Director of Clinical QA

BioSpace; San Carlos (CA); On-site; USD 190,000 - 225,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity incentives

Total rewards program

Job summary

Dren Bio in San Carlos, CA, seeks a Director of CQA to lead audit readiness and ensure GCP compliance across clinical development programs. The role involves managing domestic and international audits, CAPA processes, and maintaining the company’s quality systems in a fast-paced biopharma setting.

The candidate will collaborate with Clinical Operations, Data Management, and external partners, ensuring adherence to ICH GCP standards and regulatory requirements while driving continuous improvement

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a scientific, life science, or medical/technical field.
• 10+ years in the pharmaceutical industry with at least 8 years in a GCP or CQA quality role, with increasing levels of responsibility.
• 5+ years leading or independently performing CQA audits (Vendor qualification/routine/for-cause, Investigator Site, Gap Assessment, TMF, CSR).

Responsibilities

• Lead and support inspection readiness activities and regulatory authority inspections.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of regulations governing clinical trials and GxP.
• Develop and maintain CQA controlled documents and procedures.
• Create and execute annual audit plans to ensure GCP compliance across vendors and sites.
• Author/reviewQuality Management System procedures emphasizing clinical quality processes.
• Collaborate with clinical teams to provide GCP and regulatory compliance support at the study level.
• Review study documents for regulatory compliance and risk at study and company levels.
• Conduct risk assessments for critical activities impacting subject safety and data quality.
• Lead audits and investigations, report findings, and drive CAPA implementations.

Skills

Audit management

Regulatory compliance

ICH GCP knowledge

CQA audits

Quality systems

Education

Bachelor of Science in a scientific, life science, or medical/technical discipline

Tools

MS Excel

MS Word

Job description

About The Company

Dren Bio is a privately held, clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company pioneering the discovery and development of first-in-class antibody therapeutics for the treatment of cancer, autoimmune disorders, and other serious diseases. Leveraging our wholly owned technologies, we have built a robust R&D pipeline, including two clinical-stage candidates currently being evaluated across multiple ongoing clinical studies. Our lead clinical candidate, dibotatug, is designed to induce antibody-mediated killing of a specific cell type implicated in a range of oncology and autoimmune indications. In addition, we have launched multiple programs from our proprietary Targeted Myeloid Engager and Phagocytosis Platform, a multispecific antibody-based technology engineered to selectively engage a novel phagocytic receptor expressed on myeloid cells (antigen presenting cells) for the targeted depletion of pathologic cells and other disease-causing agents. Data generated using the platform support its broad therapeutic potential, including initial programs focused on oncology, immunology, and neurology. Importantly, multispecific antibodies generated from the platform are specially designed to activate phagocytic mechanisms only in the presence of disease targets, potentially offering a superior safety profile compared to other immunomodulatory therapies. For more information, please visit our website at www.drenbio.com.

About The Company

Dren Bio is a privately held, clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company pioneering the discovery and development of first-in-class antibody therapeutics for the treatment of cancer, autoimmune disorders, and other serious diseases. Leveraging our wholly owned technologies, we have built a robust R&D pipeline, including two clinical-stage candidates currently being evaluated across multiple ongoing clinical studies. Our lead clinical candidate, dibotatug, is designed to induce antibody-mediated killing of a specific cell type implicated in a range of oncology and autoimmune indications. In addition, we have launched multiple programs from our proprietary Targeted Myeloid Engager and Phagocytosis Platform, a multispecific antibody-based technology engineered to selectively engage a novel phagocytic receptor expressed on myeloid cells (antigen presenting cells) for the targeted depletion of pathologic cells and other disease-causing agents. Data generated using the platform support its broad therapeutic potential, including initial programs focused on oncology, immunology, and neurology. Importantly, multispecific antibodies generated from the platform are specially designed to activate phagocytic mechanisms only in the presence of disease targets, potentially offering a superior safety profile compared to other immunomodulatory therapies. For more information, please visit our website at www.drenbio.com.

Function

Quality

Level

Director

Location:

San Carlos, CA (Remote candidates may be considered)

Reporting Manager

VP of Quality

About The Opportunity

This critical position will collaborate with internal clinical and nonclinical functional groups and external parties including consultants, contract auditors, CRO/Service Provider personnel, and Investigator Sites to promote a high level of quality and consistency across all Dren development programs. This includes a risk-based approach to Quality Management for all Dren programs. Additionally, this position will independently manage domestic and international risk-based audits of Investigator Sites, clinical vendors, study databases, partners or collaborators (as applicable). The Director of CQA will also support internal Dren quality systems with the creation, review, and adherence to company policies, and procedures and adhering to GxP requirements.

Role And Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and support for Inspection Readiness activities and initiatives,and for the preparation, conduct, and response periods of Regulatory AuthorityInspections.
• Maintain expert up-to-date knowledge on applicable regulations that govern theconduct of clinical trials, ICH GCP guidelines and other GxP regulations andindustry guidance and ensure the information is integrated into Quality and Clinicalprocesses.
• Support the development and maintenance of CQA controlled documents and proceduresthat comply with ICH GCP standards and applicable regulations.
• Create and execute annual audit plan to ensure GCP compliance and adherence to studyprotocols by vendors, Investigator sites, study databases, and internal clinicalteam.
• Author and/or review procedures to support the Quality Management System, with anemphasis on clinical quality processes, clinical operations and clinical developmentfunctions.
• Collaborate with clinical functional groups (e.g., Clinical Operations, DataManagement, etc.) to provide GCP and regulatory compliance support at the studyexecution level. This includes Clinical Study Execution Team (CSET) membership andparticipation.
• Perform review of clinical trial documents with a focus on compliance, regulatoryrequirements, and risk (study and company levels). The study documents include butare not limited to: Study Protocol and amendments, ICFs, Investigator’s Brochure,Annual Reports (e.g., DSUR), CSRs, and other study level documents (e.g., studyplans, subject recruitment materials).
• Conduct gap analyses and risk assessments for critical study level activities thatmay impact subject safety and/or the quality and reliability of data.
• Lead or support audits and investigations to evaluate non-compliance, root causeidentification, and report results to Dren management. Ensures timely completion ofcomprehensive reports and communication of observations to auditees, impactedfunctional groups, and Dren management.
• Ensures audit corrective and preventive action (CAPA) plans adequately address auditobservations and identified root causes, including effectiveness checks whereappropriate.
• Escalate compliance issues to QA Management and other relevant leadership as neededin a timely manner.
• Develop, and/or support GxP tasks or Continuous Improvement initiatives as needed.
• Manage the workflow of CQA consultant Auditor(s), and as applicable, manage juniorCQA staff.
• Build positive professional relationships to support learning, open communication,collaboration, and teamwork.

Education, Experience And Qualification Requirements

• Minimum of a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in a scientific, life science, ormedical/technical discipline.
• Minimum of 10 years’ experience within the pharmaceutical industry with at least 8years of experience in a GCP or CQA quality role, with increasing levels ofresponsibility.
• Minimum of 5 years’ experience in leading or independently performing CQA audits(Vendor qualification/routine/for-cause, Investigator Site, Gap Assessment, TMF,CSR, etc.), and audit CAPA management.

Core Competencies, Knowledge And Skill Requirements

• Experience with BIMO inspection, training and preparing company and study sites forinspection readiness
• Knowledge of Computer System Validation requirements in association with CQA audits.
• Effective communication skills (written and verbal).
• Ability to build and sustain positive relationships with colleagues, internalstakeholders, and external partners by being transparent, reliable, and deliveringon commitments.
• Demonstrated ability to influence areas not under direct control to achieveobjectives and effectively communicate challenging goals and objectives.
• Ability to create innovative solutions to problems, while integrating stakeholderinput and feedback.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and aggressive timelines.
• Highly responsible, self-motivated professional with enthusiasm and passion for thecompany's mission.
• Proficient with various Microsoft and other computerized tools: MS Word, Outlook,Excel, PowerPoint, etc.
• Expert knowledge in ICH GCP guidelines and FDA regulations

Salaries, Benefits And Other Employee Perks

Dren Bio strongly believes in investing in, and rewarding, its employees. This philosophy is embodied in the Company’s total rewards program, which includes competitive cash compensation, equity incentive awards, and employer sponsored benefit offerings. The base pay range for this position at commencement of employment is expected to be between $190,000 and $225,000 per year. At Dren Bio, pay ranges are determined by role, level(s), and location. The range displayed in this job posting reflects the minimum and maximum new hire pay for candidates located across all United States job markets. Within the range, individual pay will be determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. During the hiring process, Dren Bio’s Human Resources department can share more about the specific pay range based on the market location of the candidate.

Employment Practices

Dren Bio is an equal opportunity employer. Employment decisions are based on merit and business needs. Dren Bio will not discriminate against any job applicant because of race, color, national origin, ancestry, gender, sexual orientation, age, religion, creed, physical or mental disability, gender identity, medical condition, pregnancy, marital status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law.