Title: Director of Drug Discovery
Location: Boston, MA
Company Overview:
Our client is a leading global pharmaceutical company at the forefront of biologics-based drug discovery, focusing on innovative therapeutic solutions in inflammation, autoimmune diseases, gastrointestinal disorders, and neuroscience.
Role Summary:
We are seeking a Director of Drug Discovery to lead functional screening and characterization of biologic drug candidates, including bispecific antibodies, cell therapies, and BiTEs. This role is a critical leadership position within the drug discovery team, reporting into the Global Head of Drug Discovery within the R&D division, reporting directly to the Global Head of Drug Discovery. The successful candidate will play a pivotal role in advancing therapeutic candidates through in vitro assays to support early-stage development and pipeline progression.
Key Responsibilities:
Lead the design, execution, and interpretation of functional screening and characterization assays for biologic drug candidates.
Drive in vitro pharmacology efforts to assess potency, specificity, and mechanism of action of therapeutic candidates.
Collaborate cross-functionally with discovery biology, protein engineering, and translational teams to refine lead selection and optimization.
Develop and implement robust in vitro assays to support drug discovery, including cell-based functional assays, immunoassays, and high-throughput screening approaches.
Provide scientific and strategic leadership to a team of scientists, fostering innovation and technical excellence.
Guide decision-making through data-driven insights and ensure alignment with broader discovery objectives.
Stay at the forefront of emerging technologies and methodologies in biologics discovery and functional screening.
Contribute to external collaborations, publications, and presentations in the field of biologics drug discovery.
Key Qualifications:
Ph.D. in immunology, cell biology, pharmacology, or related discipline with 8+ years of experience in drug discovery, ideally in biologics (bispecifics, cell therapies, BiTEs).
Proven track record in leading in vitro pharmacology efforts for biologic candidates.
Strong expertise in cell-based assays, functional screening, and characterization of biologics.
Experience working in inflammation, autoimmune diseases, GI, or neuroscience therapeutic areas preferred.
Demonstrated leadership and team management experience in an industry setting.
Excellent collaboration and communication skills to drive cross-functional partnerships.
This is an exciting opportunity for a scientific leader to make a meaningful impact on the development of innovative biologic therapies in a dynamic and fast-paced biotech environment.
