Sr. Scientist, Therapeutic Modality Innovation

COMPANY DESCRIPTION

Santen is a specialized pharmaceutical company focused exclusively on ophthalmology in global markets around the world with more than 4,000 employees and sales in approximately 60 countries. Santen Inc., located in Emeryville, CA, contributes important ophthalmic research and development efforts worldwide and is home to our regional business teams. This office currently employs about 140 people and will grow by 50%+ in the near future.

With the passionate support of our Japanese parent company and its 130-year heritage, Santen is pursuing intellectually-challenging and stimulating work to deliver game-changing therapies that make hope a reality for people facing vision impairment and loss.

We are driven by and committed to our mission. Additionally, our Corporate Strategy has provided essential focus for new commercialization efforts that will be fueled through an unprecedented increase in marketing investment and talent acquisition across Marketing, Sales, and R&D teams.

We are in search of top talent to help us meet our aggressive and important goals.

ABOUT THE POSITION:

Santen Incorporated seeks a Senior Scientist, Therapeutic Modality Innovation in Emeryville, California to responsible for developing modalities such as small molecules, biologics, gene therapy, stem cell-based therapeutics to treat ophthalmic diseases, with a final intent to seek marketing approval and treating patients.

MAJOR DUTIES OF POSITION:

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND KEY DELIVERABLES:

• As part of Santen’s Research & Development, Therapeutic Modality Innovation (TMI) team is responsible for developing modalities such as small molecules, biologics, gene therapy, stem cell-based therapeutics to treat ophthalmic diseases, with a final intent to seek marketing approval and treating patients.
• As a Senior Scientist in TMI, the person will manage complex multinational collaborations for the design, production and development of New Biologic Entities for Neuroprotection in Glaucoma and retinal disorders like Age Related Macular Degeneration, Diabetic Retinopathy, Geographic Atrophy etc.
• Investigate and evaluate gene and stem cell therapies that are presented by outside organizations and identify appropriate targets that address specific disease pathology.
• Design relevant experimental study plan and develop thorough scientific protocols based on extensive literature review and translate to internal and external collaborators.
• Repurpose existing new biologic entities for uses other than ophthalmology (where applicable) and helping out-license the molecule to third parties.
• Manage external vendors developing new molecules by providing direction, setting expectations and engaging in active trouble shooting during the development process.
• Coordinate small-scale manufacturing and testing activities with CROs and Testing Labs.
• Maintain project specific budgets and provide input for development of department budgets. Present research proposal and progress reports to Santen’s R&D management and seek approvals to advance the projects.
• Establish strategic collaborations/ partnerships with companies utilizing their proprietary technologies for development of Santen’s research pipeline.
• Perform scientific evaluation of new business opportunities and academic collaborations to build a robust ophthalmology portfolio.
• Generate intellectual property that protects Santen’s molecules’ development cycle and commercial life.

REQUIREMENTS:

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Ph.D. degree or foreign equivalent in Endocrinology, Biology, Biochemistry, Molecular Pharmacology or in related Life Sciences field and three (3) years experience in pharmaceutical research scientist role.
• Special Requirements: Experience with:
• molecular techniques utilized in a variety of fields including Stem Cell biology;
• identifying and characterizing the molecular mechanisms that affect the nervous system;
• analysis of developing neuronal and glial precursors in culture; neural stem cells;
• analysis of mutant mice; genetic analysis of both mouse and human DNA samples; molecular biology, cell biology and biochemical approaches to understanding gene function;
• inter and intra cellular pathways under normal and disease conditions; and
• testing medicinal properties of chemicals/drugs as applied to mechanism of action in the treatment of human diseases.