Sr. Director/Associate General Counsel, Business Development

Daiichi Sankyo Group is dedicated to the creation and supply of innovative pharmaceutical therapies to improve standards of care and address diversified, unmet medical needs of people globally by leveraging our world-class science and technology. With more than 100 years of scientific expertise and a presence in more than 20 countries, Daiichi Sankyo and its 15,000 employees around the world draw upon a rich legacy of innovation and a robust pipeline of promising new medicines to help people. Under the Group’s 2025 Vision to become a “Global Pharma Innovator with Competitive Advantage in Oncology,” Daiichi Sankyo is primarily focused on providing novel therapies in oncology, as well as other research areas centered around rare diseases and immune disorders.

Summary

The Sr. Director/Associate General Counsel, Business Development will be responsible for providing legal counsel to Daiichi Sankyo's Global Business Development department. This position will handle all legal aspects of licensing, promotion/co-promotion, development/co-development, co-marketing and acquisitions agreements (among other types of agreements) in the pharmaceutical and companion diagnostic fields, including drafting, negotiating and reviewing such agreements for U.S., global and ex-U.S. territories.

Responsibilities

- Handles, and is accountable for, all legal aspects of licensing (in/out), co-promotion/co-development, strategic/financial investment (e.g. venture funds), companion diagnostic, academic research organization (ARO) and acquisition deals, including CDAs, due diligence, regulatory filings (e.g., Hart-Scott-Rodino), term sheet and contract negotiation. Advises Head of Global Business Development and senior management (including colleagues from parent company) regarding legal and regulatory aspects of major issues involving licensing and related transactions. Such transactions may be global, US-only, ex-U.S. only, or intra-company arrangements. Negotiates, drafts and comments on such agreements. Supervises outside counsel in cases where outside counsel participates in negotiation and drafting. Will at times be the lead attorney for highly complex acquisitions/divestitures, licensing (in/out), co-promotion/co-development, and strategic/financial investment (e.g. venture funds) agreements. In addition, will independently work as lead attorney for other complex agreements, including contract research organization (CRO) agreement transactions, supply agreements and clinical trial collaboration agreements with commercial pharmaceutical/biotech companies, when led by Global Business Development.
- Handles, and is accountable for, all legal aspects of relationship management for U.S. and Global relationship with key marketing and development partners, including, as requested, all relevant departments in DS Group companies. Legal aspects of relationship management to include contract amendments, legal interpretations and counsel and creation of process/ways of working documents to facilitate collaboration between parties and negotiations of three-party agreements.
- Provides legal services to Companion Diagnostics and other groups, as appropriate, on all legal issues related to companion diagnostic agreements while embracing change of a rapidly evolving technology and at all times maintaining a customer focus.
- Provides full legal services to Global Business Development department, including External Scientific Affairs, and related departments at parent company in Tokyo. Coordinates with parent company Legal Department, as appropriate. Maintains ongoing relationships with these departments. Maintains awareness of operations of these departments and self-initiates legal projects for the IP Business Development Department where appropriate. Having a results-oriented and innovative mindset is key to being able to perform this responsibility competently.
- Keeps track of ongoing changes in the laws, regulations and enforcement practices of governmental authorities having jurisdiction over U.S. and Global pharmaceutical business development transactions, which present significant financial risks and potential criminal liability to a pharmaceutical company. Briefs V.P. IP Business Development, Head of Global Business Development, Tokyo Legal Department, and other senior management in US and Tokyo regarding same.
- Provides legal services to External Scientific Affairs on early-stage opportunities (often in conjunction with RD departments). This primarily includes overseeing and being accountable for all legal aspects of material transfer agreements (MTAs), pre-clinical research agreements and ARO agreements and legal review of CDAs.

Qualifications: Successful candidates will be able to meet the qualifications below with or without a reasonable accommodation.

Education Qualifications (from an accredited college or university)

- JD from Law School of recognized standing and NJ State Bar Admission (or qualified to be admitted as limited in-house NJ attorney) required Experience Qualifications

- 10 or More Years post-law school experience, required
- 7 or More Years pharmaceutical industry experience, particularly in drafting and negotiating licensing, promotion and development deals, including global transactions. required
- Relevant in-house corporate and/or non-litigation experience required

Travel

Ability to travel up to 10% Travel includes approximately 2 week long trips to Japan each year.

Daiichi Sankyo, Inc. is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.