The Heart Company
Scientific Lead, Cardiac Regeneration
The Heart Company, South San Francisco, California, us, 94083
About Us
Heart Failure is one of humanity's biggest problems. It is the largest cause of death in the US and the world, and we are on a mission to cure this disease. We are taking a first principles approach to cure chronic heart failure (HF), starting with a focus on late stage ischemic heart failure (the leading form of HF). Using proven therapeutic modalities (mRNA, siRNA, AAV), machine learning, and precision delivery systems, we're developing therapies designed to restore heart tissue based on recent breakthroughs and are building out a platform that most predictively recapitulates the human disease. Our science and platform is composed of advanced in vivo and in vitro systems that allow us to predict improvements in heart failure with unique precision. By building a curative therapy for this disease, we believe we can go beyond the current standard of care in heart failure and significantly improve health and lifespan for patients suffering from heart disease.
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Role Summary We are seeking a scientifically driven leader to spearhead the design and development of molecular therapeutics targeting cardiac regeneration. This scientist will drive the design and development of advanced molecular therapeutics (mRNA, siRNA, AAV) focused on cardiomyocyte regeneration and functional cardiac restoration. You will oversee end-to-end preclinical development, spanning target discovery, payload design, functional validation, and IND-enabling studies, with a mandate to build high-value data packages for first-in-human advancement. Our ideal candidate has extreme depth in the field – the technology, models, previous success, and specific assays and screening techniques – and can apply their expertise to our platform starting with heart failure. As one of the first scientists at the company, the role will play an instrumental role in shaping the scientific strategy and execution, business opportunities, and overall cementing The Heart Company as a leader in cardiac regeneration.
Key Responsibilities Lead the design, optimization, and validation of molecular therapeutics targeting cardiac regeneration, with an emphasis on cardiomyocyte proliferation, survival, and functional integration Establish, refine, and oversee in vitro and in vivo cardiac disease models that are mechanistically aligned with ischemic heart failure pathology and regenerative endpoints (e.g., ejection fraction, myocardial viability, contractility) Apply academic and other innovative research findings into successful therapeutic candidates Translate key regenerative biology insights into functional therapeutic constructs suitable for systemic and cardiac-targeted delivery (mRNA, siRNA, AAV) Build and lead a high-functioning scientific team while managing cross-functional collaborations with CROs/CDMOs to ensure rigorous construct development and preclinical testing Oversee assay development including molecular, cellular, and functional cardiac readouts, enabling precise translational correlations to human disease Collaborate with Translational Head and other scientists on preclinical strategy, integrating discovery science, translational biomarkers, and regulatory-enabling data generation
Qualifications PhD in biological discipline, focused in cardiac biology and/or regenerative medicine Experience translating therapeutics and academic concepts into applied therapeutics; our ideal candidate has experience moving from research phase to clinical Proven track record advancing cardiomyocyte-directed or cardiac regeneration therapies from discovery through IND-enabling stages. Familiarity in molecular therapeutic modalities (mRNA, siRNA, AAV), with demonstrated ability to design and optimize payloads for in vivo cardiac application and how each can be utilized for regeneration Strong background in establishing cardiac-specific assay platforms, including in vitro functional assays and in vivo models of ischemic injury and regeneration Experience managing external partnerships (CRO/CDMO) and building internal teams to scale therapeutic discovery platforms Expertise in specific cardiac regenerative pathways or assay types (e.g., EdU labeling, functional echo readouts) is preferred Strategic thinker with ability to integrate biology, delivery, pharmacology, and regulatory considerations into a cohesive preclinical development plan Strong communication and leadership skills, with the ability to present to scientific boards, investors, and external collaborators Entrepreneurial mindset with an innate ability to strategize and execute simultaneously
We offer competitive compensation and benefits tailored to attract top talent in a fast-paced biotech startup environment. Backed by strong funding, our package includes market-aligned salary, meaningful equity, comprehensive health coverage, and the flexibility.
Interested in learning more about this job Scroll down and find out what skills, experience and educational qualifications are needed.
Role Summary We are seeking a scientifically driven leader to spearhead the design and development of molecular therapeutics targeting cardiac regeneration. This scientist will drive the design and development of advanced molecular therapeutics (mRNA, siRNA, AAV) focused on cardiomyocyte regeneration and functional cardiac restoration. You will oversee end-to-end preclinical development, spanning target discovery, payload design, functional validation, and IND-enabling studies, with a mandate to build high-value data packages for first-in-human advancement. Our ideal candidate has extreme depth in the field – the technology, models, previous success, and specific assays and screening techniques – and can apply their expertise to our platform starting with heart failure. As one of the first scientists at the company, the role will play an instrumental role in shaping the scientific strategy and execution, business opportunities, and overall cementing The Heart Company as a leader in cardiac regeneration.
Key Responsibilities Lead the design, optimization, and validation of molecular therapeutics targeting cardiac regeneration, with an emphasis on cardiomyocyte proliferation, survival, and functional integration Establish, refine, and oversee in vitro and in vivo cardiac disease models that are mechanistically aligned with ischemic heart failure pathology and regenerative endpoints (e.g., ejection fraction, myocardial viability, contractility) Apply academic and other innovative research findings into successful therapeutic candidates Translate key regenerative biology insights into functional therapeutic constructs suitable for systemic and cardiac-targeted delivery (mRNA, siRNA, AAV) Build and lead a high-functioning scientific team while managing cross-functional collaborations with CROs/CDMOs to ensure rigorous construct development and preclinical testing Oversee assay development including molecular, cellular, and functional cardiac readouts, enabling precise translational correlations to human disease Collaborate with Translational Head and other scientists on preclinical strategy, integrating discovery science, translational biomarkers, and regulatory-enabling data generation
Qualifications PhD in biological discipline, focused in cardiac biology and/or regenerative medicine Experience translating therapeutics and academic concepts into applied therapeutics; our ideal candidate has experience moving from research phase to clinical Proven track record advancing cardiomyocyte-directed or cardiac regeneration therapies from discovery through IND-enabling stages. Familiarity in molecular therapeutic modalities (mRNA, siRNA, AAV), with demonstrated ability to design and optimize payloads for in vivo cardiac application and how each can be utilized for regeneration Strong background in establishing cardiac-specific assay platforms, including in vitro functional assays and in vivo models of ischemic injury and regeneration Experience managing external partnerships (CRO/CDMO) and building internal teams to scale therapeutic discovery platforms Expertise in specific cardiac regenerative pathways or assay types (e.g., EdU labeling, functional echo readouts) is preferred Strategic thinker with ability to integrate biology, delivery, pharmacology, and regulatory considerations into a cohesive preclinical development plan Strong communication and leadership skills, with the ability to present to scientific boards, investors, and external collaborators Entrepreneurial mindset with an innate ability to strategize and execute simultaneously
We offer competitive compensation and benefits tailored to attract top talent in a fast-paced biotech startup environment. Backed by strong funding, our package includes market-aligned salary, meaningful equity, comprehensive health coverage, and the flexibility.