Associate Director, Center of External Innovation, Business Development, Rare Disease, Deal Lead

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Are you looking for a patient-focused company that will inspire you and support your career? If so, be empowered to take charge of your future at Takeda. Join us as Associate Director, Business Development Transactions in our Cambridge office.

Here, everyone matters and you will be a vital contributor to our inspiring, bold mission.

OBJECTIVE:

• The Center for External Innovation (CEI) Rare Disease Business Development (BD) team is - responsible for all Research and Development-stage BD activities for rare disease

• This position works primarily with the Therapeutic Area Unit (TAU) and Drug Discovery Unit (DDU) in Rare Disease to: (i) develop a partnering strategy that supports the TAU/DDU R&D strategies, (ii) identify and triage opportunities consistent with the agreed strategy, (iii) lead cross-functional due diligence teams to efficiently assess opportunities, and (iv) negotiate and execute deals of all types (e.g., in-licensing, research collaborations) across the R&D pipeline. This position is a critical function within this core team

• This position is viewed as the subject matter expert in Rare Disease, is a key external-facing leader for the BD team representing BD efforts in key Takeda Rare Disease focus area(s),and continuously leads short-term cross-functional teams within a matrix environment

• Will serve in an ambassador role working directly with internal and external key opinion leaders and operational leadership within CEI, Global Business Development (GBD), and Takeda R&D including Strategic Academic Alliances (SAA), and Takeda Ventures Inc. (TVI)

• This position is responsible for scouting and continually updating a comprehensive landscape of BD opportunities, and also for developing and communicating a business development strategy to identify novel mechanisms, modalities, targets and emerging science aligned with Takeda’s priorities.

• The position is responsible for transacting key priority deals aligned with therapeutic area strategy and build

ACCOUNTABILITIES:

• Proactively monitor commercial, academic, and IP landscapes for all external discovery and development-stage innovations which may be relevant to the Takeda pipeline

• Build a strong, worldwide outreach program by establishing and maintaining strong working relationships with senior management and BD groups of potential partner companies, key principal investigators and technology transfer groups at research institutions, and the venture capital investment community

• Lead scouting and partnering interactions at key conferences including JP Morgan (JPM) / Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO), Society for Neuroscience (SFN), American Association of Neurology (AAN), Digestive Disease Week (DDW), International Liver Congress (ILC, EASL, AASLD) and/or other key TA focused conferences

• Develop wide range of deal structures which meet the Company’s goals with flexibility to accommodate partners’ requirement and review/negotiate the key contractual terms by collaborating with Legal/IP team and cross-functional team

• In close partnership with the designated Business Unit (BU), TAU, and DDU leadership teams and organization at-large (e.g., scientists, clinicians, commercial managers), actively prospect for and help drive research alliances and preclinical and clinical collaborations with external parties (e.g., pharmaceutical or biotech companies, academic or not-for-profit institutions) that will enhance Takeda’s pipeline

  • Be the CEI/GBD/Takeda point of contact with the sponsoring TA and the external commercial/academic collaborators

  • Lead external scouting, technical evaluation and due diligence efforts where appropriate; lead deal negotiations and teams

  • Prepare and present scientific and business rationale for any recommendations and transaction proposals to senior management for approval

  • Identify, evaluate, and transact BD opportunities that meet the strategic scientific, therapeutic, and commercial needs of the organization

  • Negotiate on behalf of Takeda in support of in-licensing, out-licensing, co-promotions, research collaborations, etc.

• Support Takeda project teams (discovery, development, and marketing), TAI/TVI, GBD, and regional BD on partnering activities in terms of technical expertise and due diligence

• Effectively bridge breakthrough science and/or transforming technology platform opportunities with all relevant internal stakeholder groups

• Acts as a thought partner to the TAU/DDU Heads and ensures the Rare Disease BD strategy is aligned and supported. This role challenges the Leadership Teams to think innovatively when it comes to partnering with external parties

• Stays current and prepared to share Rare Disease TAU/DDU clinical developments and industry trends to small groups or large audiences of senior leaders, including maintaining a thorough knowledge of:

  • Specific TA products, platforms, targets, and therapeutic approaches

  • Industry trends and regulatory, legal, and commercial issues

  • Takeda's R&D and Commercial processes

  • Takeda’s portfolio, including gaps and strengths

• Works with the CEI Head of Rare Disease BD and other key functions outside of BD to help design and implement processes for opportunity assessment and due diligence to ensure competitive superiority

• Leads or supports business development engagements and leads or supports negotiations of transactions focusing primarily on R&D in-licensing, R&D-driven collaborations and partnerships

• Articulates Takeda's licensing goals and practices in public forums (e.g., partnering meetings, speaking engagements) and is an effective ambassador for the Takeda global BD brand to ensure Takeda is perceived as a “Partner of Choice”

EDUCATION, BEHAVIOURAL COMPETENCIES AND SKILLS:

• Ph.D., M.D. or equivalent degree is required, 10 year of post degree experience preferred, specifically post-doctoral and/or bio-pharma industry experience is strongly preferred as is training in business analytics and/or commercial discipline.

• At least 3+ years’ experience in complex and global deal negotiations along with a successful track record in sourcing BD opportunities, deal negotiations, and closures in discovery, preclinical, and commercial areas. A comprehensive deal sheet demonstrating a substantial record of executed deals is required.

• Significant experience in the Pharma/Biotech industry and particularly in the rare disease space, preferably including both preclinical and clinical drug developmentDeep understanding of drug development, approval, and commercialization processes

• Must demonstrate scientific knowledge and gravitas to hold/drive meaningful scientific discussions with industrial and academic experts and key opinion leaders in the designated TA focus

• A well-established commercial/academic network is strongly preferred along with a progressive knowledge of innovative alliance structures, industry trends, and competitive issues related to pharmaceutical business development

• A well-established scientific and business development network within the industry is strongly preferred along with a progressive knowledge of innovative alliance structures, industry trends, and competitive issues related to pharmaceutical BD

• Results-oriented, creative, self-starter with the ability to deliver high-quality deliverables on time that are appropriate for review by senior management

• Strong verbal and written communication and presentation skills

• Excellent interpersonal skills including a demonstrated ability to be effective in a matrix environment

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

• Willingness to travel to various meetings or client sites, including overnight trips

• Some international travel may be required

• Requires up to 30% travel

This position is currently classified as “hybrid” in accordance with Takeda’s Hybrid and Remote Work policy

Base Salary Range: $144,000.00 to $205,000.00, based on candidate professional experience level. Employees may also be eligible for Short Term and Long-Term Incentive benefits as well. Employees are eligible to participate in Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, 401(k), Charitable Contribution Match, Holidays, Personal Days & Vacation, Tuition Reimbursement Program and Paid Volunteer Time Off.

WHAT TAKEDA CAN OFFER YOU:

• 401(k) with company match and Annual Retirement Contribution Plan

• Tuition reimbursement Company match of charitable contributions

• Health & Wellness programs including onsite flu shots and health screenings

• Generous time off for vacation and the option to purchase additional vacation days

• Community Outreach Programs

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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Takeda is proud in its commitment to creating a diverse workforce and providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, parental status, national origin, age, disability, citizenship status, genetic information or characteristics, marital status, status as a Vietnam era veteran, special disabled veteran, or other protected veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws, and any other characteristic protected by law.

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EEO Statement

Takeda is proud in its commitment to creating a diverse workforce and providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, parental status, national origin, age, disability, citizenship status, genetic information or characteristics, marital status, status as a Vietnam era veteran, special disabled veteran, or other protected veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws, and any other characteristic protected by law.