Business Development & Partnerships

Experience: 3–8 years (flexible) · Type: Full-time, Remote (India / US / EU)

The Mission

Mandrake Bio is a protein-design company building the next generation of programmable gene-editing enzymes. Its platform designs editors from scratch, pairing generative AI with first-principles biophysics and wet-lab validation to engineer the compactness, precision, and dynamic control that the highest-impact applications in agriculture and medicine demand. Founded in 2025 and headquartered in Bengaluru, India. Learn more at mandrake.bio.

We are a VC-backed, small, high-velocity applied research lab. We don't care about credentials; we care about proof of work, first-principles thinking, and the ability to ship.

The Role

We're building foundational gene-editing technology with applications spanning therapeutics and agriculture. As one of our first business hires, you'll own how that technology reaches the world -building the partnerships, deals, and commercial relationships that turn breakthroughs into impact. This is a high-ownership, founder-adjacent role: you'll work directly with the CEO to shape commercial strategy from the ground up.

What You'll Work On

• Identify, source, and build relationships with partners across pharma/biotech and agriculture/seed - the organizations that will license, co-develop, or deploy our tools.
• Own the deal pipeline end to end: outreach, evaluation, structuring, negotiation, and close.
• Translate deep technical work into clear commercial narratives for partners, investors, and stakeholders.
• Shape commercial and go-to-market strategy alongside the founding team - pricing, licensing models, market prioritization.
• Represent Mandrake externally at conferences, partner meetings, and industry forums.
• Build the connective tissue between our science team and the market - bringing partner needs back to inform the roadmap.

You're a Great Fit If You

• Have a track record in business development, partnerships, or commercial strategy in biotech, pharma, deep tech, or agriculture/agritech.
• Can hold a credible technical conversation with scientists and a commercial one with executives - you're fluent in both.
• Are a self-starter who builds pipeline and closes deals with minimal structure around you.
• Communicate sharply, write well, and think from first principles.
• Want extreme ownership and thrive in a high-velocity, early-stage environment.

Nice to Have

• A scientific background (life sciences degree) or prior experience selling/partnering around a technical platform.
• An existing network in pharma, biotech, or the agriculture/seed industry.
• Experience with licensing, IP, or research collaboration deal structures.

To Apply: Send us a note on deals or partnerships you've driven and what you'd want to build here.

Why Mandrake

• Work on the frontier of AI × Biology - creating technologies that could redefine longevity, health, and the future of our planet.
• Join a small, high-velocity team where your ideas directly shape the company's direction and breakthroughs.
• Extremely high ownership. Own what you build end to end - from idea to deal to close.
• We operate like an applied research lab - rapid iteration, deep focus, no bureaucracy.
• Work on real problems with real impact at the edge of science and industry.
• Be part of something consequential. This isn't just another startup - it's the beginning of programmable life.

Logistics & How to Apply

Location: Remote. Open to candidates based in India, the US, or the EU - you'll work closely with the founding team in Bengaluru across time zones, with travel for partner meetings and industry events as needed.

We care about proof of work, not credentials. We encourage you to apply even if you don't meet every single qualification.

Apply Here · or write to careers@mandrakebio.com