Recruiting Experienced Chief Technology Officer Pinetree Therapeutics 26.07.28 (Cambridge)
Antibody Engineering, Platform Technology & CMC Location: Cambridge, MA (on-site) Reports to: Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Start Date: Immediate About Pinetree Therapeutics Pinetree Therapeutics is a rapidly growing biotechnology company developing next- generation multispecific antibody therapies for targeted protein degradation in oncology and immune modulation. Our proprietary AbReptor™ platform is a first-in-class extracellular targeted protein degradation (eTPD) technology that uses bispecific and multispecific antibodies to redirect disease-driving cell-surface and extracellular proteins to lysosomal degradation, going beyond inhibition to remove the disease driver itself, overcoming drug resistance and disease recurrence. Our lead program, EGFR AbReptor™ (PTX-299), is licensed to AstraZeneca and advancing toward first-in-human studies, with a growing wholly-owned pipeline spanning c-MET, FGFR2, and additional targets, plus platform extensions into degrader- antibody and antibody-drug conjugates (DuoDACtyl™ / dADC) and inflammation & immunology. With research operations in Cambridge, MA and a clinical and preclinical site in South Korea, we are a lean, hands-on, science-driven organization translating innovative discovery concepts into first-in-class clinical candidates for patients with “hard-to-treat” cancers and immune disorders. Position Summary We are seeking a seasoned biotech leader to serve as Chief Technology Officer (CTO), the senior-most technical authority for antibody engineering, the AbReptor™ platform, and CMC. Reporting to the CEO, the CTO will own the scientific and technical direction of the platform and all antibody engineering and molecule development from discovery through candidate nomination and IND-enabling readiness, leading Pinetree’s established team of antibody engineering Directors and Principal Scientists while working alongside the company’s scientific, clinical, and business leadership. The ideal candidate is an accomplished antibody engineer and drug developer with deep, hands-on expertise in multispecific antibody and antibody-fusion construct design, and a proven record of advancing biologics from concept into the clinic. This is an active, hands‑on technical leadership role: you will be the company’s definitive decision- maker on antibody design and engineering, drive the hardest molecular design, developability, and CMC decisions, and expand the platform into new modalities. The successful candidate will be authoritative and self‑sufficient enough to independently own the antibody engineering function and set molecular design direction across the portfolio, while elevating an already-strong engineering team. Key Responsibilities Own the long-term scientific and technical vision for the AbReptor™ eTPD platform, ensuring Pinetree sustains its differentiation and first-in-class position in antibody-based Drive expansion of the platform into new formats and modalities, including next- generation multispecific degraders with tumor-microenvironment modulation, degrader- antibody conjugates (DAC / DuoDACtyl™), and degrading ADCs (dADC). Translate platform capabilities into a prioritized, differentiated portfolio of programs; contribute to target selection, program prioritization, timelines, and go/no-go decisions. Serve as Pinetree’s senior-most authority on antibody engineering, owning molecular design strategy and the final technical decisions across the multispecific degrader Provide expert, hands‑on leadership across multispecific antibody and antibody‑fusion construct design, including format selection, epitope and affinity tuning, valency, and geometry optimization, to achieve potent, selective degradation with a desirable safety profile. Direct protein engineering and molecular design from concept through lead optimization, embedding developability, manufacturability, and safety considerations early (“developability by design”). Be the definitive technical voice on the most challenging engineering and molecular characterization problems, guiding structure‑activity analysis and troubleshooting across programs. Lead the progression of antibody candidates from discovery through lead optimization and candidate nomination, ensuring molecules are designed to meet target product profiles and clinical requirements. Oversee in vitro and in vivo characterization strategy in partnership with discovery biology, translational, and DMPK/toxicology functions to support robust candidate selection and IND-enabling readiness. Ensure smooth technical handoff of nominated candidates into IND-enabling development and early clinical supply. 4. CMC, Developability Technical Operations Provide strategic and executive oversight of CMC as molecules advance, including cell line and process development, formulation, analytics, and comparability, partnering closely with Pinetree’s experienced senior CMC leadership. Establish developability assessment frameworks and screening funnels that de‑risk manufacturability, stability, and aggregation early in the engineering process. Set the strategy for and provide oversight of CDMO and CRO partnerships to ensure high-quality material and data on timelines that support program milestones, with day-to-day CDMO management led by the CMC function. 5. Intellectual Property & Platform Innovation Partner with leadership and IP counsel to build and defend Pinetree’s patent estate around the AbReptor™ platform, novel formats, and engineering approaches. Drive invention disclosures, support patent filings, and contribute to freedom-to‑operate assessments as the platform and pipeline expand. Maintain a deep understanding of the competitive degrader, multispecific, and conjugate landscapes to guide differentiation and defensibility. 6. Organizational & Cross-Functional Leadership Lead, grow, and mentor Pinetree’s antibody engineering, protein sciences, and technical development organization, an established team of Directors and Principal Scientists, fostering a culture of scientific rigor, speed, ownership, and collaboration. Partner across scientific, clinical, business development, and program teams to align technical strategy with corporate objectives. Support partner and diligence activities (e.g., collaborations such as AstraZeneca) by representing Pinetree’s platform and technical strategy to external stakeholders. Provide executive oversight of technical budgets, resourcing, and vendor partnerships in alignment with strategic priorities. Qualifications Required Ph.D. in immunology, biochemistry, protein engineering, molecular biology, chemical/biomolecular engineering, or a related discipline (or equivalent experience). 15 years of progressive biotech/pharmaceutical experience in antibody discovery, engineering, and development, including senior leadership roles (CTO, CSO, SVP/VP of Antibody Engineering, Protein Sciences, or Biologics Development), with the depth and standing to serve as an organization’s top antibody engineering authority. Recognized, hands‑on expertise in antibody engineering, with a strong track record designing and optimizing multispecific (bispecific/trispecific) antibodies and antibody‑fusion constructs. Proven success advancing biologic candidates from discovery through lead optimization, candidate nomination, and IND‑enabling development into the clinic. Strong working knowledge of CMC and developability for antibody therapeutics, including cell line/process development, formulation, analytics, and manufacturability, with the ability to provide executive oversight of CMC and technical development. Demonstrated ability to lead and mentor experienced engineering teams (Directors, Principal Scientists) and to operate independently and decisively as the senior technical authority in a lean, fast‑paced environment. Preferred Experience with targeted protein degradation and/or complex antibody modalities, including multispecific degraders, antibody‑fusion constructs, ADCs, or degrader- Track record of building platforms and generating intellectual property (issued patents, invention disclosures) at a biotech. Experience supporting corporate partnerships, licensing, and technical due diligence with pharma partners. Experience across both oncology and immunology/inflammation (I&I) indications. History of scaling technical organizations and capabilities from early-stage through We offer a highly competitive compensation package, including equity participation that reflects the strategic importance of this executive role and the opportunity to share in the company’s long‑term growth and success. Pinetree offers comprehensive benefits, including medical and dental insurance, paid time off, and a 401(k) with a company match. Why Join Us This is a rare opportunity to be the technical and scientific engine of a validated, first-in‑class protein degradation platform, leading antibody engineering and platform innovation while providing executive oversight of CMC. As CTO, you will have the autonomy and resources to set molecular design direction, expand the platform into new modalities, and lead an accomplished engineering team advancing a pipeline with true breakthrough potential for patients with drug‑resistant and refractory disease. If you are a hands‑on antibody
