VP Platform Discovery

Starting with ophthalmology, Coave Therapeutics is redefining targeted gene therapy by solving its most critical challenge: delivery. The Company is pioneering first-in-class ligand-conjugated AAVs through its proprietary ALIGATER TM platform, enabling precision vectors that are highly tissue specific, precisely delivered and safer than traditional approaches.

Through its targeted gene therapy approach, Coave has created the first suprachoroidal AAV vector, which has the potential to transform the treatment of retinal vascular diseases such as nAMD and DME. Coave is advancing its lead program, CoTx-101, towards clinical development, with the goal of delivering a best-in-class, durable and convenient treatment that frees patients from the burden of frequent injections while providing durable vision gains.

ALIGATER is a modular, plug-and-play chemical conjugation platform that can be applied any vector. By enabling precise targeting control, it enables exploration of prevalent indications previously considered unthinkable with traditional gene therapy approaches.

Headquartered in Paris, France, Coave Therapeutics is backed by leading international life science investors. For more information, please visit

Position overview

Reporting to the Chief Scientific Officer, the VP Platform Discovery will lead the scientific strategy and execution of all ALIGATER TM platform discovery activities, with a strong focus on transforming platform innovation into differentiated therapeutic and partnering opportunities. This role sits at the intersection of vector engineering, targeted delivery biology, translational science, and strategic platform development. The successful candidate will be responsible for driving receptor selection, ligand discovery/engineering, conjugation strategies, and in vitro/ex vivo/in vivo functional evaluation. The role requires balancing innovation with a highly pragmatic, biotech-focused mindset, ensuring that platform discovery efforts remain tightly aligned with translational feasibility, CMC, clinical relevance, and biotech execution timelines.

Beyond scientific leadership, the VP Platform Discovery will play a central role in shaping platform portfolio strategy, helping prioritize platform opportunities and external collaborations based on scientific differentiation, translation potential, resource efficiency, and value-creation potential.

A key responsibility of the role will be to unify multidisciplinary discovery activities into a coherent and execution-focused platform organization capable of generating rapid, decision-enabling datasets that support decisions, partnering discussions, and future platform expansion.

He/she will also be responsible for the execution of external collaborations with biotech and pharma partners, ensuring these engagements deliver timely, high-quality, and actionable outcomes for Coave.

Job responsibilities

• Lead the scientific strategy, execution, and continuous evolution of ALIGATER TM platform discovery, ensuring alignment with Coave’s strategic objectives.
• In close collaboration with the CSO, translate Coave’s platform vision into executable discovery strategies and prioritized scientific roadmaps.
• Contribute to platform strategy, including prioritization of receptors, ligands, indications, and platform expansion opportunities based on scientific differentiation, translation potential, and competition/commercial relevance.
• Monitor emerging technologies, competitor programs and scientific literature to ensure Coave maintains a competitive scientific edge in targeted gene delivery.
• Design and oversee receptor identification, ligand discovery/engineering and capsid-ligand conjugation strategies, from concept through functional validation.
• Ensure platform discovery efforts produce timely, reproducible results that support prioritization, go/no go decisions, and seamless progression toward pipeline selection.
• Maintain a culture of innovation balanced with operational pragmatism, ensuring that exploratory work remains biotech-relevant, time-efficient and strategically focused.
• Integrate multidisciplinary discovery functions, establish shared priorities, consistent scientific standards, and strong cross-team communication.
• Mentor and develop scientific talent across platform discovery functions
• Collaborate closely with IP, CMC and preclinical teams to ensure that platform outputs are compatible with manufacturability, process development, and analytical feasibility constraints.
• Provide scientific leadership for external collaborations, co-defining the SOW, deliverables, and scientific expectations with the CSO, ensuring these partnerships deliver actionable outcomes to Coave.
• Manage the Platform Discovery budgets and resources.

Education

Ph.D. in molecular biology, biotechnology, virology, gene therapy or a related field

Languages

Fluent English – written and spoken

Experiences / Professional requirements

• Minimum 10 years of industry experience in gene therapy, targeted delivery, viral vector engineering or related fields.
• Proven track record of scientific leadership, including leading multidisciplinary discovery teams
• Strong experience in AAV biology and engineering required
• Demonstrated success driving platform or discovery programs from concept through in vivo validation
• Experience supporting or leading external academic and/or industry collaborations is highly preferred.
• Europe-based. Ability to be in office in Paris 2-3 days per week is preferred.
• Strong scientific judgment with the ability to combine innovation and pragmatic execution
• Excellent ability to interpret and integrate complex datasets
• Demonstrated leadership, team-building and mentoring capabilities
• Highly collaborative working style, with the ability to deliver clear, concise scientific recommendations to diverse stakeholders.
• Comfortable operating in a fast-paced, evolving biotech environment.