Chief Scientific Officer

Location: Seattle, WA strongly preferred (Hybrid model with meaningful on‑site presence to support scientific leadership and team cohesion)Company Background Aptevo Therapeutics (NASDAQ: APVO) is a clinical‑stage biotechnology company developing novel multispecific immunotherapies that safely harness and direct the immune system to fight cancer. Anchored by two proprietary platforms — ADAPTIR™ and ADAPTIR‑FLEX™ — our programs are engineered for precision, safety, versatility, and combinability, enabling next‑generation bispecific and trispecific antibody therapeutics with the potential to transform care for patients with both hematologic malignancies and solid tumors. Our lead candidate, mipletamig, has demonstrated compelling clinical activity, including 89% remission in evaluable frontline AML patients in combination with azacitidine/venetoclax (aza/ven) — notably with no CRS observed in the frontline setting, a testament to the unique safety advantages of our CRIS‑7–derived CD3 engineering approach. More than 100 patients have been treated to date across monotherapy and combination studies. Mipletamig is currently being evaluated in RAINIER, a Phase 1b/2 study evaluating the compound in frontline patients in combination with aza/ven. Our second clinical program, ALG.APV-527, is a next‑generation 4‑1BB x 5T4 bispecific antibody showing early signs of antitumor activity (59% stable disease in evaluable patients) and a favorable safety profile. Its tumor microenvironment–restricted 4‑1BB activation design enables potent immune stimulation while minimizing systemic toxicity. Notable, in a Phase 1 monotherapy study, no liver toxicity was observed, a common and often dose‑limiting toxicity often seen in patients who receive similar therapies. Aptevo’s pipeline now includes eight clinical and discovery‑stage molecules spanning CD3 T‑cell engagement, 4‑1BB costimulation, CD40 agonism, tumor‑targeting multispecifics, and emerging constructs addressing high‑value oncology indications.The Opportunity Aptevo is seeking an accomplished, highly collaborative Chief Scientific Officer (CSO) and enterprise R&D leader to join the executive team and lead scientific strategy and execution across the pipeline. The CSO will pair deep scientific judgment with disciplined operating leadership—driving prioritization, decision‑making, and accountability across internal teams and external partners—while serving as a credible, Board‑facing leader who elevates scientific standards, advances programs, and builds durable capabilities.This is an exceptional opportunity for an enterprise R&D executive leader who can set strategy, drive execution through a high‑performing team, and serve as a decisive, Board‑facing scientific leader—shaping Aptevo’s R&D strategy, platform direction, culture, and long‑term value creation.Roles and Responsibilities Scientific Strategy & VisionDevelop and communicate a compelling multi‑year scientific strategy aligned with Aptevo’s technology platforms and oncology mission.Lead portfolio prioritization, resource allocation, and stage‑gate decision making across internal and external programs.Identify new scientific avenues that leverage the versatility of ADAPTIR™ and ADAPTIR‑FLEX™.Serve as one of the key scientific voices to the Board of Directors, alongside the Chief Medical Officer, providing regular updates on R&D strategy, portfolio progress, scientific risk, and key considerations.Lead, mentor, and elevate senior directors across Immunobiology, Preclinical Pharmacology, Translational Pharmacology, Protein Engineering, and CMC/Quality—driving operating cadence, decision quality, accountability, and on‑time milestone delivery.Provide hands‑on scientific guidance on experimental design, mechanistic studies, and troubleshooting.Define and oversee program governance, including scientific decision frameworks, and milestone‑based progress for each product candidate.Ensure programs advance on time, on budget, and with high scientific and technical quality.Demonstrate the ability to proactively identify potential timeline risks and clearly communicate challenges, while proposing practical solutions or alternative paths when appropriate.Identify scientific and technical risks across programs and guide the development of mitigation strategies.Optimize internal and external R&D execution models, including CRO/vendor strategy and operational planning.Set and uphold standards for scientific rigor, data quality, and high‑quality documentation across all research functions.Lead the integrated CMC and Quality strategy across programs—setting direction, establishing decision forums, and ensuring manufacturability, quality readiness, and supply strategy are proactively built into development plans. Credibly challenge assumptions and guide tradeoffs with CMC/Quality experts and external partners/CDMOs.Cross‑Functional LeadershipPartner closely with the CEO, CMO, CFO, GC and BD to integrate scientific priorities with corporate strategy, financial planning, and clinical development trajectories.Work across functions to prepare programs for IND‑enabling studies and efficient transition into early clinical development.Collaborate with Program/Project Management to ensure alignment of scientific plans, timelines, and resourcing across teams.Lead scientific input into Board discussions, portfolio reviews, and long‑term strategic planning.External Scientific LeadershipServe as a key scientific spokesperson for Aptevo at scientific conferences, partnering forums, and investor events.Lead scientific diligence and ongoing governance of external collaborations and partnerships (e.g., Alligator Bioscience and, as applicable, radiopharma partners), including joint steering cadence, decision rights, deliverables, escalation pathways, and integration of partner workstreams into Aptevo’s development plans.Contribute scientific expertise to due diligence activities for partnerships, licensing opportunities, and potential M&A transactions.Engage with scientific and regulatory stakeholders, as appropriate, to represent Aptevo’s R&D programs.Cultivate relationships with academic collaborators, KOLs, and industry partners.Leadership & CultureFoster a scientific culture grounded in Aptevo’s values, Empowerment, Ownership, and ProfessionalismBuild and develop a high‑performing team of scientific leaders, preparing them for external visibility with investors, partners, and the Board.Champion an inclusive, mission‑driven environment that attracts, retains, and motivates top‑tier scientific talent.Qualifications & Experience15+ years of biotech/pharma experience with a track record of owning and delivering program outcomes (not just advising), including senior leadership of multi‑disciplinary teams, governance, budgeting/prioritization, and progression of biologics programs through IND/early clinical milestones.PhD required in immunology, oncology, molecular/cellular biology, protein engineering, or a related discipline.Proven success advancing biologics—ideally bispecifics, trispecifics, or other multispecific IO modalities—from discovery through IND and early clinical development.Deep expertise in immuno‑oncology, T‑cell biology, immune costimulation, tumor microenvironment mechanisms, and translational pharmacology.Demonstrated experience leading CMC strategy and decision‑making for biologics programs (with internal teams and/or CDMOs), including developability/manufacturability risk assessment, control strategy thinking, and readiness for IND/early clinical supply.Credible, executive‑level scientific leader with demonstrated effectiveness influencing and leading senior stakeholders—including internal executives, partners, investors, and the Board—through clear recommendations, decisive prioritization, and outcome‑oriented execution.Washington Pay Transparency Disclosure Base Salary Range: The expected base salary range for this role is $400,000 – $470,000, depending on experience, scope, and qualifications.Annual Incentive Bonus: This role is eligible for an annual performance‑based bonus, with a target opportunity of approximately 35%–40% of base salary, based on individual and company performance.Long‑Term Incentives: This position is eligible to participate in the Company’s long‑term incentive program, which may include equity‑based awards. Target long‑term incentive values are market‑competitive and determined based on role scope, experience, and Board approval.Total Compensation: The total compensation package is designed to be competitive with market benchmarks for Chief Scientific Officer roles in biotechnology and will be finalized based on candidate qualifications and internal equity.Generous paid time off (PTO) program9 paid holidays + paid time off between Christmas and New Year’s DayMedical, dental insurance for employees and eligible dependent(s) – PPO & High Deductible PlanVision planHealth Savings Account (HSA) with employer funding: single: $500, family: $1,000Flexible Spending Account (FSA)Health Care Flexible Spending AccountDependent Care Flexible Spending AccountEquity award eligibility401(k) Plan: $.50 match for every dollar contributed to a maximum of 3%Basic life and AD&D insurance: company paidLong‑term disability: company paidShor-term disability: company paidSupplemental Life and AD&D for employee, spouse and child(ren)Employee Referral BonusEmployee Assistance Plan (EAP)Paid parental leaveAttachments Aptevo Therapeutics_CSO_Position Description Final.pdf#J-18808-Ljbffr

Created: 2026-03-03