VP, Research & Head of Preclinical Development

Location: Flexible
Reports to: CEO (with scientific guidance from Dr. Kam Leong and Dr. Ed Xue)
Employment Type: Full-Time

About LionBio

LionBio is advancing a proprietary nanoparticle platform for intranasal drug delivery, beginning with GLP-1 receptor agonists for obesity. Our preclinical data demonstrates both systemic absorption and direct nose-to-brain delivery—a dual mechanism that differentiates our approach from traditional oral and injectable therapies.

We are building a platform with the potential to expand beyond metabolic disease into neurological and CNS indications, including addiction and neurodegenerative disorders.

The Opportunity

We are seeking a VP of Research / Head of Preclinical Development to lead our preclinical strategy and execution. This role will own the scientific program responsible for validating LionBio’s platform and advancing our lead candidates toward clinical development.

The successful candidate will oversee pivotal animal studies, toxicology programs, CRO partnerships, and regulatory preparation while helping shape the future direction of the company’s therapeutic pipeline.

What You'll Do

• Lead pivotal large-animal studies, including protocol design, execution, data analysis, and reporting

• Direct GLP-compliant toxicology programs, including repeat-dose nasal toxicity, safety pharmacology, local tolerance assessments, and histopathology

• Select, manage, and oversee external CRO partners and study vendors

• Design and execute an ICH-compliant preclinical development strategy supporting both Australian CTN and future U.S. IND submissions

• Prepare and contribute to regulatory documentation, including IND-enabling preclinical sections

• Partner closely with LionBio leadership to optimize formulations and evaluate future pipeline opportunities

• Help guide expansion into next-generation metabolic and CNS therapeutic programs

Qualifications

Required

• Ph.D. in Pharmacology, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Drug Delivery, Biomedical Engineering, or a related discipline

• 5–10 years of industry experience in preclinical drug development

• Experience managing CROs across pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, toxicology, and related studies

• Background in nasal, inhaled, or mucosal drug delivery

• Experience supporting or authoring preclinical sections of regulatory submissions

• Working knowledge of GLP regulations and relevant ICH guidance

Preferred

• Experience leading programs involving nasal or inhaled therapeutics

• Prior work within major pharmaceutical or biotechnology companies

• Expertise in nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems

• Experience with nasal histopathology, toxicology, or related pathology networks

• Familiarity with species selection strategies and regulatory agency interactions

Why Join LionBio

• Lead the preclinical development of a novel nose-to-brain therapeutic platform

• Own the scientific strategy from study design through regulatory readiness

• Work alongside world-class experts in drug delivery, biomaterials, and translational medicine

• Generate the foundational data package for a platform with broad expansion potential across metabolic and neurological diseases

• Join at an early stage with meaningful ownership and influence over the company's direction

Compensation

• Base Salary: $150,000–$275,000

• Equity: 1–3% ownership (4-year vesting schedule with 1-year cliff)

Compensation is structured to provide meaningful long-term upside through equity participation alongside competitive early-stage biotech compensation.

First-Year Goals

• Finalize large-animal study design and select CRO partners

• Initiate pivotal efficacy studies and generate key data readouts

• Launch GLP toxicology studies and progress toward audited reporting

• Develop regulatory-ready preclinical documentation

• Contribute to the scientific foundation supporting LionBio's first clinical program