical programs
Guide regulatory strategy and interactions supporting future clinical development
Develop long-term clinical plans from first-in-human studies through later-stage development
Build relationships with key opinion leaders across obesity medicine, endocrinology, and related specialties
Represent LionBio to investors, partners, advisors, and the broader medical community
Help establish the clinical framework supporting future commercial and regulatory opportunities
Qualifications
Required
M.D. degree required
10+ years of clinical development experience in metabolic disease, obesity, endocrinology, or related therapeutic areas
Experience designing and executing Phase 1 and Phase 2 clinical studies
Familiarity with FDA regulatory pathways and early-stage drug development
Experience serving as a medical monitor, principal investigator, or clinical development leader
Strong scientific communication and cross-functional leadership skills
Preferred
Former Chief Medical Officer, VP Clinical Development, or senior physician leader within biotechnology or pharmaceutical organizations
Experience with obesity, metabolic disease, or GLP-1 therapeutics
Experience with nasal, inhaled, or advanced drug delivery technologies
Familiarity with international clinical development and regulatory pathways
Prior startup or emerging biotechnology company experience
Why Join LionBio
Shape the clinical strategy for a novel therapeutic platform in one of the fastest-growing categories in medicine
Design and lead first-in-human studies from the earliest stages of development
Work alongside world-class experts in drug delivery, biomaterials, and translational medicine
Build a scientific and clinical network around an emerging field of therapeutic innovation
Join at an early stage with meaningful ownership and influence over company strategy
Compensation
Fractional Engagement
$5,000–$10,000 monthly retainer
Approximately 10–15 hours per week
Opportunity to transition into a full-time executive leadership role
Full-Time Compensation
Base Salary: $150,000–$250,000
Equity: 0.75–2.0% ownership (4-year vesting schedule with 1-year cliff)
Compensation is designed to provide significant long-term upside through meaningful equity participation alongside competitive early-stage biotech compensation.
First-Year Goals
Establish the clinical development strategy for LionBio's lead program
Finalize and prepare first-in-human study protocols
Advance regulatory planning and submission readiness
Build a network of clinical advisors and key opinion leaders
Create a development roadmap supporting progression through early clinical milestones