Chief Executive Officer (CEO) â Magdalena Biosciences

Location: Remote, anywhere in USA

Company Stage: Seed Stage (Preparing for Series A)

Reports To: Board of Directors

About Magdalena Biosciences

Magdalena Biosciences is a pioneering joint venture formed by Jaguar Health and Filament Health, with foundational funding from One Small Planet. Our mission is to develop novel, plant-derived, pharmaceutical-grade prescription medicines for mental health disorders.

Initially focusing on adult Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), depression, and anxiety, Magdalena leverages Jaguarâs proprietary library of 2,300 highly characterized medicinal plants and Filamentâs advanced drug development technology. We are uniquely positioned to build revolutionary drugs from whole-extract coca leaf, offering safe, novel mechanisms of action compared to chemically synthesized small-molecule drugs.

Position Overview

Magdalena Biosciences is seeking a highly entrepreneurial and visionary Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to lead the company through its seed expansion, drive early pipeline development, and secure a successful Series A financing round.

The ideal candidate possesses a deep understanding of FDA botanical drug guidance, Central Nervous System (CNS) indications, and early-stage biotech operations. Operating in a lean, resource-constrained environment, you will drive strategic clarity from ambiguity, turning raw botanical innovation into a validated, commercializable clinical pipeline.

Key Responsibilities

1. Strategic Leadership & Pipeline Development

Define Strategy: Refine the companyâs scientific and corporate trajectory, ensuring an efficient path from preclinical study initiation to validated programs.
Prioritize Indications: Establish milestone-driven development plans for high-value targets (adult ADHD, depression, and anxiety) optimized for a capital-efficient seed-to-Series-A timeline.
Risk Mitigation: Proactively identify and derisk scientific, regulatory, and operational assumptions early in the development lifecycle.

2. Fundraising & Investor Relations

Capital Acquisition: Lead all financing activities, maximizing seed expansion and driving the strategy for a successful Series A raise.
Relationship Management: Build and maintain high-trust relationships with venture capitalists, impact investors, and strategic partners.
Corporate Narrative: Craft and articulate a compelling, scientifically credible company narrative to external stakeholders.

3. Team Building & Culture

Recruitment: Build and lead a lean, elite, cross-functional team across R&D, clinical operations, and program management.
Culture Champion: Foster a hands-on, data-driven, and execution-focused culture that rewards smart risk-taking and rapid learning.
Advisory Governance: Engage and manage scientific founders, advisors, and the Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) to maximize platform development.

4. Partnerships & Business Development

Alliances: Identify, negotiate, and execute strategic partnerships with academic institutions, biotechnology startups, and large pharmaceutical companies.
Vendor Operations: Oversee relationships with contract service providers, specialized funding bodies, and CROs to ensure disciplined, externalized execution.

Qualifications & Requirements

Professional Experience

Biotech Leadership: Proven track record as a Founder, CEO, CRO, COO, CSO, Head of R&D, or senior Business Development executive within an early-stage biotechnology startup.
Capital Raising: Demonstrated success raising capital, building investor trust, and securing venture financing.
Domain Expertise: Direct experience in botanical drug development, appetite suppression, or neuropsychiatric/CNS drug pipelines.
Resource Management: Proven capability to execute disciplined prioritization and achieve results within resource-constrained environments.

Skills & Attributes

Scientific Fluency: Ability to speak the language of science fluently and engage meaningfully with researchers, clinicians, and technical partners.
Strategic

Chief Executive Officer at Magdalena Biosciences