What are the responsibilities and job description for the CMO position at Discover International?
Chief Medical Officer (CMO)
Location: Greater Boston Area, Remote
Stage: Venture-backed, Preclinical to Early Clinical
Company Overview
We are a venture-backed biotechnology company developing a novel class of RNA-based therapeutics designed to address the genetic drivers of disease. Our platform restores functional protein expression in conditions caused by defined mutations, offering a differentiated, potentially disease-modifying approach beyond small molecules, biologics, and gene editing.
We are building a pipeline across rare and severe genetic disorders with high unmet need, including neurological, neurodevelopmental, neuromuscular, and cardiometabolic diseases. The platform is broadly applicable, enabling expansion into additional indications.
With strong investor backing and growing preclinical validation, the company is approaching a key inflection point as programs advance toward IND-enabling studies and first-in-human trials.
Position Overview
The Chief Medical Officer will be a key member of the executive team, responsible for defining and executing clinical strategy across the pipeline. This individual will lead the transition into early clinical development and help shape multiple programs built on a shared platform.
The CMO will work cross-functionally to translate preclinical insights into clinical hypotheses and well-designed studies. This role requires both strategic leadership and hands-on execution in an early-stage environment.
Key Responsibilities
Clinical Strategy
Required
This is an opportunity to lead clinical development for a novel platform at a critical stage. The CMO will shape multiple programs advancing toward the clinic while building a high-impact function within a collaborative, mission-driven company focused on serious unmet medical needs.
Location: Greater Boston Area, Remote
Stage: Venture-backed, Preclinical to Early Clinical
Company Overview
We are a venture-backed biotechnology company developing a novel class of RNA-based therapeutics designed to address the genetic drivers of disease. Our platform restores functional protein expression in conditions caused by defined mutations, offering a differentiated, potentially disease-modifying approach beyond small molecules, biologics, and gene editing.
We are building a pipeline across rare and severe genetic disorders with high unmet need, including neurological, neurodevelopmental, neuromuscular, and cardiometabolic diseases. The platform is broadly applicable, enabling expansion into additional indications.
With strong investor backing and growing preclinical validation, the company is approaching a key inflection point as programs advance toward IND-enabling studies and first-in-human trials.
Position Overview
The Chief Medical Officer will be a key member of the executive team, responsible for defining and executing clinical strategy across the pipeline. This individual will lead the transition into early clinical development and help shape multiple programs built on a shared platform.
The CMO will work cross-functionally to translate preclinical insights into clinical hypotheses and well-designed studies. This role requires both strategic leadership and hands-on execution in an early-stage environment.
Key Responsibilities
Clinical Strategy
- Lead clinical strategy across programs
- Design and oversee early-phase trials
- Define endpoints for rare genetic diseases
- Align preclinical, clinical, and regulatory plans
- Develop biomarkers for target engagement and efficacy
- Integrate translational data into clinical decisions
- Ensure strong mechanistic rationale
- Lead IND strategy and regulatory interactions
- Interface with FDA and global agencies
- Support orphan and expedited pathways
- Prioritize programs and allocate resources
- Build and lead a lean clinical team
- Partner cross-functionally across research, regulatory, and CMC
- Engage KOLs and investigators
- Support investor and board communications
- Contribute to partnerships and strategy
Required
- MD or MD/PhD with clinical development experience
- Track record advancing programs into early trials
- Experience in rare disease, neurology, or related areas
- Strong clinical trial and regulatory expertise
- Strategic and hands-on leadership ability
- Experience with RNA or platform-based therapeutics
- Background in translational medicine and biomarkers
- Experience in early-stage biotech environments
This is an opportunity to lead clinical development for a novel platform at a critical stage. The CMO will shape multiple programs advancing toward the clinic while building a high-impact function within a collaborative, mission-driven company focused on serious unmet medical needs.