---
title: 'Associate Director, Translational Medicine at Atrium Therapeutics'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/associate-director-translational-medicine-atrium-therapeutics-san-diego-ct34y2jzjtwy'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-09-11'
---

# Associate Director, Translational Medicine at Atrium Therapeutics

- **Company:** Atrium Therapeutics
- **Location:** San Diego, CA
- **Employment:** full-time
- **Work type:** onsite
- **Posted:** 2026-08-07
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-11
- **Apply:** https://jobs.lever.co/atrium-therapeutics/42a8561c-40ed-48d4-98e5-7599eef69e7e

## Job description

Atrium is a biopharmaceutical company pioneering delivery of RNA therapeutics to the heart to transform the standard of care for people living with cardiomyopathies. Our proprietary technology leverages the targeted RNA delivery platform initially designed at Avidity, which combines the tissue selectivity of mAbs and other targeted delivery ligands with the precision of oligonucleotides. This unique combination is designed to allow selective targeting of the underlying genetic drivers of disease that were previously undruggable. Through targeted, non-viral delivery of siRNA to cardiac tissues, our approach has the potential to overcome key limitations of nonspecific viral and nanoparticle-based delivery systems, including challenges related to tissue specificity, immunogenicity, and redosing. Position Overview: We are seeking an experienced, strategic Associate Director to lead Atrium's Translational Medicine function, spanning both clinical biomarker strategy and bioinformatics. This is a newly created position that will be accountable for all aspects of biomarker strategy and execution, including, biomarker identification, assay development, validation, and clinical execution to inform target engagement, mechanism of action, and disease-progression endpoints across our genetically defined cardiomyopathy pipeline, including PRKAG2 syndrome and PLN cardiomyopathy. The Associate Director also oversees the bioinformatics function, which supports computational and data-analysis needs across the broader R&D organization. The Associate Director represents Translational Medicine on cross-functional clinical project teams and manages a growing team of biomarker and bioinformatics scientists. Responsibilities: Define,develop and lead the clinical biomarker strategy across Atrium's cardiomyopathy programs; oversee execution, interpretation, and incorporation of biomarker endpoints into overall clinical development plans Direct the discovery and development of tissue and circulating biomarkers (protein, nucleic acid, and metabolic) supporting target engagement, mechanism of action, and translational endpoints from pilot stage through clinical readiness Oversee development, optimization, and fit-for-purpose/analytical validation of clinical biomarker assays; manage transfer and validation of lead assays at CRO partners for clinical trial implementation Accountable for clinical biomarker operations, including sample logistics, data quality, analysis, and interpretation across clinical studies; partner with biostatistics and bioinformatics to translate complex, multi-modal datasets into actionable insight for program teams Serve as the Translational Medicine representative on clinical project teams, ensuring biomarker strategy aligns with clinical study design, patient selection, and overall program development plans Contribute biomarker strategy, rationale, and data to clinical study protocols, informed consent forms (ICFs), clinical study reports (CSRs), and other regulatory submission documents Lead the publication plan and conference presentation strategy for translational and biomarker data, in collaboration with Medical Affairs and Clinical Development Oversee the bioinformatics function supporting biomarker data analysis and interpretation, as well as broader computational needs across the R&D organization; ensure rigorous, reproducible analytical standards Manage, mentor, and develop junior scientists within the Translational Medicine function, building team capability and a collaborative, high-performing culture Education and Experience Requirements: PhD in Cardiovascular Biology, Molecular Biology, Physiology, or a related field 8+ years of relevant biopharma/biotech experience in biomarker development, including significant experience leading clinical biomarker strategy and operations; cardiovascular and/or rare genetic disease experience highly preferred Prior experience managing and developing junior scientific staff; demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional initiatives in a matrixed organization Deep expertise in biomarker assay development and fit-for-purpose/analytical validation (e.g., high-sensitivity ELISA, MSD, Simoa, qPCR/ddPCR, LC-MS, Olink); experience overseeing CRO-based assay transfer and validation for clinical use Experience contributing biomarker content to clinical study protocols, ICFs, CSRs, or other regulatory documents; working knowledge of GCP/GCLP and clinical sample-handling requirements Strong publication record with experience developing publication plans and conference presentation strategy Highly adaptable to a small-company/startup environment, comfortable with ambiguity, and a proactive, hands-on problem-solver What We Provide: The base salary range for this role is $185,000-$205,000. The final compensation will be commensurate with such factors as relevant experience, skillset, internal equity and market factors. Atrium offers competitive compensation and benefits which include stock options & RSUs, as well as a 401(k) with an employer match. In addition, the comprehensive wellness program includes coverage for medical, dental, vision, LTD, and unlimited of time off including summer & winter breaks. A commitment to learning and development which includes a variety of programming internally developed by and for Atrium employees, opportunities for job-specific training offered by industry, and an education reimbursement program.

## About Atrium Therapeutics

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: Atrium Therapeutics is a biopharmaceutical company pioneering the delivery of RNA therapeutics directly to the heart muscle to transform the standard of care for people living with cardiomyopathies.
- **Entity Type**: Private (startup stage, not yet publicly traded; no funding rounds publicly disclosed)
- **Headquarters**: San Diego, California, United States
- **Founded**: 2026
- **Founders**: Not explicitly listed; the company was formed by a team of former executives from Avidity Biosciences and other biotech firms, led by CEO Kathleen Gallagher.

## Core Business
- **Primary industry**: Biotechnology – RNA therapeutics for cardiovascular diseases (precision cardiology).
- **Target customers**: Patients with rare cardiomyopathies (PLN cardiomyopathy, PRKAG2 syndrome), healthcare providers, and payers (B2B/B2C through drug development and eventual commercialization).
- **Mission statement**: “Pioneer the delivery of RNA therapeutics to the heart to transform the standard of care for people living with cardiomyopathies.”

## Products & Services
- **ATR 1072**: Development candidate for PRKAG2 syndrome (rare cardiomyopathy). Preclinical/early clinical stage.
- **ATR 1086**: Development candidate for PLN (phospholamban) cardiomyopathy. Preclinical/early clinical stage.
- **Undisclosed pipeline**: Two additional research-stage targets in rare cardiomyopathies.
- **Technology Platform**: Proprietary RNA delivery platform based on the clinically validated AOC (Antibody-Oligonucleotide Conjugate) technology, originally designed at Avidity Biosciences. Combines the tissue selectivity of monoclonal antibodies with the precision of oligonucleotides to deliver siRNA directly to cardiac tissue, overcoming challenges with immunogenicity, cytotoxicity, and redosing limitations.

## Market Standing
- **Valuation/Market Cap**: Not disclosed (private company; no public funding rounds reported).
- **Key Metric**: Headcount of 41 employees (as of mid-2026), with 5.7% monthly growth; 28 employees recruited from Avidity Biosciences.
- **Notable Investors/Partners**: No specific investors or partnerships disclosed publicly. The company’s “Investors” page is a placeholder.
- **Growth Signals**: Founded in 2026; rapid team building with deep expertise from Avidity, Ionis, Biogen, etc.; two lead candidates in development for high‑unmet‑need cardiomyopathies; 4,200+ LinkedIn followers with +4.2% monthly growth.

## Competitive Advantages
- **Proprietary cardiac RNA delivery platform** that targets heart muscle with high specificity – a key differentiator from viral and nanoparticle delivery systems.
- **Clinically validated technology** originally developed at Avidity Biosciences, reducing technical risk.
- **Focus on underserved rare cardiomyopathies** with no approved therapies (PLN, PRKAG2), offering potential for rapid regulatory pathways (orphan drug designation).
- **Experienced leadership team** with track record in RNA therapeutics, rare disease drug development, and commercialization (Akcea, Ionis, Biogen, Avidity).

## Strategic Focus
- **Advance two lead candidates** (ATR 1072, ATR 1086) through preclinical and into clinical trials.
- **Expand the pipeline** with additional undisclosed targets in rare cardiomyopathies.
- **Build out the organization**, particularly in translational medicine, process development, and quality assurance (as evidenced by current job postings).
- **Leverage the AOC platform** to potentially address broader cardiac indications beyond the initial rare disease focus.

## Why Work Here
- **Cutting‑edge science**: Opportunity to work on a novel RNA delivery platform with the potential to transform cardiology.
- **Small, agile team** (~41 employees) allows for high impact and visibility across functions.
- **Founding team from Avidity Biosciences** brings deep domain expertise and a proven track record in RNA therapeutics.
- **Location**: Onsite roles in San Diego, California (Science Center Drive), a major biotech hub.
- **Current open roles** include:
  - Scientist II, Translational Medicine (San Diego, onsite)
  - Senior Director, AOC Process Development & Manufacturing – Oligonucleotide (San Diego)
  - Senior Director, Head of Quality Assurance (San Diego)
  - Manager, Accounting (from LinkedIn)
- **Culture**: The company’s website emphasizes a commitment to patients with high unmet need, a collaborative environment, and a passion for precision medicine.
- **Perks**: Not explicitly stated, but typical biotech early‑stage includes equity, competitive compensation, and the chance to shape a young company’s culture.

## Sources
1. [Atrium Therapeutics - Homepage](https://atriumtherapeutics.com/)
2. [Atrium Therapeutics - About Page](https://atriumtherapeutics.com/about/)
3. [Atrium Therapeutics - Investors Page](https://investors.atriumtherapeutics.com/overview)
4. [Atrium Therapeutics - Careers Page](https://atriumtherapeutics.com/careers/)
5. [LinkedIn - Atrium Therapeutics](https://www.linkedin.com/company/atrium-therapeutics)

## Other roles at Atrium Therapeutics

- [Associate Director, Supply Chain & Logistics](https://feeny.ai/job/associate-director-supply-chain-logistics-atrium-therapeutics-san-diego-31w7rn8e081j) — San Diego, CA
- [Manager, Development Sciences Operations](https://feeny.ai/job/manager-development-sciences-operations-atrium-therapeutics-san-diego-fkc4aevv610b) — San Diego, CA
- [Research Associate (Contract)](https://feeny.ai/job/research-associate-contract-atrium-therapeutics-san-diego-84w1pwtnp1nq) — San Diego, CA