Full-Time
Translational Pharmacology Director
Translational Pharmacology
5AM Ventures
11-50 employees
Venture capital investing in life-science innovations
Compensation Overview
$180k - $230k/yr
Oakland, CA, USA
Hybrid
 Biology & Biotech (2) |
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- PhD, MD, or equivalent in pharmacology, biomedical sciences, or related field
- Significant experience in preclinical pharmacology within biotech or pharmaceutical settings
- Experience in choosing appropriate animal models
- Deep expertise in PK/PD modeling, with strong grounding in chemical kinetics and quantitative biology
- Proven experience designing studies to evaluate drug combinations and synergy, including application of factorial experimental design
- Demonstrated experience designing and interpreting in vivo pharmacology studies
- Experience in advancing preclinical candidates through IND-enabling studies and contributing meaningfully to IND submissions
- Strong statistical and data analysis skills
- Experience in metabolic diseases, particularly obesity and/or diabetes, strongly preferred
- Lead the design, execution, and interpretation of preclinical pharmacology studies supporting drug discovery and development programs
- Develop and apply quantitative PK/PD models, integrating pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and chemical kinetics to guide compound optimization and dosing strategies
- Design and oversee in vivo studies, including selection and development of appropriate animal models
- Drive rigorous data analysis, including statistical evaluation and modeling to inform decision-making
- Translate preclinical findings into clinically relevant hypotheses and development strategies
- Collaborate closely with teams to optimize drug candidates and delivery systems
- Contribute to regulatory documentation and strategy (IND-enabling studies, study reports, etc.)
- Build and manage relationships with CROs and external collaborators
- None specified
5AM Ventures is an investment firm focused on backing advanced life science innovations. It diversifies its bets across biopharmaceutical therapeutics and platform technologies, investing within multiple therapeutic areas and modalities. Its approach targets opportunities built on innovative platform platforms, corporate spin-offs, and products with shorter development timelines. The firm’s “product” is providing capital, strategic guidance, and resources to portfolio companies to help them reach clinically or commercially viable milestones faster. Unlike some investors that emphasize a single niche, 5AM differentiates itself by breadth across life science sectors and a focus on technologies with the potential for quicker development cycles. The firm’s goal is to create value by supporting responsible, science-driven progress in life sciences and helping portfolio companies advance promising therapies and platforms to patients and markets.
Company Size
11-50
Company Stage
N/A
Total Funding
$9.2B
Headquarters
Menlo Park, California
Founded
2002
Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- Led IDEAYA's $46M Series A with Canaan, Celgene, Novartis participation.
- Co-invested in MapLight's $372.5M Series D for Phase 2 schizophrenia trials.
- Deployed in CAMP4, Artiva IPOs and Ensoma gene therapy in 2024.
What critics are saying
- Centessa, Celldex holdings depreciate 10-20% in 6-12 months.
- 5AM VII exhausts $450M post-January 2026, misses Series A deals.
- 80% Series A failures via 4:59 wipe out VII returns in 24-36 months.
What makes 5AM Ventures unique
- 5AM Ventures incubates via 4:59 Initiative for pre-Series A breakthroughs.
- 5AM Opportunities II targets public and later-stage biotech separately.
- Focuses on biopharma, drug delivery, and life science instruments.
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Benefits
Wellness Program
Mental Health Support
Conference Attendance Budget
Professional Development Budget
Remote Work Options
Hybrid Work Options
Flexible Work Hours
401(k) Retirement Plan
401(k) Company Match
Paid Vacation
Paid Holidays
PTO/vacation is mentioned? Not explicitly; will not assume beyond listed items
Health Insurance
Dental Insurance
Vision Insurance
Life Insurance
Disability Insurance
Fertility Treatment Support
Family Planning Benefits
Adoption Assistance
Parental Leave
Stock Options
Company Equity
Education allowance
Professional Certification Support
Tuition Reimbursement
Mentorship Program
Gym Membership
Phone/Internet Stipend
Home Office Stipend
Wellness Program
Mental Health Support
Company News
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Top 10 Pharma Drug Discovery Delivery capital raises and investors in the U.S. - november 16th - december 31st, 2025. Several interesting transactions closed in the Pharma Drug Discovery Delivery sector over the past month. If you would like more info on these deals or would like to discuss the capital raising market for your company, please contact me. * Surmodics, performance coating technologies for intravascular medical devices and chemical and biological components for in vitro diagnostic (IVD) immunoassay tests and microarrays, was acquired by GTCR through a $626.85 million public-to-private LBO. * Aeovian Pharmaceuticals, biotechnology therapies that address inflammatory and degenerative diseases, raised $55 million of Series B venture funding in a deal led by CTI Life Sciences Fund and Luma Group. * Imbria Pharmaceuticals, novel therapies for patients with life-altering cardiometabolic disorders, raised $66.70 million of Series B venture funding in a deal led by Deep Track Capital. * Mend, clinical nutritional products that assist people in healing and living a quality life, raised $20.45 million of Series A venture funding led by S2G Investments. * ProLynx, ultra-long-acting medicines for obesity and other metabolic diseases, raised $70 million through a combination of Series A-1, Series A-2, and Series A-3 venture funding in a deal led by OrbiMed and 5AM Ventures. * Vitrivax, thermostable vaccine formulations that eliminate barriers to global vaccination, raised $29.43 million through a combination of Series B-1 and Series B-2 venture funding in a deal led by RA Capital Management and Adjuvant Capital. * Addition Therapeutics, biotech and pharmaceutical research company that transforms genetic medicine, raised $106.5 million of venture funding from Abingworth, SR One Capital Management and Osage University Partners. * Quarry Thera, proximity-driven therapeutics that overcomes limitations in conventional drug modalities, raised $32 million of Series A venture funding from Eli Lilly, Yosemite and Canaan Partners. * Solve Therapeutics, drug development platform that develops novel antibody-drug conjugates, raised $321 million of Series A venture funding in a deal led by Yosemite. * Juniper Biosciences, therapeutic and diagnostic agents intended for precision healthcare and disease management purposes, raised $40 million of seed funding in a deal led by Nova Capital. Diana ruddy. Managing director. Please contact me if you have any questions or would like to discuss your capital raise:
Using a novel linker technology, the startup is developing versions of incretin and non-incretin therapies that can be administered monthly or quarterly.