Head of Translational Medicine

cAMPfield Therapeutics, Inc.•San Diego, CA

13d•Hybrid

About The Position

cAMPfield Therapeutics is seeking a Head of Translational Medicine to build and lead the translational strategy connecting prifemilast’s mechanism of action—PDE4B-selective inhibition and cAMP-mediated modulation of mucosal inflammation—to clinical outcomes in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The role will design and oversee biomarker, endoscopic, histologic, and pharmacodynamic strategies across the clinical portfolio, informing dose selection, patient stratification, and mechanistic differentiation from other IBD therapies. This is a senior, highly visible position reporting to R&D leadership, with regular exposure to the executive team and board. The role spans the prifemilast clinical program from Phase 2 through registration-enabling studies and includes building and mentoring the translational medicine function as the organization grows. The position is based in Boston, Massachusetts, with a hybrid work model across the company’s Boston and San Diego hubs.

Requirements

PhD, MD, or MD/PhD in immunology, pharmacology, gastroenterology, or a related field.
At least 12 years of translational medicine or translational research experience in biotech or pharma.
Direct experience in immune-mediated inflammatory disease.
A demonstrated track record of designing and executing biomarker strategies that influenced clinical development decisions, such as dose selection, go/no-go decisions, or patient stratification.
A strong publication record and experience representing translational science externally to key opinion leaders, regulators, and scientific conferences.
Demonstrated leadership experience building or managing a translational medicine or biomarker function.
Excellent cross-functional collaboration skills and comfort operating in a lean, fast-moving biotech environment.

Nice To Haves

Experience in IBD; strongly preferred.
Deep understanding of GI mucosal immunology and/or PDE4/cAMP signaling biology.
Experience working with endoscopic and histologic endpoints in IBD trials.

Responsibilities

Define and lead cAMPfield’s translational medicine strategy across the prifemilast clinical program, from Phase 2 through registration-enabling studies.
Design biomarker, pharmacodynamic, endoscopic, and histopathology sample strategies that link target engagement and mechanism of action to clinical response in IBD.
Partner with Clinical Development, Clinical Pharmacology, and Biostatistics to integrate translational endpoints into protocol design and data analysis plans.
Identify and validate biomarkers of disease activity, mucosal healing, and treatment response, and explore predictive biomarkers to support patient stratification.
Evaluate and manage relationships with central reading, histopathology, bioanalytical, and companion diagnostic vendors and academic collaborators.
Translate emerging preclinical and clinical biomarker data into actionable program strategy recommendations, including dose selection and lifecycle opportunities.
Represent translational medicine in regulatory interactions and health authority briefing documents.
Contribute to scientific publications, congress presentations, and investor and board materials describing prifemilast’s mechanism and differentiation.
Build and mentor a translational medicine function as the organization grows.