Associate Director/Director, Pharmacology and Translational Science

About Artiva:

Artiva is clinical-stage, publicly-traded biotechnology company focused on developing natural killer (NK) cell-based therapies for patients suffering from devastating autoimmune diseases and cancers. Artiva’s lead program, AlloNK®, is an allogeneic, off-the-shelf, non-genetically modified NK cell therapy candidate designed to enhance the antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity effect of monoclonal antibodies to drive B-cell depletion. AlloNK is delivered in the outpatient setting with no required hospitalization.  

AlloNK is currently being evaluated in three ongoing clinical trials for the treatment of B-cell driven autoimmune diseases. This includes two company-sponsored trials, one in systemic lupus erythematosus for patients with or without lupus nephritis, and a basket trial across autoimmune diseases (Rheumatoid Arthritis,  Systemic Sclerosis, Idiopathic Inflammatory Myopathies and Sjögren’s  Disease), as well as an investigator-initiated basket trial in B-cell driven autoimmune diseases. Artiva’s pipeline also includes CAR-NK candidates targeting both solid and hematologic cancers.

Artiva was founded in 2019 as a spin out of GC Cell, formerly GC Lab Cell Corporation, a leading healthcare company in the Republic of Korea, pursuant to a strategic partnership granting Artiva exclusive worldwide rights (excluding Asia, Australia and New Zealand) to GC Cell’s NK cell manufacturing technology and programs. Artiva is headquartered in San Diego, California.

For more information, visit www.artivabio.com.

Position Summary

Reporting to the Executive Director, Pharmacology and Translational Science, the Associate Director/Director will serve as the Translational Science Lead for Artiva’s clinical programs, with responsibility for defining and executing the translational strategy that informs clinical development, decision‑making, and regulatory interactions.

This role will lead the integration of pharmacology, biomarkers, and clinical data to support mechanism of action, patient stratification in autoimmune disease programs, including rheumatoid arthritis. The successful candidate will be accountable for translating preclinical and early clinical insights into actionable recommendations for late‑stage clinical development.

The role includes strategic oversight of PK/PD, biomarker, and immune monitoring assays, leadership of CROs and external partners, and close collaboration with Clinical Development, Data Management, Biostatistics, Regulatory Affairs, and Pharmacovigilance. This position requires a strong balance of scientific depth, clinical trial understanding, and program leadership.

Role & Responsibilities

Clinical Program & Translational Leadership

• Serve as the translational science lead for assigned clinical program(s), partnering closely with Clinical Development to guide biomarker strategy, and data interpretation across trial phases.


• Oversee translational objectives and hypotheses for clinical trials, including randomized controlled trials.


• Development of Biomarker Analysis Plans to support late-stage development


• Integrate pharmacology, biomarker, and clinical data to inform clinical development.


• Provide translational input into clinical development plans, clinical protocols, and investigator brochures.

Biomarker, PK/PD, and Immunology Strategy

• Execute PK/PD and biomarker strategy to support understanding of mechanism of action, exposure–response relationships, and drivers of clinical response.


• Lead development and implementation of predictive and prognostic biomarkers, with particular emphasis on immune‑mediated diseases.


• Oversee analysis of immune activity and pharmacodynamic assays, including flow cytometry, cytokine profiling, and molecular/genomic approaches.


• Guide interpretation of biomarker data in the context of randomized study designs, including treatment vs control comparisons.

Assay Development & External Management

• Manage CROs and external research partners responsible for assay development, sample analysis, and data delivery.


• Ensure assays are fit‑for‑purpose, analytically robust, and appropriately documented for regulatory submissions.

Data Integration, Regulatory, and Cross‑Functional Collaboration

• Collaborate with Data Management and Biostatistics to ensure high‑quality, analyzable translational datasets.


• Draft and review translational sections of INDs, CTDs, and regulatory briefing documents, including biomarker justifications and data summaries.


• Represent Translational Science in internal governance forums and external partner interactions.

Experience, Education and Specialized Knowledge and Skills

Must thrive working in a fast-paced innovative environment while remaining flexible, proactive, resourceful and efficient.  Excellent interpersonal skills, ability to develop important relationships with key stakeholders, ability to analyze complex issues to develop relevant and realistic plans and recommendations. Excellent analytical skills, ability to communicate complex issues in a simple way, and ability to orchestrate plans to resolve issues and mitigate risks.

• Ph.D. in Immunology, Pharmacology, Biology or related discipline.


• 10+ years of experience in biotechnology or pharmaceutical drug development, with direct involvement in clinical programs.


• Demonstrated experience leading translational science for clinical trials, including contribution to randomized controlled trials.


• Strong understanding of autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, with experience in rheumatoid arthritis preferred.


• Proven expertise in PK/PD, biomarker strategy, and immune monitoring to support clinical development.


• Hands‑on experience with immunological assays (e.g., flow cytometry, cytokine assays, molecular techniques) a plus.


• Experience managing CROs and external collaborators.


• Demonstrated experience contributing to clinical protocols and regulatory submissions.

Desirable

• Prior experience supporting clinical trial studies in autoimmune disease.


• Experience translating biomarker findings into clinical strategy and regulatory positioning.

• Experience in cell therapy development (e.g., allogeneic or autologous cell therapies) is a plus, including exposure to cell therapy pharmacology, immune monitoring, or translational strategy.

• Familiarity with global clinical development and interactions with health authorities.

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In addition to a great culture, we offer:

• A beautiful facility 


• An entrepreneurial, highly collaborative, and innovative environment


• Comprehensive benefits, including:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision


• Group Life Insurance


• Long Term Disability (LTD)


• 401(k) Retirement Plan


• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)


• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)


• Paid Time Off (PTO)


• Company paid holidays, including the year-end holiday week


• Our recognition program, Bonus.ly, is where you can trade in points earned for things you want.

If all this speaks to you, come join us on our journey!

Base Salary: $200,000 - $225,000. Exact compensation may vary based on level, skills and experience