ABOUT US
Our Mission
Turnstone Biologics’ mission is to deliver breakthrough viral immunotherapies to improve survival for patients with cancer.
Turnstone Biologics is a privately-held immuno-oncology company based in Ottawa, Ontario. Since 2015, we have raised $50 million in venture capital financing, brought in more than $100 million in non-dilutive funding, and have received numerous biotechnology industry awards, including being named a 2017 Fierce 15 company.
Our scientific founders, Drs. John Bell, David Stojdl and Brian Lichty, are world leaders in the oncolytic virus and immunotherapy field. Collectively, they have published more than 200 publications in leading journals, and have spent years engineering and developing viruses to create the next generation of powerful, targeted therapies for cancer patients.
Our passionate team of leaders in oncology has decades of experience in biotechnology, academia and pharmaceutical drug development. With comprehensive capabilities in immuno-oncology discovery, basic research, translation, clinical development, manufacturing, and commercialization, we are committed to bringing new medicines to people with cancer to improve their lives.
our science
Breakthrough Viral Immunotherapies
Turnstone Biologics is the sole company developing viral immunotherapies that drive benefit through simultaneous generation of targeted immune responses and modulation of the tumor environment.
The Maraba Virus
Turnstone Biologics’ founders screened hundreds of viruses before discovering that Maraba, a single-stranded RNA virus isolated from sand flies around the Maraba region of Brazil, was an optimal platform for cancer therapeutics. Maraba was engineered to MG1 to optimize its safety, selectivity, manufacturability and potency to kill tumor cells, and transgene capacity was added for targeted expression of tumor-associated antigens and immunomodulatory agents.
MG1: The First 2-In-1 Approach
Our engineered oncolytic Maraba virus, known as MG1, is the first therapeutic 2-in-1 approach to combine an oncolytic virus and an antigen-specific cancer vaccine. With its unprecedented dual-mechanism driving robust killer T cell responses and disrupting the tumor microenvironment, MG1 kills cancer cells at metastatic sites throughout the body, and generates a durable immune response resulting in long-term memory to prevent recurrence.
our pipeline
Driven by Science and Innovation
Our first program is an engineered Maraba virus (MG1) that expresses the tumor-associated antigen MAGEA3, which is highly expressed on many different types of solid tumors. We are evaluating this therapy in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and skin cancers in two clinical trials – alone and in combination with the anti-PD-1 checkpoint inhibitor Keytruda™. Our second MG1 therapy for patients with human papillomavirus (HPV) positive tumors is also being evaluated in a Phase I/II clinical trial, and we have additional therapies on track to enter the clinic in 2019.
Program Pipeline
For more information about the HPV trial click here, the MAGEA3 monotherapy trial click here, and the MAGEA3 and anti-PD-1 combination trial click here.
our team
Leadership
Turnstone Biologics was founded by world-leading experts in oncolytic viruses and immunotherapies who have defined and advanced the field over the course of multiple decades. Our leadership team includes experts from academia and the life sciences industry who share the vision of bringing innovative viral immunotherapies based on our unique oncolytic Maraba virus platform to patients.
Sammy Farah, Ph.D., M.B.A.
President and Chief Executive Officer
Dr. Sammy Farah has extensive vaccine expertise and almost 20 years of scientific, business and executive management experience in the biotechnology industry. He joined Turnstone Biologics from Synthetic Genomics Vaccines, Inc., where he served as President. Prior to that, he was Chief Business Officer of Immune Design Corp. And before then, Sammy was at Versant Ventures where he specialized in biotechnology investing and new company formation, and at Merck & Co., Inc. where he led technology support for multiple commercial vaccine franchises before joining the business development and licensing group to evaluate and execute new external technology and research partnerships. Dr. Farah earned an M.B.A. from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, a Ph.D. in biochemical engineering from Stanford University, and a B.S. in biochemical engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Mike Burgess, M.B.Ch.B., Ph.D.
President of R&D
Dr. Mike Burgess brings 20 years of drug research and development experience to Turnstone Biologics. At Bristol-Myers Squibb, he led strategy and execution of translational medicine, early-stage clinical trials and clinical pharmacology across all therapeutic areas, including oncology. Prior to this at Roche, Mike held several different senior leadership positions, including acting global head of Roche Pharma Research and Early Development (pRED) and Senior Vice President and Global Head of Oncology Research and Early Development. Before joining Roche, Mike spent 7 years at Lilly working on early stage oncology trials. Mike received his medical degree (MBChB) and a Ph.D. in molecular biology from the University of Bristol, UK and spent 10 years as a practicing physician in pediatrics and pediatric oncology.
Jane Pritchett Henderson
Chief Financial Officer
Jane Pritchett Henderson brings nearly 30 years of experience in health care and life sciences to her new role as Chief Financial Officer of Turnstone. Previously, she served as Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice President of Corporate Development of Voyager Therapeutics since January 2017. Prior to Voyager, Ms. Henderson served as Chief Financial and Business Officer of Kolltan Pharmaceuticals, Inc., having joined the privately held biopharmaceutical company in early 2013 and leading the sale of Kolltan to Celldex Pharmaceuticals, Inc., in late 2016. Prior to Kolltan, Ms. Henderson served in various financial and business development leadership roles at ISTA Pharmaceuticals, Axerion Pharmaceuticals and Panacos Pharmaceuticals. In her more than 19 years in healthcare investment banking, Ms. Henderson executed more than 95 mergers and acquisitions, advisory and financing deals, holding senior roles at HSBC Holdings plc, Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, Lehman Brothers and Salomon Brothers. Ms. Henderson currently serves on the Board of Directors of Sesen Bio (formerly Eleven Biotherapeutics, Inc.) and Ophthotech as well as a non-profit foundation, The EQUUS Foundation.
José Manuel Otero, Ph.D.
SVP of Technical Operations
Dr. José Manuel (Manny) Otero has 15 years of experience in the biopharmaceutical industry, including in bioprocess development, manufacturing, and CMC of vaccines and complex biologics. He joined Turnstone Biologics from Seres Therapeutics, Inc., a leader in human microbiome therapeutics, where he was Vice President of Bioprocess Development and Manufacturing. At Seres Therapeutics, Dr. Otero oversaw the expansion of the bioprocess development and manufacturing group, and was the corporate team leader for the first synthetic microbiome therapeutic to enter Phase 1b clinical studies in the United States. Prior to that, Dr. Otero was Director of Engineering at Merck & Co.’s Vaccine Manufacturing Sciences & Commercialization division. In that role, he supported development programs for the Varivax™, Zostavax™, ProQuad™, and MMRII™ franchises. Prior to that role, he was Head of Fermentation Process Development, Vaccine Process Development within Merck Research Labs. Dr. Otero has authored more than 20 peer-reviewed publications. He earned a Ph.D. in chemical and biological engineering from Chalmers University of Technology in Gothenburg, Sweden, and an M.Eng. in biomedical engineering and a B.S. in chemical engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Kristin Gustafson
SVP of HR and Facilities
Kristin Gustafson brings with her more than 18 years of Human Resources experience specific to the biotech and pharmaceutical sector to Turnstone. Prior to joining Turnstone, Ms. Gustafson was with Kite Pharma, a Gilead company, where she led the global Human Resource and Facilities function during a time of explosive growth and the approval of Yescarta, the first CAR-T adult immunotherapy approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Prior to Kite, she spent four years at Intercept Pharmaceuticals and served as the company’s Senior Vice President of Global Human Resources and Facilities and also served in leadership roles at Cochlear and MGI Pharma. Kristin attended the University of Wisconsin, Madison.
Steve Bernstein, M.D.
SVP of Clinical Research and Development
Steven Bernstein, M.D., has more than 20 years of experience as a treating physician, translational scientist and pharmaceutical executive. Prior to joining Turnstone, Dr. Bernstein served as Chair, Immuno-Oncology Translational Research and Development, and Head, Integrated Science, at Bristol-Myers Squibb. Prior to BMS, he was as an academic physician scientist most recently at the University of Rochester’s James P. Wilmot Cancer Institute, where he was Professor of Medicine, Co-Director of the Hematological Malignancy and Lymphoma Biology Programs and Co-PI of the University of Rochester/Arizona Cancer Center NCI SPORE grant in lymphoma. Dr. Bernstein was a member of the Lymphoma Working Group of SWOG, and the Scientific Advisory Boards of both the Lymphoma Research Foundation and the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
Brian Lichty, Ph.D.
SVP, Basic Research
Dr. Brian Lichty is a distinguished scientist with extensive expertise in oncolytic viruses and related immunotherapies, including seminal work with Dr. John Bell at the Ottawa Regional Cancer Centre. He is a professor in the Department of Pathology & Molecular Medicine and the McMaster Immunology Research Centre (MIRC) at McMaster University. Dr. Lichty’s expertise includes influence research in the identification of strategies to leverage oncolytic viruses to harness the patient’s immune system in a sustainable manner, including vaccine design and engineering to directly engage the adaptive immune system tumor-specific and/or to enhance combinations with other immunotherapies. He is also director of the Robert E. Fitzhenry vector lab at McMaster University where clinical-grade viral vaccines are manufactured for human clinical trials. Dr. Lichty earned a Ph.D. from the University of Toronto and a B.Sc. from the University of Guelph.
David Stojdl, Ph.D.
SVP of Discovery Research
Dr. David Stojdl pioneered the exploration of host-virus interactions critical to oncolytic therapy to guide the clinical development of more effective virus platforms. At the Ottawa Regional Cancer Centre, he first identified VSV as an oncolytic virus and defined the archetypal role of interferon signaling in tumor-specific oncolytic virus targeting. Since joining the CHEO Research Institute in 2004, Dr. Stojdl has discovered and developed several novel oncolytic vector platforms, including the Maraba oncolytic virus platform. Dr. Stojdl also directs the CHEO Automated Screening Centre (CASC), leveraging state-of-the-art high-throughput robotic screening technology to uncover new insights for the clinical development of oncolytic virus biotherapies. Dr. Stojdl is a professor in the Department of Pediatrics and Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology at the University of Ottawa. He was a scientific co-founder and consultant to Jennerex Biotherapeutics (later acquired by SillaJen Biotherapeutics). He received a Ph.D. from the University of Ottawa and an M.S. and B.S. in microbiology and immunology from the University of Western Ontario.
Caroline Breitbach, Ph.D.
Vice President, Translational Development
Dr. Caroline Breitbach joined Turnstone Biologics from SillaJen Biotherapeutics (formerly Jennerex) where she was Vice President, Clinical and Translational Research. In that position, she oversaw translational and early-stage clinical development of an oncolytic immunotherapy and contributed to lead candidate development from Phase 1 through initiation of Phase 3 evaluation. Previously, she worked in Dr. John Bell’s group at the University of Ottawa, where she evaluated acute effects of oncolytic viruses on the tumor immune microenvironment. She earned a Ph.D. in biochemistry from the University of Ottawa and an Honor’s B.Sc. in microbiology and immunology from McGill University.
Maura Campbell, Ph.D.
Vice President, Corporate Affairs
Dr. Maura Campbell has spent more than 20 years in technology transfer and the management and commercialization of intellectual property (IP). She has business management experience in all key sectors of biotech, including private and public companies, universities and research institutes, and government-funded public sector research organizations (National Centre of Excellence [NCE]). Maura joined Turnstone Biologics from VBI Vaccines where she served as Director, Intellectual Property. She also was with the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute (OHRI) as a Senior Research Program Manager, where she oversaw the oncolytic vaccine project commercialization. Earlier in her career, Maura was the Director of Intellectual Property for PainCeptor Pharma Corporation, the Manager of Technology Transfer & Commercialization for the OHRI, and the Manager of Technology Transfer at the Institute for Robotics and Intelligent Systems at NCE. She has served as an IP consultant to a number of Canadian start-ups including Neurochem, Conjuchem, Aonix, AMRIC and Sussex Research Labs. Maura received a Ph.D. in biochemistry from the University of Ottawa, and an M.Sc. and a B.Sc. in biochemistry from Queen’s University in Kingston.
Karen Major
VP of Regulatory
Karen Major has 18 years of Regulatory Affairs experience, specializing in the global development of biotechnological oncology products. Prior to joining Turnstone, she was Sr. Director Regulatory Affairs at Arbutus Biopharma, focusing on chronic HBV. Prior to that, she held the same position at Tekmira Pharmaceuticals, developing siRNA-LNP products in oncology, infectious disease and metabolic indications. Karen led the Regulatory Affairs departments at YM BioSciences (acquired by Gilead in 2013) and Viventia Biotechnologies. Karen holds an honors BSc in Pharmacology and Toxicology from the University of Toronto, a post-graduate diploma in Regulatory Affairs and Quality Operations from Seneca College, and a Regulatory Affairs Certification (RAC) from RAPS.
Adina Pelusio
VP of Clinical Operations
Adina Pelusio has more than 15 years of experience in drug development, most recently as the Vice President, Clinical Operations at SillaJen Biotherapeutics (formerly Jennerex, Inc), where she spent a decade advancing oncolytic viruses in clinical trials. In addition to overseeing the Clinical Operations department at SillaJen, she managed and pioneered the medical educator role to expand hospital personnel comfort and knowledge globally with oncolytic viruses. Prior to Jennerex, Ms. Pelusio served as a SWAT Senior Clinical Research Associate at PPD, a large, global CRO, where she was tasked with study rescue and served on a technology committee assigned with developing training for CRAs and project teams on new technologies within the field.
John Bell, Ph.D.
Ottawa Hospital Research Institute
Dr. John Bell began his independent research career at McGill University before moving to the University of Ottawa and becoming a professor in the Department of Medicine. He is a member of the Center for Innovative Cancer Therapeutics at The Ottawa Hospital Cancer Center and a Senior Scientist at the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute. He heads the Canadian Oncolytic Virus Consortium, a Terry Fox-funded group from across Canada that is developing virus-based cancer therapeutics, and is the Director of the Biotherapeutics Program at the Ontario Institute for Cancer Research. John is the Scientific Director of the National Centre of Excellence for the development of Biotherapeutics for Cancer Therapy and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada. Dr. Bell received a Ph.D. from McMaster University and then trained at the Medical Research Council in London, U.K.
Brian Lichty, Ph.D.
McMaster University
Dr. Brian Lichty is a distinguished scientist with extensive expertise in oncolytic viruses and related immunotherapies, including seminal work with Dr. John Bell at the Ottawa Regional Cancer Centre. He is a professor in the Department of Pathology & Molecular Medicine and the McMaster Immunology Research Centre (MIRC) at McMaster University. Dr. Lichty’s expertise includes influence research in the identification of strategies to leverage oncolytic viruses to harness the patient’s immune system in a sustainable manner, including vaccine design and engineering to directly engage the adaptive immune system tumor-specific and/or to enhance combinations with other immunotherapies. He is also director of the Robert E. Fitzhenry vector lab at McMaster University where clinical-grade viral vaccines are manufactured for human clinical trials. Dr. Lichty earned a Ph.D. from the University of Toronto and a B.Sc. from the University of Guelph.
David Stojdl, Ph.D.
University of Ottawa
Dr. David Stojdl pioneered the exploration of host-virus interactions critical to oncolytic therapy to guide the clinical development of more effective virus platforms. At the Ottawa Regional Cancer Centre, he first identified VSV as an oncolytic virus and defined the archetypal role of interferon signaling in tumor-specific oncolytic virus targeting. Since joining the CHEO Research Institute in 2004, Dr. Stojdl has discovered and developed several novel oncolytic vector platforms, including the Maraba oncolytic virus platform. Dr. Stojdl also directs the CHEO Automated Screening Centre (CASC), leveraging state-of-the-art high-throughput robotic screening technology to uncover new insights for the clinical development of oncolytic virus biotherapies. Dr. Stojdl is a professor in the Department of Pediatrics and Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology at the University of Ottawa. He was a scientific co-founder and consultant to Jennerex Biotherapeutics (later acquired by SillaJen Biotherapeutics). He received a Ph.D. from the University of Ottawa and an M.S. and B.S. in microbiology and immunology from the University of Western Ontario.
Brad Bolzon, Ph.D.
Brad Bolzon, Ph.D., is a Managing Director and Chairman of Versant. He combines 13 years of global pharmaceutical industry experience and a similar tenure as a venture capitalist. Brad is the architect of Versant’s investment strategy. His track record consists of successive outlier returns including Amira (sale), Okairos (sale), Speedel (sale), Quanticel (sale), Novira (sale), Flexion (2014 IPO), Crispr (2016 IPO), BioTie (sale), Jecure (sale), Inception (multiple sales) and BlueRock (sale), and he continues to manage several other promising investments.
Prior to joining Versant, Brad served as Executive Vice President, Global Head of Business Development, Licensing & Alliances at Roche. Under his leadership, Roche established alliances with over 75 venture-backed biotech companies worldwide and transformed its R&D pipeline into an industry leader. Prior to that, Brad held executive roles at Eli Lilly in drug discovery, clinical research, regulatory affairs and business development. He earned Master of Science and Ph.D. degrees in Pharmacology from the University of Toronto.
Jerel Davis, Ph.D.
Dr. Jerel Davis is a Managing Director at Versant Ventures and is based in Vancouver. Since joining Versant in 2011, he has played a critical role in launching and investing in a number of Versant’s portfolio companies including Quanticel Pharmaceuticals, Crispr Therapeutics, Blueline Bioscience, Northern Biologics and several of the Inception Sciences discovery start-ups. He has also led Versant’s execution of build-to-buy structured acquisitions with Celgene, Roche and Bayer. Over the last few years, Jerel has focused on establishing Versant’s presence in Canada, including the launch of new companies in Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal. Prior to joining Versant, Jerel was Associate Principal at McKinsey and Company where he advised pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device and molecular diagnostics companies. He has worked in a number of healthcare markets globally including the United States, Europe, China, Russia and India. Jerel was a post-doctoral researcher at Stanford University and worked in research at Amgen.
Rishi Gupta, J.D.
Rishi Gupta is a private equity partner at OrbiMed. Prior to that, he was a healthcare investment banker at Raymond James & Associates, served as manager of corporate development at Veritas Medicine and was a summer associate at Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz. Rishi has published scientific articles on the mechanisms of HIV entry into host cells and legal articles on intellectual property laws in the developing world. In addition to Turnstone Biologics, he serves or has served on the boards of Dimension Therapeutics, Symbiomix Therapeutics, Avitide, Verona Pharma, ChemoCentryx and Sientra. He has also been actively involved with OrbiMed’s investments in Acceleron Pharma, CoGenesys, Supernus Pharmaceuticals, Adimab, Receptos, Aragon Pharmaceuticals, Seragon Pharmaceuticals, Alector, Arsanis, Biotie, Invitae and ORIC Pharmaceuticals. Rishi earned a J.D. from the Yale Law School and an A.B. degree magna cum laude in biochemical sciences from Harvard College.
Sammy Farah, Ph.D., M.B.A.
Dr. Sammy Farah has extensive vaccine expertise and almost 20 years of scientific, business and executive management experience in the biotechnology industry. He joined Turnstone Biologics from Synthetic Genomics Vaccines, Inc., where he served as President. Prior to that, he was Chief Business Officer of Immune Design Corp. And before then, Sammy was at Versant Ventures where he specialized in biotechnology investing and new company formation, and at Merck & Co., Inc. where he led technology support for multiple commercial vaccine franchises before joining the business development and licensing group to evaluate and execute new external technology and research partnerships. Dr. Farah earned an M.B.A. from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, a Ph.D. in biochemical engineering from Stanford University, and a B.S. in biochemical engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Patrick Machado
Patrick Machado is a co-founder of Medivation, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company, and has served on its Board of Directors since April 2014. Prior to his retirement in April 2014, Mr. Machado served as Medivation’s Chief Financial Officer since its inception in September 2003 and as its Chief Business Officer since December 2009. From 1998 until 2001, Mr. Machado was employed by ProDuct Health, Inc., a privately-held medical device company, as Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and General Counsel from 1998 to 2000, and as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer from 2000 to 2001. From 2001 until 2002, Mr. Machado served as a consultant to Cytyc Corporation, to assist with transitional matters related to Cytyc Corporation’s acquisition of ProDuct Health, Inc. Mr. Machado received a J.D. from Harvard Law School and a B.A. and B.S. in German and Economics, respectively, from Santa Clara University.
Robert Gould
Robert Gould joined Fulcrum as president and CEO at the time of the company’s launch in 2016, bringing over 30 years of experience to the role. Previously, he served as president and CEO of Epizyme from 2010 to 2015. Prior to joining Epizyme, Robert served as director of novel therapeutics at the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard from 2006 to 2010. Robert spent 23 years at Merck where he held a variety of leadership positions, culminating in the role of vice president, licensing and external research. Throughout his time at Merck, Robert was instrumental in advancing more than 20 compounds from discovery into clinical development in multiple therapeutic areas. Robert received a B.A. from Spring Arbor College and a Ph.D. from the University of Iowa and completed postdoctoral studies at the Johns Hopkins University.
Stefan Larson, Ph.D.
Dr. Larson joined Sectoral in 2018 as Partner – Private Equity, responsible for leading biotechnology private equity investments. Prior to joining Sectoral, Dr. Larson was an Entrepreneur-in-Residence and later Venture Partner with Versant Ventures, where he led the establishment of their Toronto-based Discovery Engine and was the founding CEO of Northern Biologics. Dr. Larson was also a co-founder of two medical device companies: Perimeter Medical Imaging, and Tornado Spectral Systems. He began his career at McKinsey & Company in San Francisco and Toronto. Dr. Larson received his B.Sc. in Biology from McGill University, and his M.Sc. in Molecular and Medical Genetics from the University of Toronto, prior to completing his Ph.D. in Biophysics at Stanford University.
Jeff Courtney
In Memoriam
Jeff Courtney helped to form Turnstone Biologics and was an outstanding leader for FACIT (Fight Against Cancer Innovation Trust). Jeff’s life’s work and warm personality inspires all of us at Turnstone Biologics to drive forward our mission to help cancer patients, and we greatly miss his presence, leadership and friendship.
We are backed by top-tier investors who are committed to the company’s growth. We have raised approximately $50 million in venture capital financing since our inception.
Turnstone Biologics views strategic partnerships as a core component of our strategy and is interested in collaborating with biopharma companies, academic centers, and universities to transform patient care.
In the fall of 2017, Turnstone Biologics entered into a strategic research, option and license agreement with AbbVie for our Ad-MG1-MAGEA3 therapy and two research-stage candidates that are presently in development.
Careers
Turnstone Biologics’ team works with a sense of urgency to fulfill our mission. Our decision-making is driven by science and our therapeutics are designed with the patient in mind.
We value transparency, innovation, integrity and purpose as we collaborate to transform cancer care. If you’re a passionate person, and our mission and science excite you, Turnstone Biologics might be for you.
Team Member Openings
Turnstone Biologics is dedicated to excellence and innovation in every aspect of our science and business. We are actively looking for exceptional individuals who share our passion for developing and delivering next-generation viral immunotherapies. We offer competitive compensation and benefits and are an equal opportunity employer.
Turnstone Biologics is a clinical-stage, immuno-oncology company focused on the development of next-generation oncolytic viral immunotherapies for patients with a broad range of solid tumors. Turnstone’s unique, first-in-class oncolytic viral immunotherapies combine the potent tumor-killing effects of an oncolytic virus with a tumor-targeted T-cell vaccine to harness an individual’s own immune system to attack the tumor, preventing recurrence and delivering a cure. Turnstone’s robust pipeline of early-stage compounds, based on its MG1 oncolytic virus platform, are in development for multiple solid tumors and are being evaluated in combination with other cancer immunotherapies, including checkpoint inhibitors, to drive unprecedented, durable T-cell immune responses and strong anti-tumor activity and prevent recurrence. Turnstone is building a world-class, high-performing company that embraces being a learning organization with a sense of urgency. Turnstone has a seasoned board of directors and venture capital partners, is enrolling clinical studies, has a rich development portfolio, and highly active R&D efforts led by a world-class scientific management team. Turnstone is co-located in Ottawa, Hamilton, Canada and New York, USA.
Position Overview:
Imagine coming to work every day where over-communication, transparency, teaching, listening, asking, thinking, working hard, and having fun are normal – actually, expected? Imagine having a coach, mentor, peers, and partners where candid feedback, self-improvement, risk taking, failing, learning from that failing, and succeeding are what we call ‘another day at Turnstone’? At Turnstone, the science drives decision making, and our drugs are designed with the patient in mind. Like the disease we’re fighting, our platform is complex, and transformative. If you’re a passionate person, and our science excites you – this opportunity may be for you.
Support Turnstone Management and Project/Program leaders to provide Project Management and Alliance Management support to Turnstone Research and Development programs:
• Ensure that programs in the Research and Development portfolios are supported with appropriate and consistent Project/Program Management support, including:
o Facilitating the development of cross functional strategy and ensuring appropriate communication to internal stakeholders
o Defining program level plans that include scope, timelines, milestones, deliverables, key Go/NoGo decisions points, resources, and budgets
o Tracking and owning program timeline, milestone, and budget data
o Leading the team through planning for cross functional transitions
o Ensuring that changes to program timelines are appropriately communicated to the team and Leadership
o Coordinating team meetings as needed to meet team deliverables, track decisions and follow up on action items
o Work with the team to identify program risks and develop mitigation strategies
• Ensure that Alliances/collaborations are supported with Alliance management support, including:
o Serve as a primary liaison for Alliance communications
o Facilitate joint leadership meetings at appropriate frequency
o Facilitate joint team meetings at appropriate frequency to meet the needs of the team
o Ensure internal team and leadership team is aware of and working towards meeting collaboration expectations
o Understanding Turnstone positions on strategic goals and ensuring appropriate communication to partner
o Ensure team is meeting contractual obligations and flagging to leadership when contractual interpretation is required
What’s in it for you?
In this role, you will have the opportunity to develop your ability to think both strategically and drive fast-paced execution. With our company size and growth we will give you plenty of opportunities for you to be an inspirational and collaborative co-functional leader. Passionate about being a part of a critical function of a growing company and continuous learning? We will have plenty of that for you!
We are in the early stages of building strategies, structures and process so this role will be busy and expanding. We also have opportunities for you to be a mentor to other team members. You would have the opportunity to create something new and ‘WOW!’ all of us and grow right along with the company.
Experience & Qualifications:
Requirements:
• MSc or BSc Degree
• 7+ years experience in a project management role in a biotechnology or pharmaceutical company
• PMP Project Management Certificate preferred
• Familiar with drug development process and a demonstrated understanding of the clinical development process
• Ability to foster business relationships with internal and external business partners.
• Proven ability to influence others to get things done without formal authority.
• Demonstrated ability to map out new business processes and improve existing processes
• Ability to facilitate, negotiate and communicate in cross-functional team environment to achieve overall project goals.
• Self-motivated, comfortable in fast-paced small company environment with minimal direction and able to adjust workload based upon changing priorities
• Effective communication, interpersonal skills, collaboration and negotiation skills
• Highly organized and efficient, close attention to details and able to orchestrate multiple projects simultaneously
• Able to represent and communicate project timelines/priorities at senior management meetings
• Proficiency in using Microsoft Office suite – Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Project.
To Apply:
Turnstone Biologics welcomes and encourages applications from people with disabilities. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process. We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those selected will be invited for an interview.
Turnstone Biologics is a clinical-stage, immuno-oncology company focused on the development of next-generation oncolytic viral immunotherapies for patients with a broad range of solid tumors. Turnstone’s unique, first-in-class oncolytic viral immunotherapies combine the potent tumor-killing effects of an oncolytic virus with a tumor-targeted T-cell vaccine to harness an individual’s own immune system to attack the tumor, preventing recurrence and delivering a cure. Turnstone’s robust pipeline of early-stage compounds, based on its MG1 oncolytic virus platform, are in development for multiple solid tumors and are being evaluated in combination with other cancer immunotherapies, including checkpoint inhibitors, to drive unprecedented, durable T-cell immune responses and strong anti-tumor activity and prevent recurrence. Turnstone is building a world-class, high-performing company that embraces being a learning organization with a sense of urgency. Turnstone has a seasoned board of directors and venture capital partners, is enrolling clinical studies, has a rich development portfolio, and highly active R&D efforts led by a world-class scientific management team. Turnstone is co-located in Ottawa, Hamilton, Canada and New York, USA.
Position Overview:
Imagine coming to work every day where over-communication, transparency, teaching, listening, asking, thinking, working hard, and having fun are normal – actually, expected? Imagine having a coach, mentor, peers, and partners where candid feedback, self-improvement, risk taking, failing, learning from that failing, and succeeding are what we call ‘another day at Turnstone’? At Turnstone, the science drives decision making, and our drugs are designed with the patient in mind. Like the disease we’re fighting, our platform is complex, and transformative. If you’re a passionate person, and our science excites you – this opportunity may be for you.
The Scientist will play key roles in the design, execution, and analysis of immunological experiments to further the development of Turnstone Biologics’ growing pipeline. This is an exciting opportunity to work along side senior researchers and project teams to perform discovery and development research that will ultimately inform clinical development.
Our company’s technology is based around replicating oncolytic virus vaccines engineered to target tumours and launch massive tumour targeting immune responses. The core of this technology lies in the designing and building of these genetically constructed viruses. Your role will be to join a team of immunologists and molecular biologists who invent and develop these nanomedicines for preclinical and clinical evaluation. There will be additional opportunities to work with our CMC team and other R&D members to continually refine the technology and manufacturing process for this class defining technology. If you have experience with manual (or robotic), cell based and biochemical assays to interrogate the immunological mileu of rodent and/or human blood, tissue or tumour samples, including ICS, ELISpot assay, ELISA, RNA seq and are meticulous and driven to achieve; then this opportunity may be just what you are looking for.
The Scientist will work along side senior researchers and project teams and participate in designing and executing cell-based immunology and virology assay following established laboratory standard operating procedures (SOPs). We have an open, transparent and dynamic culture that embraces scientific excellence, integrity, urgency, partnerships with key stakeholders and continuous learning/improvements.
What’s in it for you?
In this role, you will have the opportunity to develop your ability to think both strategically and drive fast-paced execution. With our company size and growth we will give you plenty of opportunities for you to be an inspirational and collaborative co-functional leader. Passionate about being a part of a critical function of a growing company and continuous learning? We will have plenty of that for you!
We are in the early stages of building strategies, structures and process so this role will be busy and expanding. We also have opportunities for you to be a mentor to other team members. You would have the opportunity to create something new and ‘WOW!’ all of us and grow right along with the company.
Experience & Qualifications:
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• Participate in various aspects of in vitro and in vivo studies including but not limited to: designing and executing experiments, organizing teams, scheduling and managing complex multi-disciplinary experiments, collecting, interpreting and communicating results
• Prepare data/figures to present to senior research staff
• Generate study reports in a timely manner
• Writing and reviewing SOPs
• Contribute to a team-centric culture that embraces scientific excellence, integrity, and urgency
• Hold a Ph.D. in Immunology/Microbiology/Biochemistry (research primarily focused in immunology) with 2+ years of post graduate experience or biotech or pharmaceutical industry experience
• Robust understanding of innate and adaptive immune systems is required, T cell biology preferred.
• Experience with in vivo models, isolation and culture of primary cells (both mouse and human).
• National Institutional Animal User Training Certification (NIAUT) an asset.
• A expert knowledge of immune based in vitro assays, flow cytometry and common molecular techniques.
• Experience in T cell function/differentiation/signaling/regulation, phenotypic analysis of inhibitory and costimulatory targets and pathways and/or neoantigen biology and vaccines is highly preferred.
To Apply:
Turnstone Biologics welcomes and encourages applications from people with disabilities. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process. We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those selected will be invited for an interview.
Turnstone Biologics Inc. is the leading virus-based immunoncology biotechnology company developing novel oncolytic vaccine therapeutics for cancer patients. Our first-in-class platform technology attacks tumours using a two-pronged approach: targeted and robust tumour killing using an oncolytic virus, in combination with a cancer vaccine that generates long-lasting anti-tumour immune responses. Turnstone is building a world-class, high-performing team that embraces being a learning organization with a sense of urgency. Turnstone has a seasoned board of directors and venture capital partners, is enrolling clinical studies, has a rich development portfolio, and highly active R&D efforts led by a world-class scientific management team. Turnstone is co-located in Ottawa, Canada and New York, USA. For more information, please visit www.turnstonebio.com.
Position Overview:
Imagine coming to work every day where over-communication, transparency, teaching, listening, asking, thinking, working hard, and having fun are normal – actually, expected? Imagine having a coach, mentor, peers, and partners where candid feedback, self-improvement, risk taking, failing, learning from that failing, and succeeding are what we call ‘another Thursday at Turnstone’? At Turnstone, the science drives decision making, and our drugs are designed with the patient in mind. Like the disease we’re fighting, our platform is complex, and transformative. If you’re a passionate person, and our science excites you – this opportunity may be for you.
Responsibilities
• Partner with internal and external stakeholders to track orders, prepare documentation and coordinate/monitor the delivery of shipments, globally. Ensure full compliance of import/export operation activities are met based on applicable regulatory requirements.
• Effectively and proactively manage inquiries and any logistics-related issues received from internal and external customers, carrier companies, Customs or other regulatory body.
• Monitor expiration of permits and import licenses, and prepare documentation for new applications or renewals, as required.
• Logistics and inventory coordination/traceability – ensure accuracy of transactions to maintain reliable inventory reports.
What’s in it for you?
In this role, you will have the opportunity to develop your ability to think both strategically and drive fast-paced execution. With our company size and growth we will give you plenty of opportunities for you to be an inspirational and collaborative co-functional leader. Passionate about being a part of a critical function of a growing company and continuous learning? We will have plenty of that for you!
We are in the early stages of building strategies, structures and process so this role will be busy and expanding. We also have opportunities for you to be a mentor to other team members. You would have the opportunity to create something new and ‘WOW!’ all of us and grow right along with the company.
Experience & Qualifications:
Requirements:
• BS/BA required (science or business preferred), or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Requires a minimum of 3-5 years’ experience that includes in-depth understanding of cGMP Logistics operations in the Pharma/Biotech field or relevant field.
• Must have a working knowledge of Trade Compliance responsibilities, on both the import and export sides of the logistics business.
• Cold Chain experience required.
• Working experience and knowledge of applicable regulatory requirements (FDA, CDC, USDA, EU, FAA, IATA, DOT, Customs, and OSHA).
• Experience / ability to understand and develop procedures and other controlled documents required.
To Apply:
Turnstone Biologics welcomes and encourages applications from people with disabilities. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process. We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those selected will be invited for an interview.
Turnstone Biologics is a clinical-stage, immuno-oncology company focused on the development of next-generation oncolytic viral immunotherapies for patients with a broad range of solid tumors. Turnstone’s unique, first-in-class oncolytic viral immunotherapies combine the potent tumor-killing effects of an oncolytic virus with a tumor-targeted T-cell vaccine to harness an individual’s own immune system to attack the tumor, preventing recurrence and delivering a cure. Turnstone’s robust pipeline of early-stage compounds, based on its MG1 oncolytic virus platform, are in development for multiple solid tumors and are being evaluated in combination with other cancer immunotherapies, including checkpoint inhibitors, to drive unprecedented, durable T-cell immune responses and strong anti-tumor activity and prevent recurrence. Turnstone is building a world-class, high-performing company that embraces being a learning organization with a sense of urgency. Turnstone has a seasoned board of directors and venture capital partners, is enrolling clinical studies, has a rich development portfolio, and highly active R&D efforts led by a world-class scientific management team. Turnstone is co-located in Ottawa, Hamilton, Canada and New York, USA.
Position Overview:
Imagine coming to work every day where over-communication, transparency, teaching, listening, asking, thinking, working hard, and having fun are normal – actually, expected? Imagine having a coach, mentor, peers, and partners where candid feedback, self-improvement, risk taking, failing, learning from that failing, and succeeding are what we call ‘another day at Turnstone’? At Turnstone, the science drives decision making, and our drugs are designed with the patient in mind. Like the disease we’re fighting, our platform is complex, and transformative. If you’re a passionate person, and our science excites you – this opportunity may be for you.
Our Bioprocess Development and Manufacturing Sciences (PD&MS) team is growing. As part of the Technical Operations organization, the PD&MS team is responsible for leading the overall strategy and technical development for Drug Substance, and Drug Product for our clinical-staged assets. PD&MS also supports technical transfers, and collaborates closely with Manufacturing to provide technical support for GMP operations. As the Senior Manager of Process Development on PD&MS team, you will report to the Director, Bioprocess Development & Manufacturing Sciences. You will be charged with leading a team of Scientists and Engineers to ensure success of our process development workstreams executing within our virtual CDMO network. The responsibilities for this position span across our multi-virus platform and include:
– Providing leadership and guidance to a team of Scientists and Engineers
– Provide technical input for process improvements, with a large focus on upstream process development
– Help to develop the quality Target Product Profile for our viral products
– Represent Turnstone Tech Ops externally at our CDMO network
– Support drafting, and reviewing of regulatory documentation
– Support successful technical transfers and scale-up activities
– Drive corporate and departmental objectives to completion through strong collaboration with a broad range of internal functions, in particular Regulatory Affairs and Quality Assurance
What’s in it for you?
In this role, you will have the opportunity to develop your ability to think both strategically and drive fast-paced execution. With our company size and growth we will give you plenty of opportunities for you to be an inspirational and collaborative co-functional leader. Passionate about being a part of a critical function of a growing company and continuous learning? We will have plenty of that for you!
We are in the early stages of building strategies, structures and process so this role will be busy and expanding. You would have the opportunity to create something new and ‘WOW!’ all of us and grow right along with the company.
Experience & Qualifications:
-
• The Senior Manager will be positioned in our Ottawa, Canada office Head Quarters
• PhD Biochemical Engineering, or PhD in other related Science field (virology, biology, biochemistry)
• 10+ years experience
• Upstream process development experience including mamammlian cell culture, bioreactor engineering and virus infection/harvest/lysis. Downstrem purification experience considered an asset
• Early stage (clinical development, phase I) process development experience considered an asset
• Broad exposure to different biological drug products. Experience working with viruses considered an asset.
• Experience at a start up biotech strongly preferred
• Strong leadership skills as demonstrated through previous industry roles
• Execllent communication both written, and spoken
• Analytical minded individual with the ability to investigate technically challenging problems
• Mature interpersonal skills and a communication style that matches the Turnstone style: respectful, transparent, and constant
• Excellent computer skills, including Microsoft Excel and Powerpoint
• Able to manage competing priorities effectively and adapt to changing priorities
To Apply:
Turnstone Biologics welcomes and encourages applications from people with disabilities. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process. We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those selected will be invited for an interview.
Turnstone Biologics is a clinical-stage, immuno-oncology company focused on the development of next-generation oncolytic viral immunotherapies for patients with a broad range of solid tumors. Turnstone’s unique, first-in-class oncolytic viral immunotherapies combine the potent tumor-killing effects of an oncolytic virus with a tumor-targeted T-cell vaccine to harness an individual’s own immune system to attack the tumor, preventing recurrence and delivering a cure. Turnstone’s robust pipeline of early-stage compounds, based on its MG1 oncolytic virus platform, are in development for multiple solid tumors and are being evaluated in combination with other cancer immunotherapies, including checkpoint inhibitors, to drive unprecedented, durable T-cell immune responses and strong anti-tumor activity and prevent recurrence. Turnstone is building a world-class, high-performing company that embraces being a learning organization with a sense of urgency. Turnstone has a seasoned board of directors and venture capital partners, is enrolling clinical studies, has a rich development portfolio, and highly active R&D efforts led by a world-class scientific management team. Turnstone is co-located in Ottawa, Hamilton, Canada and New York, USA.
Position Overview:
Imagine coming to work every day where over-communication, transparency, teaching, listening, asking, thinking, working hard, and having fun are normal – actually, expected? Imagine having a coach, mentor, peers, and partners where candid feedback, self-improvement, risk taking, failing, learning from that failing, and succeeding are what we call ‘another day at Turnstone’? At Turnstone, the science drives decision making, and our drugs are designed with the patient in mind. Like the disease we’re fighting, our platform is complex, and transformative. If you’re a passionate person, and our science excites you – this opportunity may be for you.
If you are interested in being a part of a growing Technical Operations team, then this role may be for you! As the Director, Quality Assurance, you will oversee the Quality function to ensure GXP compliance in accordance with country regulations and guidelines, as well as the company’s policies and procedures.
The responsibilities include the following:
Drive the development of the company’s Quality strategy and policies.
Oversee company-wide documentation practices, record keeping, training, auditing, raw material qualification and risk assessment, SOPs, batch records, study protocols, reports, investigations, analytical methods, and release specifications.
Lead all QA efforts and documentation for the compliant manufacturing of lead product candidates.
Provide Quality Assurance and compliance oversight for contract manufacturers and research organizations to ensure products/deliverables meet all required quality standards and specifications.
Draft, review, and approve relevant sections of regulatory filings.
Build and scale the QA team to align with business objectives
Represent QA department at project and leadership team meetings.
Drive corporate and department objectives to completion through strong collaboration with a broad range of internal and external functions and levels of management
Cultivate a culture of quality and shared accountability throughout the organization to help ensure compliance with applicable regulations, guidelines, and corporate standards, policies and procedures.
Ensure that the company and its contactors (e.g., CMOs, clinical sites) are prepared for state, regional, or country authority inspections. Coordinate all authority inspections by ensuring sufficient resources are in-place to respond to information requests, adjudicate compliance discussions, and negotiate any required corrective actions.
What’s in it for you?
In this role, you will have the opportunity to develop your ability to think both strategically and drive fast-paced execution. With our company size and growth we will give you plenty of opportunities for you to be an inspirational and collaborative co-functional leader. Passionate about being a part of a critical function of a growing company and continuous learning? We will have plenty of that for you!
We are in the early stages of building strategies, structures and process so this role will be busy and expanding. We also have opportunities for you to be a mentor to other team members. You would have the opportunity to create something new and ‘WOW!’ all of us and grow right along with the company.
Experience & Qualifications:
-
BA/BS Degree
Minimum of 10 years of operational quality assurance and GxP compliance. Requires manufacturing experience in a pharma or biotech environment, preferably focused in viruses or vaccines, gene or cell therapy.
Prior experience implementing quality systems and advancing novel therapeutics from preclinical stages through IND to BLA is desired.
Effectively managed FDA inspections/audits, and conducted supplier/manufacturer audits.
Demonstrated ability to manage staff and projects (direct and indirectly) and variable workloads with demanding timelines.
Ability to build/scale Quality functions.
Strong interpersonal, teamwork, and organizational skills; effective oral and written communication skills.
To Apply:
Turnstone Biologics welcomes and encourages applications from people with disabilities. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process. We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those selected will be invited for an interview.
Notice to Recruiters: Turnstone Biologics values our recruiting partnerships, but to protect the interest of all parties, we do not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters. All recruiting is managed through our human resources department.
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Contact
Ottawa
787 Bank Street, 2nd Floor
Ottawa, Ontario K1S 3V5
(613) 421-8930
New York City
920 Broadway, 16th Floor
New York, New York 10010
(613) 421-8930