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Full-Time

Senior Research Associate

Medicinal Chemistry

Posted on 10/1/2024

Alltrna

Alltrna

51-200 employees

Develops tRNA-based therapies for diseases

Biotechnology
Healthcare

Junior, Mid

Cambridge, MA, USA

Category
Lab & Research
Life Sciences
Required Skills
Communications
Requirements
  • BS degree in Chemistry, Biochemistry, or related discipline with 3+ years (MS with 1+ year) relevant industry experience in an industrial or academic setting.
  • Strong experience in oligonucleotide purification techniques is essential. Experience with automated oligonucleotide synthesis is highly preferred.
  • Proficiency in laboratory skills and hands-on experience with analytical instrumentation such as HPLC, LC-MS, and UV-Vis spectrometry is required. Experience in developing chromatographic methods (IEX and IP-RP HPLC) is a plus.
  • Demonstrated ability in strategic thinking, project management, and excellent verbal and written communication skills.
  • A working knowledge of oligonucleotide chemistries, RNA biology, oligonucleotide screening technologies, and in vivo applications is advantageous for effective team collaboration.
Responsibilities
  • Perform automated solid-phase synthesis, downstream processing, purification, and characterization of oligonucleotides, utilizing state-of-the-art platforms. Support and enhance current RNA synthesis capabilities by integrating innovative chemistries.
  • Operate specialized oligonucleotide synthesizers (e.g., Dr. Oligo, Mermade and AKTA ) with guidance to produce high-quality oligonucleotides.
  • Utilize high-throughput methods for the deprotection and purification of chemically modified oligonucleotides.
  • Collaborate closely with program and platform teams to manage oligonucleotide synthesis and purification projects, contributing to the discovery and development of novel engineered tRNA therapeutics.
  • Develop and implement new and existing chemistries and purification methods to advance our oligonucleotide therapeutics platform.
  • Work as a key contributor on cross-functional teams, including DMPK, biology, pharmacology, and R&D informatics. Partner with CMC teams to scale up and transition novel modalities and processes into development.

Alltrna focuses on developing tRNA therapeutics to treat diseases caused by genetic mutations. Their main product involves engineered tRNAs that can recognize and read stop codons, which are errors in the genetic code that lead to the production of incomplete proteins. By delivering the correct amino acids, these tRNAs help restore the production of full-length proteins, potentially addressing a wide range of diseases linked to nonsense mutations. Unlike other biotech companies, Alltrna is the first to explore the therapeutic potential of tRNA in this way, aiming to unlock new treatment options for patients with specific genetic disorders. The goal of Alltrna is to provide effective treatments that target the root causes of diseases, improving the quality of life for those affected.

Company Stage

Series B

Total Funding

$159M

Headquarters

Cambridge, Massachusetts

Founded

2018

Growth & Insights
Headcount

6 month growth

-9%

1 year growth

-12%

2 year growth

36%
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Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • The recent $109 million Series B financing round provides substantial capital to advance their platform and drug candidates, indicating strong investor confidence.
  • Presentations at high-profile conferences like ASGCT and TIDES USA 2024 highlight Alltrna's growing recognition and thought leadership in the biotech community.
  • The appointment of experienced leaders like Chris Henderson as Chief Scientific Officer strengthens their executive team, potentially accelerating innovation and clinical progress.

What critics are saying

  • The novel nature of tRNA therapeutics means there is a high level of scientific and clinical uncertainty, which could delay or derail development efforts.
  • The competitive biotech landscape, especially in genetic therapies, requires continuous innovation to maintain a leading position.

What makes Alltrna unique

  • Alltrna is the first biotech company to decode tRNA biology and leverage it for therapeutic purposes, setting it apart in the biotech landscape.
  • Their focus on treating diseases caused by nonsense mutations through tRNA therapeutics is a unique approach that addresses a significant unmet medical need.
  • The integration of AI/ML tools in their platform enhances their capability to develop diverse programmable molecules, providing a technological edge over competitors.