Head, Cancer - Therapeutic Area Genetics

The Head of the Oncology Therapeutic Area of Genetics will be a member of the senior leadership team at the Regeneron Genetics Center (RGC) whose goals are the application of large-scale human genetics, genomics, and data science to identify new drug targets, guide the development of therapeutics programs, and develop predictors and classifiers of disease risk, progression, and response to interventions. Roles and responsibilities will include leading human genetics projects in oncology, with extensive partnership across preclinical research teams (Therapeutic Focus Area teams), Clinical Development, and other R&D functions at Regeneron. The role will require close partnership with RGC’s Analytical Genomics, Genome Informatics, and Clinical Informatics teams who will collaborate in the development of study designs and analysis, producing results and tools to enable interpretation and translational follow up.

Regeneron has a long standing and substantial commitment to R&D and drug development in cancer, including the successful development of LIBTAYO® (cemiplimab-rwlc), a PD1 antibody approved in multiple cancers, and multiple other approaches through internal development and external partnerships spanning immuno-oncology, angiogenesis, and other strategies. These exciting approaches include the discovery and development of additional checkpoint blockade inhibitors, antibody drug conjugates, proprietary and innovative bispecific antibody (bsAb) therapeutics platforms targeting cancer specific targets and bsAb effector arms as well as costimulatory signals, therapeutic partnerships with Adicet Bio and Bluebird Bio, and more.

The Head of the Oncology Therapeutic Area of Genetics will be responsible for continuing to build resources and new external research collaborations (bringing in samples for sequencing and molecular profiling, and acquiring access to new datasets) that will grow and strengthen RGC’s portfolio of cancer genomics projects and discovery capabilities. These include: a germline genetics program using existing RGC data assets and additionally sequencing hundreds of thousands of cancer cases; large scale projects studying clonal hematopoiesis of indeterminate potential (CHIP), myelodysplastic disorders and leukemias; immune profiling in cancer patients and cancer free individuals; tumor sequencing/genomics; development of risk scores for cancer risk and progression; pharmacogenomics with immuno-oncology programs and many more initiatives.

These responsibilities will entail leading discovery genomics research and precision medicine opportunities (i.e., genetically defined patient populations). The role will involve close partnership with preclinical, clinical, and technology center (molecular profiling, mouse genetics, etc) research teams and external collaborators collectively working towards advancing important new medicines and unlocking new areas of cancer biology. The Head will lead a team of human genetics and genomics scientists and continue to build and grow the function to meet the expanding scope and goals of the RGC and Regeneron R&D.

• Lead cancer genomics discovery projects with primary aims of discovering new drug targets and guiding the development of existing therapeutic programs (i.e., indication selection, evaluation of safety considerations, and precision medicine opportunities).
• Build a portfolio of cohorts and well-designed studies to enable broad discovery efforts across cancers. This will require identifying and bringing in new collaborations (with support from business/legal and program management functions), sequencing projects, and datasets to supplement existing RGC resources relevant to these therapeutic areas.
• Lead phenotype evaluation for potential collaborator cohorts in their therapeutic areas, as well as specifying analysis-ready phenotype datasets, and provide scientific management of collaboration projects, participating in leadership and governance of collaboration efforts.
• Partner with preclinical research teams (Therapeutic Focus Areas) at Regeneron using human genetics and genomics to identify and advance novel drug targets and important new areas of biology, and evaluate target portfolios applying human genetics to help select and prioritize the highest impact targets/development opportunities.
• Support target nominations utilizing the RGC’s human genetics capabilities and leveraging Regeneron’s extensive internal therapeutics platforms and development modalities.
• Partner with Clinical Development to evaluate clinical stage programs and opportunities for human genetics studies to aid in the selection of indications or evaluation of safety considerations.
• Collaborate on the design of “call back” clinical research studies (to be executed by Clinical Development) in individuals with genotypes of interest/relevance to development programs and interests. Provide human genetics data and evidence for various regulatory submissions.
• Collaborate with RGC Biology, VelociGene, and TFAs in nominating promising new candidate genes for in-depth target biology programs (to be conducted by the aforementioned groups) through animal modeling, biochemistry and molecular biology, etc.
• Communicate and report findings to colleagues, senior management, and external collaborators.
• Manage and grow a Therapeutic Area Genetics team consisting of clinicians, human geneticists, bioinformaticians, and other required staff. Hire, train, and develop talent and leaders.
• Develop department goals, as well as team and individual development goals. Contribute to the development of RGC goals, culture, and strategy.

• MD or PhD with strong training background and expertise in human genetics research and cancer genomics is an absolute requirement.
• Minimum of 8-10 years of leadership and managerial experience (or equivalent experience leading cross-functional and collaborative projects) and providing scientific and strategic leadership to a mid-sized team in a collaborative research organization.
• Involvement in genetic discovery efforts/projects and use of large-scale sequence data sets such as Catalogue of Somatic Mutations (COSMIC), International Cancer Genome Consortium (ICGC), The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Genomics Evidence Neoplasia Information Exchange (GENIE), and others.
• Demonstrated ability to design and lead human genetics/genomics studies and programs delivering novel genetic findings and medically relevant gene discoveries.
• Familiarity with informatics and statistical methods spanning family and Mendelian studies, genotype-phenotype association studies, and somatic tumor mutation analysis.
• Proficiency with various variant annotation and filtering tools for gene conservation, predicting deleterious or LOF mutations, etc.
• Familiarity with clinical genetics and various genetic models of disease is a must.
• Experience with multiple sequencing platforms and modalities (chip-typing, WES & WGS, Sanger, custom capture targeted sequencing, etc.) as well as other genomic profiling technologies (microarrays, RNASeq, etc.).
• Experience with molecular characterization and functional studies geared towards elucidating gene function and mechanism.

In terms of the performance and personal competencies required for the position, we would highlight the following:

Setting Strategy

• Creates and articulates an inspiring vision for the organization.
• Seeks and analyses data from a variety of sources to support decisions and to align others with the overall strategy.
• An entrepreneurial and creative approach to developing new, innovative ideas.

Executing for Results

• Sets clear and challenging goals while committing the organization to improved performance; tenacious and accountable in driving results.
• Comfortable with ambiguity and uncertainty; adapts and leads others through complex situations.
• Has a high degree of integrity and forethought in his/her approach to making decisions; acts in a transparent and consistent manner.

Does this sound like you? Apply now to take your first steps toward living the Regeneron Way! We have an inclusive and diverse culture that provides amazing benefits including health and wellness programs, fitness centers and stock for employees at all levels!
Regeneron is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion or belief (or lack thereof), sex, nationality, national or ethnic origin, civil status, age, citizenship status, membership of the Traveler community, sexual orientation, disability, genetic information, familial status, marital or registered civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity status, gender identity, gender reassignment, military or veteran status, or any other protected characteristic in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations to participate in the job application process. Please contact us to discuss any accommodations you think you may need. #REGNPSACA #MDJOBS #MDJOBSGG