VP, Biotherapeutics Discovery

About Stipple Bio:

Stipple Bio, Inc. is a private biotechnology company harnessing epitope-level precision to create targeted cancer therapies. We pioneered a Pointillist ‘epitomics’ discovery platform to unlock tumor-specific epitopes and develop a pipeline of next-generation precision oncology therapeutics with a high therapeutic index. Our lead candidate STP-100, designed to avoid on-target/off-tumor toxicity, is expected to enter clinical studies in early 2027. Stipple Bio is well capitalized and has announced a $100M Series A financing which supports the company into 2029.

Position Summary:

The Vice President, Biotherapeutics Discovery is a senior leadership role within the Research organization, reporting to the Chief Scientific Officer. Based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, this individual will build and direct Stipple Bio’s platform technology, target discovery, biotherapeutics discovery and protein engineering functions, lead the design and optimization of therapeutic molecules from concept through development candidate nomination. The VP will set the biotherapeutics discovery strategy and partner with VP of Translational Biology to translate tumor-specific epitopes into a pipeline of high therapeutic index precision oncology therapeutics across modalities, including functional multi-specific antibodies, antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), and T cell engagers (TCEs). As both a scientific leader and an exceptional people manager, the successful candidate will recruit, mentor, and inspire a multidisciplinary team, and bring a sense of urgency and commitment to help Stipple Bio deliver patient life changing medicines.

Job Duties:

Build, lead, mentor, and grow a high-performing platform technology, target discovery, antibody discovery and protein engineering team, fostering a collaborative, rigorous, and mission-driven culture
Define and drive the antibody discovery and engineering strategy, from target and epitope validation through lead identification, optimization, and development candidate nomination
Lead the design and engineering of therapeutic molecules across modalities, including antibodies, ADCs, TCEs, and other multi-specific biologics
Direct target and antibody discovery campaigns leveraging display technologies (phage/yeast), immunization, and in silico/ML-guided design
Oversee protein engineering including affinity humanization, maturation, format engineering (bispecifics/multispecifics), and developability optimization (stability, solubility, aggregation, immunogenicity risk, manufacturability)
Establish and scale platform technologies, drive throughput and quality improvements, and work closely with Business Development to evaluate/onboard new technologies and external platform partnerships to sustain competitive advantage
Partner cross-functionally with translational biology, CMC, clinical and program leadership to advance candidates toward IND
Critically contribute to pipeline strategy, from selection of targets, evaluation of modalities and enabling technologies to product concept development
Partner with the CSO and executive team to prioritize programs and allocate resources,
Represent platform technology and biotherapeutics discovery to the executive team, Board, and external partners

Qualifications:

Required

PhD in Immunology, Protein Science, Biochemistry, Molecular/Cell Biology, or a related discipline
12+ years of biotech/pharma industry drug discovery experience, with substantial focus on antibody therapeutics (prior industry experience is essential)
Deep expertise across antibody discovery platforms and protein engineering including TCE and/or other multi-specific formats
Demonstrated track record of advancing biologics candidates from discovery into development, ideally in oncology
Proven people leadership—building, mentoring, and leading high-performing discovery teams and functions
Strong understanding of structure-based or computational design approaches
Track record of cross-functional leadership and advancing programs toward clinical candidate nomination and IND

Preferred

Experience with antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), T cell engagers TCEs and/or other targeted oncology modalities
Track record of productive external partnerships or collaborations
Experience building and scaling discovery platform and functions in a fast-paced, early-stage biotech environment
Publication and/or patent record in antibody engineering or therapeutic discovery
Experience with ML/computational antibody design and integration of in silico methods into discovery is a plus

Personal attributes: visionary yet hands-on, an inspiring people leader, team oriented, goal-driven, highly collaborative, open-minded, data-driven, creative, persistent in the face of obstacles and uncertainty, decisive, nimble, self-aware of strengths and weaknesses, objective in the evaluation of data, and strongly optimistic about overcoming challenges.