Scientist/Sr. Scientist, Oligo Chemistry

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Korsana Biosciences

WebsiteLinkedInAll Job Openings

2 - 10 employees

🧬 Biotechnology

💊 Pharmaceuticals

Biotechnology • Pharmaceuticals

Korsana Biosciences is a biotechnology company discovering and developing novel, precision-engineered therapeutics to reduce the burden of neurodegenerative diseases by improving delivery of drugs to the central nervous system. The company has developed a blood-brain barrier (BBB)-penetrant shuttle platform called THETA™ (in partnership with Paragon Therapeutics) to enhance CNS exposure of investigational therapies and is advancing programs targeting Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative conditions. Korsana maintains a clinical-stage pipeline (e. g. , KRSA-028), engages in industry partnerships, and recently announced a merger agreement with Cyclerion Therapeutics to further its development efforts.

📋 Description

• Design and optimize chemically modified oligonucleotides, including siRNAs, ASOs, PMOs, and other emerging modalities. • Develop novel nucleoside analogs, phosphoramidites, backbone chemistries, and oligonucleotide architectures to improve potency, stability, durability, and tissue delivery. • Generate and interpret structure-activity relationships (SAR) to guide lead optimization across oligonucleotide chemistries and modification patterns. • Design oligonucleotide libraries in collaboration with bioinformatics and biology teams to support cellular and in vivo screening campaigns. • Develop synthetic routes for novel oligonucleotide building blocks using modern organic and nucleoside chemistry approaches. • Oversee the synthesis, purification, and analytical characterization of oligonucleotides and intermediates, leveraging both internal capabilities and external CRO partners. • Manage external CROs, including experimental design, prioritization, technical oversight, data review, timeline management, and troubleshooting to ensure high-quality and timely project execution. • Develop and apply analytical methods, including RP-HPLC, IEX, LC-MS, CE, and SEC, to characterize oligonucleotides and support process development. • Partner closely with biology, pharmacology, toxicology, and translational sciences teams to understand how chemical modifications impact biological activity and therapeutic performance. • Contribute to next-generation oligonucleotide platform technologies, including novel chemistries, delivery strategies, and manufacturability improvements. • Evaluate emerging technologies and scientific literature to identify innovative approaches that enhance potency, extrahepatic delivery, durability, and safety. • Maintain thorough technical documentation and effectively communicate experimental strategies, results, and recommendations to cross-functional teams.

🎯 Requirements

• Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry, Medicinal Chemistry, or a related discipline with 0-6 years of relevant industry experience, or M.S. with 2-8 years of industry experience in oligonucleotide therapeutic development. • Extensive hands-on experience in organic synthesis and nucleoside chemistry, including the synthesis and characterization of phosphoramidites or related oligonucleotide building blocks. • Demonstrated expertise in therapeutic oligonucleotide chemistry, including siRNA, antisense oligonucleotides, splice-switching oligonucleotides, PMOs, or related modalities. • Possess a deep understanding of contemporary oligonucleotide modification patterns, including 2'-O-methyl, 2'-fluoro, LNA, cEt, constrained analogs, phosphorothioate stereochemistry, phosphodiester incorporation, glycol nucleic acids, morpholino chemistry, and other emerging chemistries and how individual modifications influence potency, nuclease resistance, pharmacokinetics, biodistribution, immunostimulation, and toxicity. • Direct experience with oligonucleotide synthesis platforms and purification workflows, including automated solid-phase synthesis and preparative HPLC. • Strong analytical expertise with LC-MS, RP-HPLC, ion exchange chromatography, capillary electrophoresis, MALDI-TOF, and related characterization techniques. • Experience designing and interpreting medicinal chemistry SAR campaigns for oligonucleotide therapeutics. • Familiarity with oligonucleotide delivery technologies, including GalNAc conjugates, lipid conjugates, peptide conjugates, antibody-oligonucleotide conjugates, nanoparticles, or other targeted delivery systems is desirable. • Experience supporting lead optimization and candidate selection within a drug discovery environment is preferred.

🏖️ Benefits

• Target annual bonus • Equity-based compensation • Participation in the company’s benefit programs