VP Business Development

COMPANY OVERVIEW:
Avidity Biosciences, Inc.'s mission is to profoundly improve people's lives by delivering a new class of RNA therapeutics – starting with Antibody Oligonucleotide Conjugates (AOCs). Avidity's proprietary AOCs are designed to combine the specificity of monoclonal antibodies with the precision of oligonucleotide therapies to target the root cause of diseases previously untreatable with RNA therapeutics. The company is laying the foundation to become a fully integrated biotech that discovers, develops and commercializes AOCs and other therapeutics that unlock the potential of RNA therapies to treat a wide range of serious diseases currently lacking adequate treatment options.
Avidity’s work is grounded in its BeAVID values - Agile, Visionary, Integrated and Diverse. These values are inherent to all aspects of how employees get things done and work together. The company recognizes that the success of the business depends on the excellence of its people. The current team is made up of agile innovators, creators, and discoverers that built the AOC science from the ground up. Their work is blazing a new trail in oligonucleotide-based therapies to revolutionize RNA therapeutics and challenge the status quo. Avidity is continuing to build a team of diverse individuals who are intellectually curious, disciplined, and driven to support the patients that it serves.
The company has deep experience with oligonucleotide therapeutics, modulation of RNA processes, antibody engineering and conjugation, and drug delivery techniques which provide the foundation for their efforts to address some of the key limitations of oligonucleotide therapies. The know-how and proprietary technology born out of this experience, and their systematic application in the design and development of product candidates, forms the basis of Avidity’s AOC platform.
Avidity's lead product candidate, AOC 1001, is designed to treat myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1). The first participants in the Phase 1/2 MARINA trial of AOC 1001 were dosed late in 2021. Its advancing and expanding pipeline also includes programs in facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD), Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD), muscle atrophy and Pompe disease. The company is planning for AOC 1044, the lead of three programs for the treatment of DMD, and its AOC FSHD program, AOC 1022, to enter the clinic in 2022. Avidity is also broadening the reach of AOCs beyond muscle tissues through both internal discovery efforts and key partnerships as the company continues to deliver on the RNA revolution.
Avidity Biosciences (RNA) is a publicly traded company listed on NASDAQ and is headquartered in San Diego, CA.
POSITION OVERVIEW:
The Vice President of Business Development is a key member of the leadership team and will be responsible for leading a business development function that supports the long-term objectives, mission, and vision of Avidity Biosciences. This position will focus on business planning and strategic partnering for assets of the company, assessing both in-licensing and out-licensing opportunities to support the company’s strategy.
The ideal candidate will have: (i) a knowledge of rare diseases in order to represent the company externally; (ii) proven skills and ability to execute the company’s business development strategy based on sound business judgement; (iii) a solid understanding of the company’s platform technology with a proven ability to work well with colleagues and external advisors; (iv) strong negotiating skills with a successful track record of completing deals with large pharmaceutical partners, on a global basis, and integrating / managing collaborations with the appropriate alliance management governance, (v) superior analytical skills and keen interest to best identify opportunities, and execute strategic alliances and/or collaborations and (vi) experience managing a team.
The Vice President of Business Development will ensure that the business development strategy is completely aligned with the company’s corporate objectives and strategy as developed and approved by the company’s board of directors. A proven ability to work with and communicate with his/her peers across all areas of the business is essential.
Being resourceful and able to thrive in a small but rapidly growing company environment is a key component of this position.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
•Business Development Leadership: Further develop and execute a detailed,comprehensive and forward-looking business development vision, strategy, directionand set of goals for the Business Development function that are aligned with the nearand long-term objectives of the company. Ability to lead a team and ensure that theteam is executing the goals of the Business Development function.
•Business Development Operations: (i) Lead, manage, and direct the execution ofdetailed and comprehensive business development activities including due diligence,analysis, understanding and articulation of recommendations and assessments for avariety of strategic and new business initiatives as well as potential strategic alliances orcollaborations, (ii) competitive intelligence data gathering and analysis, monitoring andtargeting of potential assets via strategic alliance or collaborations and other potentialassets via strategic alliance or collaborations; leading the evaluation of ad-hoc strategicprojects, conducting secondary scientific and market research, negotiating deals aligned
to Avidity’s corporate strategy, and presenting them for review by senior management and the Board, (iii) oversee all business planning activities including economic assessment, competitive landscape, strategic fit, revenue modeling and financial valuation and other supporting analyses for specific opportunities, and (iv) liaise with key functional leaders across the business to develop strategy, execute diligence, and manage integration and growth opportunities.
•Business Development Communications: Communicate a clear vision for the Companyto potential strategic partners. Develop and maintain excellent key stakeholderrelationships through participation at conferences and a variety of other networkingactivities
•Business Development Transactions: Structure, negotiate and finalize transactionsconsistent with leadership team and Board approval
•Alliance Management: Work effectively internally with the Alliance management groupto ensure positive relationships with key external constituencies including peers atexisting and target alliance partners, and other advisors are working smoothly. Developand manage the appropriate hands-on alliance management structure to support duediligence efforts, and integration activities through the duration of the collaboration onan as needed basis
•Management Advisor: Serve as a business advisor to the Board and executive team onall matters related to all business development opportunities
•Operating Complexity: Be comfortable and highly competent in providing strong insightin a complex global operating environment, inclusive of development pathways,legal/patent nuance, and novel research
•Other Corporate Initiatives: Assist with other key marketing and communicationinitiatives, and perform other duties as assigned
•Will be responsible for building and leading the business development group asappropriate
REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS:
The Vice President of Business Development will report directly to Michael MacLean, Chief Financial and Chief Business Officer. This position will be a key member of the leadership team and will also be the principal representative for Avidity’s partnering and business development initiatives externally. QUALIFICATIONS: Education/Experience: The ideal candidate will offer:
•Bachelor’s Degree in Business or Science with at least 10+ years of relevant industryexperience in biotech/pharma; a background in science is a must and an MBA is a plus.Must have a demonstrated ability to quickly understand new science and technology
• A positive reputation in the biopharmaceutical industry, as well as a deep network of strong relationships within leading biopharmaceutical companies is essential
• Track record of deal search, evaluating, negotiating, closing and integrating business development deals -transaction experience with a variety of deal structures is desired (in-licensing, out-licensing, JV/partnering)
• Must be comfortable and effective rolling up the sleeves and personally performing most activities in the business development cycle
• Demonstrated analytical and financial modeling capabilities
• Strong work ethic with expectation of excellence from self and others. Must have high personal credibility and outstanding written communication skills
• Strong interpersonal and presentation skills, good judgment, and ability to communicate with a diverse range of individuals; must be persuasive, and strong at building relationships
• Adaptable, flexible, independent, and resourceful with ability to multi-task in order to thrive and lead in smaller and growing company environments
• Self-starter who works with a sense of urgency and functions as a strong team player effectively working with other disciplines
• Big and small company experience preferred
• Willingness to travel as needed to support a variety of Company initiatives