Press Release
Welcome to Our New Team Members!
Posted onNanna’s recent hiring activities completed! CAMBRIDGE (UK), November 10, 2022 – Nanna Therapeutics has attracted a raft of new talent. Meet the newest members of the team: New Head of Biology and Head of Chemistry “I am delighted to welcome Keith Moore as head of biology and Steve Penrose as head of chemistry to Nanna […]
About Us
Nanna Therapeutics is a small-molecule focused therapeutics biotech subsidiary of Astellas, a Japanese global pharmaceutical company. Nanna and Mitobridge together comprise of the Mitobridge Division, a US- and UK-based research engine of Astellas reporting in to the Astellas Chief Scientific Officer, together we work as part of the Astellas Primary Focus Mitochondria area of research.
Mitobridge is a Boston-based biotech acquired by Astellas in 2018, and Nanna Therapeutics, is a Cambridge, UK-based biotech, acquired in 2020.
Our Vision
Leveraging enabling platforms to develop transformational therapeutics via phenotypic screening and optimization approaches. We focus on early-stage, small-molecule drug discovery research in the area of mitochondrial & rare diseases. Our goal is to discover disease-modifying, transformative new medicines for diseases with significant unmet medical needs.
Therapeutic Areas
We are addressing fundamental cellular processes to create medicines to treat various mitochondrial dysfunction-related diseases. With a strong focus on mitochondria, the energy source in every cell, we can target the fundamental causes of many diseases. Through this approach we are also addressing life-limiting mitochondrial diseases for which there are currently few or no effective therapies.
Our Approach
Healthy mitochondria are critical to normal cellular activities. Mitochondrial dysfunction drives the pathogenesis of a wide variety of diseases, and as we age our cells produce less energy. We are focused on creating new options to combat our target diseases by regulating mitochondria, the cell’s power source. We combine expertise in core biology areas of mitochondria and immune-modulation together with a unique patient cell-enabled phenotypic screening paradigm that enables closer association to the targeted diseases.
Distinct aspects of mitochondrial function, for example, bioenergetics, dynamics, and cellular signalling are well described and impairments in these activities contribute to disease pathogenesis. We utilize an integrated platform of assays and models to systematically evaluate disease-related changes in mitochondrial function in order to deliver new medicines.
Partners
We work closely with a wide range of external partners, including universities and academic institutions, centres of excellence for mitochondria research, CROs, as well as working closely with our colleagues in Mitobridge in Cambridge, MA, as well as Astellas colleagues in Japan and elsewhere.
Nanna is actively seeking technology and asset partnerships together with Astellas BD S&E (UK/EMEA) located in Cambridge, UK. Please contact us.
Scientific Advisors
News
Welcome to Our New Team Members!
Nanna’s recent hiring activities completed! CAMBRIDGE (UK), November 10, 2022 – Nanna Therapeutics has attracted a raft of new talent. Meet the newest members of the team: New Head of Biology and Head of Chemistry “I am delighted to welcome Keith Moore as head of biology and Steve Penrose as head of chemistry to Nanna […]
We’re Hiring!
We are expanding our talented team. Take a look at our open positions in our Careers section: Head of Medicinal Chemistry Head of Pharmacology Applicants must submit a CV and covering letter by email to jobs@nannatherapeutics.com Applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible as we will be reviewing applicants and interviewing on a […]
Careers
Location: Nanna Therapeutics Ltd., The Merrifield Centre, Rosemary Lane Cambridge, UK
Salary: Competitive salary and benefits package, related to experience & qualifications
Overview
Nanna Therapeutics Limited (an Astellas affiliate company) is a biotech company based in Cambridge UK working on new medicines to treat the unmet needs of patients, especially those with mitochondrial diseases.
We are seeking a skilled, scientific champion with experience in leading projects and managing internal and external work across disciplines. The successful candidate will have a track record of success in bringing compounds from hit to candidate and play a key role across medicinal chemistry programs applying their experience in phenotypic as well as molecular target-based programs to progress the project portfolio.
The role is an exciting opportunity to join a dynamic therapeutics company at the cutting edge of drug discovery, make a key contribution to building a portfolio of therapeutics, contribute to the growth of the team and to generate new, efficacious medicines to transform patients’ lives.
Specification
We are seeking a skilled medicinal chemist with both breadth and depth in their drug discovery experience
Responsibilities
- Ensure successful delivery of projects from hit finding to clinical candidate selection
- Strategically plan, oversee, and execute discovery activities
- Provide effective medicinal chemistry expertise and leadership of integrated small molecule drug discovery programs
- Oversee discovery contract research organisations (CROs) and other external resources
- Lead multidisciplinary drug discovery project teams
- Work with junior staff to support their development and growth within the organisation
Essential Qualification, Knowledge and Experience
- PhD or equivalent experience with a proven track record in medicinal chemistry
- 10+ years professional experience leading drug discovery projects and teams of scientists
- Strong track record of leading small molecule drug discovery projects from early stages, delivery of development compound to clinical candidate nomination
- Experience in managing and leading external CRO partners
- Diligent project and team leadership skills including mentoring other scientists
Desirable
- Familiarity and conversant with a range of biology including phenotypic drug discovery
- Experience with patent and patent strategy
- Presenting and interacting with other global sites/ cultures in a larger organisation
- Orphan drug discovery/development
Essential Skills / Attributes
- Good interpersonal/communication skills, effective team working
- Strong organisational skills with an ability to prioritise and work under pressure
- Passion for drug discovery and a problem-solving attitude with a creative and inventive flare
- Adaptable, capable of working to tight deadlines and exacting standards
- Strong project management skills that motivate and inspire others
- An interest in harnessing technology to support and enable successful drug discovery
- Demonstrated ability to learn quickly, applying new concepts and techniques
Applicants must submit a CV and covering letter by email to jobs@nannatherapeutics.com
Applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible as we be reviewing applicants and interviewing on a rolling basis
Location: Nanna Therapeutics Ltd., The Merrifield Centre, Rosemary Lane Cambridge - UK
Salary: Competitive salary dependent on skills and experience and benefits package, including medical insurance
Overview
Nanna Therapeutics Limited (an Astellas affiliate company) is a biotech company, based in Cambridge U.K., developing new medicines to improve life of patients with unmet medical needs, especially those with underlying mitochondrial dysfunctions that cause and contribute to the disease. Nanna Therapeutics leverages a phenotypic drug discovery approach to discover new molecules that, by improving mitochondrial function, have the potential to be disease modifying.
We are seeking a skilled, enthusiastic scientific champion, with deep knowledge of cellular and molecular pharmacology who is experienced in drug discovery. The candidate will combine an in depth knowledge of small molecule drug discovery, with a particular strength in the application of translationally relevant in vitro phenotypic assays for program progression. This role is to support all phases of drug discovery, both phenotypic and target based programs from early validation, hit to lead, lead optimisation to candidate selection. This is an ideal role for an experienced individual to develop the biology team and provide strategic input into the development and diversification of our expanding drug discovery portfolio.
The role is a fantastic opportunity to join a dynamic therapeutics company at the cutting edge of drug discovery. The candidate will make a key contribution to Nanna project teams supporting numerous projects , providing both scientific and technical expertise. The individual will have the opportunity to influence the scientific strategy for Nanna, with direct contribution to the leadership team. This is an exciting time to join Nanna as we are expanding the team, our facilities and our portfolio of programs.
Specification
The ideal candidate will be able to support Nanna Therapeutics by developing the biology team and providing scientific input into the development of Nanna’s portfolio of therapeutic programmes.
Essential Qualification, Knowledge, and Experience
- PhD, or equivalent experience, in in vitro pharmacology, molecular and cellular biology or a related relevant discipline
- 10 + years drug discovery experience obtained in a drug discovery unit, CRO pharma or biotech is highly desirable
- A track record of progressing small molecules through the different phases of pre-clinical drug discovery
- Strong knowledge and expertise in cellular pharmacology with a working knowledge of biochemical and biophysical techniques and their application to drug discovery.
- Expertise in the development and execution of screening cascades for phenotypic and target based drug discovery projects
- Experience with compound profiling to support, target ID and validation, hit ID, Hit-to-lead, lead optimisation activities
- Proven experience in line management of scientists and or program teams
- Ability to lead a multidisciplinary team providing mentorship for more junior team members
- Experience in monitoring outsourced studies at CROs or academic collaborations
- Effective communicator being able to influence change and drive for success
Desirable
- Knowledge of high-content imaging and phenotypic screening platforms and their applications would be a bonus
- Good understanding of developing PK/PD relationships to support in vitro/ in vivo translation
- Experience in discovery biology in rare diseases with a background in mitochondrially related biology.
Essential Skills / Attributes
- Passion for developing new medicines with a ‘can-do’ attitude to problem-solving
- Enthusiasm for developing teams serving as a leader and team player
- Ability and desire to learn new skills quickly and apply new concepts and techniques
- Ability to work across scientific disciplines, in a matrix team
- Good interpersonal/communication skills able to work effectively with the rest of the team
- Strong organisational skills including ability to prioritise and work under pressure
- High level of attention to detail
Applicants must submit a CV and covering letter by email to jobs@nannatherapeutics.com
Applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible as we will be reviewing applicants and interviewing on a rolling basis
Location: Nanna Therapeutics Ltd., The Merrifield Centre, Rosemary Lane Cambridge - UK
Salary: Competitive salary dependent on skills and experience and benefits package
Overview
Nanna Therapeutics Limited (an Astellas affiliate company) is a biotech company, based in Cambridge U.K., developing new medicines to improve life of patients with unmet medical needs, especially those with underlying mitochondrial dysfunctions that cause and contribute to the disease. Nanna Therapeutics leverages a phenotypic drug discovery approach to discover new molecules that, by improving mitochondrial function, have the potential to be disease modifying.
The role is a fantastic opportunity to join a dynamic therapeutics company at the cutting edge of drug discovery. The candidate will make a key contribution to building a portfolio of therapeutics and be a domain expert to support numerous projects scientifically and technically. This is an exciting time to join Nanna as we are expanding the team and our facilities.
Specification
We are seeking a skilled medicinal chemist with both breadth and depth in their drug discovery experience
Essential Qualification, Knowledge, and Experience
- PhD or equivalent industrial experience
- 3+ years medicinal chemistry experience
- Ability to effectively contribute to multidisciplinary scientific teams
Desirable
- Drug discovery in biotech or industry environment
- Experience of phenotypic drug discovery programs
- Experience of interpretation of bioanalysis from in vitro ADME studies
- Experience of managing CRO’s
Essential Skills / Attributes
- High level of attention to detail
- Passion for science together with a ‘can-do’ problem-solving approach
- Ability and desire to learn new skills quickly and apply new concepts and techniques
- Ability to work across scientific disciplines, in a matrix team
- Good interpersonal/communication skills able to work effectively with the rest of the team
- An adaptable team player capable of working to tight deadlines and exacting standards
- Develop own capabilities, demonstrating and applying sound understanding of the application of all available chemical tools and techniques which contribute to the development of new technologies or methodologies
- Strong organisational skills including ability to prioritise and work under pressure
- Ability to follow and create standard protocols and record data accurately
Applicants must submit a CV and covering letter by email to jobs@nannatherapeutics.com
Applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible as we will be reviewing applicants and interviewing on a rolling basis
Location: Nanna Therapeutics Ltd., The Merrifield Centre, Rosemary Lane Cambridge - UK
Salary: Competitive salary dependent on skills and experience and benefits package, including medical insurance
Overview
Nanna Therapeutics Limited (an Astellas affiliate company) is a biotech company, based in Cambridge U.K., developing new medicines to improve life of patients with unmet medical needs, especially those with underlying mitochondrial dysfunctions that cause and contribute to the disease. Nanna Therapeutics leverages a phenotypic drug discovery approach to discover new molecules that, by improving mitochondrial function, have the potential to be disease modifying.
We are seeking a skilled, enthusiastic, scientific champion to drive the running and development of assays to support our screening programs.
The role is a fantastic opportunity to join a dynamic therapeutics company at the cutting edge of drug discovery. The candidate will make a key contribution to building a portfolio of therapeutics and be a domain expert to support numerous projects scientifically and technically. This is an exciting time to join Nanna as we are expanding the team and our facilities.
Specification
The ideal candidate will be able to support Nanna Therapeutics’ programs by running current cell-based assays and developing new assays.
Essential Qualification, Knowledge, and Experience
- 2+ years laboratory experience
- Experience with mammalian cell culture techniques is essential
- Experience with assays development, validation and QC
- Experience with performing cellular assays using plate reader, flow cytometry or microscopy
Desirable
- Experience of drug discovery in biotech or industry environment
- Experience with testing and incorporating novel analytical technologies, including high-throughput automation solutions
- Experience with assays for analysing mitochondrial function
- Experience with working with primary cells
- An understanding of phenotypic screening
Essential Skills / Attributes
- High level of attention to detail
- Passion for science together with a ‘can-do’ problem-solving approach
- Ability and desire to learn new skills quickly and apply new concepts and techniques
- Ability to work across scientific disciplines, in a matrix team
- Good interpersonal/communication skills able to work effectively with the rest of the team
- An adaptable team player capable of working to tight deadlines and exacting standards
- Strong organisational skills including ability to prioritise and work under pressure
- Ability to follow and create standard protocols and record data accurately
Applicants must submit a CV and covering letter by email to jobs@nannatherapeutics.com
Applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible as we will be reviewing applicants and interviewing on a rolling basis
Location: Nanna Therapeutics Ltd., The Merrifield Centre, Rosemary Lane Cambridge - UK
Salary: Competitive salary dependent on skills and experience and benefits package, including medical insurance
Overview
Nanna Therapeutics Limited (an Astellas affiliate company) is a biotech company, based in Cambridge U.K., developing new medicines to improve life of patients with unmet medical needs, especially those with underlying mitochondrial dysfunctions that cause and contribute to the disease. Nanna Therapeutics leverages a phenotypic drug discovery approach to discover new molecules that, by improving mitochondrial function, have the potential to be disease modifying.
We are seeking a skilled, enthusiastic, scientific champion with a deep knowledge of cell and molecular biology in health and disease, with drug discovery experience. The candidate will combine lab-based skills and drug discovery knowledge to support Nanna Therapeutics programmes progression and portfolio development.
The role is a fantastic opportunity to join a dynamic therapeutics company at the cutting edge of drug discovery. The candidate will make a key contribution to building a portfolio of therapeutics and be a domain expert to support numerous projects scientifically and technically. This is an exciting time to join Nanna as we are expanding the team and our facilities.
Specification
The ideal candidate will be able to support Nanna Therapeutics by running established cell-based assays, developing new assays and providing scientific input to further therapeutic programmes.
Essential Qualification, Knowledge, and Experience
- PhD, or equivalent experience, in the field of mitochondrial biology
- 5+ years practical laboratory experience
- Strong knowledge and expertise in cell-line and primary cell culture techniques
- Experience with assays for analysing mitochondrial function
- Hands on expertise with a broad range of techniques, such as molecular biology, biochemical assays, flow-cytometry and cell sorting, microscopy and high-content imaging.
- Ability to independently design and execute experiments; interpret data to support projects decision making
- Ability to provide scientific input and contribute to project teams discussions to progress therapeutic programmes
Desirable
- Experience in the pharmaceutical, biotech or CRO sector is highly desirable
- Experience with working in the field of small molecule drug discovery
- Experience with testing and incorporating novel analytical technologies, including medium to high-throughput screening and automation solutions
- Experience with compound profiling to support, target ID and validation, hit ID, Hit-to-lead, lead optimisation activities
- Expertise in screening cascade development, cell-based assays, phenotypic screening
Essential Skills / Attributes
- High level of attention to detail
- Passion for science together with a ‘can-do’ problem-solving approach
- Ability and desire to learn new skills quickly and apply new concepts and techniques
- Ability to work across scientific disciplines, in a matrix team
- Good interpersonal/communication skills able to work effectively with the rest of the team
- An adaptable team player capable of working to tight deadlines and exacting standards
- Strong organisational skills including ability to prioritise and work under pressure
- Ability to follow and create standard protocols and record data accurately
Applicants must submit a CV and covering letter by email to jobs@nannatherapeutics.com
Applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible as we will be reviewing applicants and interviewing on a rolling basis
Contact Us
Contact Details Nanna Therapeutics Ltd, The Merrifield Centre, Rosemary Lane, Cambridge, CB1 3LQ Tel: +44(0)1223 247000 Email: nannatherapeutics-sm@astellas.com Company no. 8328823
