Director, Business Development (West Coast & Asia)

The Director, Business Development West reports to the Vice President, Business Development and Strategy and is responsible for out-licensing and deal sourcing for the antibody discovery and ion channel screening platforms. 

This position is dedicated to ensuring OmniAb further builds its partnering and collaboration efforts. The primary objective of this role will be to further expand OmniAb’s presence in key biotech clusters on the US West Coast and in Asia to gain access to industry leaders, and enhance the reputation of OmniAb. The role will entail scouting for platform collaboration opportunities, negotiating deals, and working closely with internal scientists, legal, strategy and finance teams.

Working in Ligand’s OmniAb Group:    

The OmniAb group consists of dynamic and innovative scientists that employ a variety of novel platforms to support our partners in discovering the best antibodies possible for their therapeutic applications. At the core of OmniAb is the ability to engineer animals to generate affinity matured human sequence antibodies for use in conventional and novel therapeutic formats. We leverage our proprietary animals with state-of-the-art technology in antigen design, immunization methods and high-throughput single B cell screening to facilitate discovery of best-in-class antibodies. We are looking for accomplished team players who are enthusiastic to contribute to the technological frontier of antibody discovery, contribute to improving human health, and passionate in their desire to collaborate with partners to develop next generation therapeutics. See OmniAb.com for more details about the exciting science being performed at OmniAb.

Ligand is a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing or acquiring technologies that help pharmaceutical companies discover and develop medicines. We have contributed novel research and technologies for approved medicines that treat cancer, osteoporosis, fungal infections and postpartum depression, among others. Ligand’s previously announced spin-off of OmniAb, Inc. and merger (Business Combination) with Avista Public Acquisition Corp. II, a publicly traded special purpose acquisition company (SPAC), is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2022.

Responsibilities:

• Identify potential partners through independent, company-specific research and understanding overall industry landscape

• Develop and implement partnering strategies 

• Identify and develop new strategic collaboration opportunities to achieve scientific and corporate objectives

• Establish rapport with potential partners and deliver tailored, persistent approach to achieving licensing agreements

• Establish rapport with internal stakeholders and subject matter experts to develop depth of knowledge in platform to apply in business development settings 

• Evaluate alliance and partnership trends and provide analysis and recommendations to management

• Complete negotiations and transactions 

• Able to work independently but with the ability to lead a matrix group 

• Up to date with the latest science and literature and able to engage with our scientific teams

• Attend industry partnering meetings/scientific conferences to source leads and stay on top of industry trends

• Assist R&D team in crafting messaging and related materials for partnering presentations

• Facilitate CDAs, term sheets, license agreements and other licensing transaction documents and ensure all necessary internal stakeholders provide input

• Become potential partners point of contact through all aspects of the partnering process

• Maintain database to track partnering activities and provide regular status updates

• Contribute to other strategic initiatives as needed

• Attend outside meetings

• Domestic and International travel - up to 25%

Requirements: 

• PhD/MS in Biology, Chemistry, Physics or related discipline, or MBA combined with BS in related discipline 

• 8-10 years’ experience, with 5-7 years of client-facing business development experience in the biotech or pharma industries with a working knowledge of the structure and process around lab-based scientific collaboration business structures

• Experience with antibody-based discovery technologies a plus

• Strong business presentation and communication skills with the humbly-confident approach needed to interact with stakeholders that have a wide range of roles, experience levels and differing areas of expertise

• Ability to negotiate, assess and determine critical issues in executing deals

• Functional expertise in collaborations, business development, and project management

• Able to work independently and manage multiple relationships simultaneously

• Cross‐functional working experience in a matrix environment

• Team player with excellent communication and writing skills

• Advanced MS Excel, PowerPoint and Word skills

Benefits:

The company offers competitive benefits including Medical, Dental, Vision, Short/Long Term Disability and Life Insurance, as well as 401(k) Match, Stock Options, Bonus, and Paid Leave Time. 

Additional Information:

• All new hires are required to go through background and reference checks

• OmniAb is an EEO/AA/Disability/Vets employer

• Must be legally authorized to work in the US without sponsorship

• OmniAb celebrates the diversity of life and welcomes all individuals to apply

• New hires based in the US will be required to demonstrate that they have been fully vaccinated and boosted for COVID-19 or qualify for a medical or religious exemption or accommodation to this vaccination requirement

OmniAb, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against applicants due to race, ethnicity, gender, veteran status, or on the basis of disability or any other federal, state or local protected class.