Head - External R&D Innovation - Pfizer - Tokyo

Job description

Responsibilities
1. Contribute to, in partnership with ERDI/BD team members and colleagues from WRD Research Units (RU) and Partnering Lines(PL), the definition and implementation of overall strategy in accessing emerging sciences, R&D technology platforms and therapeutic products in Asia in general, and in Japan in particular

2. Lead, in strong partnership with colleagues in Pfizer Asia country Business Units, Pfizer Japan Development Team and Pfizer WRD Japan DSRD team, the build-up and utilization of research, medical, and industry networks in Japan to target innovative opportunities in disease areas of interests to Pfizer, by

- Developing and maintaining strong networks with key Japanese academic, biotech partners, pharma & VC partners as well as government funding agencies
- Developing an in-depth understanding of gaps, unique IP space, intellectual strength, talent pool, market needs and external funding opportunities in Japan for drug discovery and development
- Providing regular landscape survey reports to summarize progress, strength and weakness of key players in various areas critical to biotech and therapeutics in Japan
- Working with Head of ERDI Asia Pacific and Head of Pfizer Japan Development to define and implement a strategy enabling Pfizer to access the best sciences, technologies and innovative therapeutics originated from Japan
- Creating awareness among potential partners about Pfizer R&D needs and partnering interests
- Promoting private & public partnerships in biomedical research and drug discovery and proactively influencing regional & government investment strategies

3. Providing on ground technical & operational leadership to ensure effective scouting, high quality assessment, and strategic integration of opportunities, by working closely with key internal stakeholders (e.g. ERDI, BD, RU and PL colleagues) by:

- Building and maintaining a process to enable the evaluation & integration of outstanding merging opportunities by key WRD Research Units or Partnering Lines
- Ensuring information on opportunities be processed (e.g., deposited in a database) and screened for strategic fit and relevance
- Assisting timely review of information received on external opportunities including partner lines as appropriate
- Providing feedback to and follow up with external partners (e.g., decline, request/discuss further information) and while keeping partner lines informed and/or involved as appropriate
- Enabling high quality joint research proposals between potential academic partners and Pfizer WRD project teams
- Ensuring high and consistent quality of documentation and presentation regarding external opportunities to key stakeholders and senior management
- Ensuring compliance by external partners through joint efforts with Asia BD and Legal colleagues
- Enabling timely transfer to and from external partners of research protocol and reagents to allow success execution of joint projects
- Organizing regular project meetings with both internal and external partners and maintaining timely progress reports/updates
- Pro-actively managing collaborative projects by anticipating potential technical hurdles, trouble shooting in real time with external partners and linking to key internal tech experts

4. Incumbent will have additional responsibilities on an 'as needed basis', including but not limited to: Support opportunity scouting activities in Asia regions outside Japan (such as China, Hong Kong, Korea and Taiwan); Consolidate the R&D perspective on post Proof-of-Concept and Regional Licensing, strategic R&D partnership and Merger/Acquisition opportunities; Provide scientific/clinical expertise to relevant Pfizer business functions in Asia (including, but not limited to, Clinical, Commercial, Business Development, Project Management, Legal)

5. Accountable for operational excellence, including consistency and transparency of all processes among partner lines with the goal to build consensus support for opportunities and ensure high and consistent quality of documentation and presentation to internal stake holders and senior management for decision making. This includes i) the provision of scientific/clinical expertise and education as necessary to key partner lines within Pfizer (including, but not limited to, Research, Clinical, Commercial, Business Development, Project Management, Legal), ii) tracking progress/impact of funded research, and iii) regular updates of the group's progress.

6. Pro-actively contributes in rendering Pfizer the preferred partner of choice with R&D communities in Japan in particular and Asia in general and represents Pfizer to external partners and maintain a professional environment during the initial contact as well as continued discussions and negotiations. Represents Pfizer at conferences as well as scientific and other business-related meetings as required (including presentations).

Qualifications
- PhD, MD, or MD/PhD in life sciences, medicine, chemistry of biotechnologies

- 12+ yrs of postdoctoral experience with at least 7+ years working experience and leadership roles in pharmaceutical and/or biotech companies

- Strong knowledge, hands-on experiences and leadership roles in the discovery and development of innovative therapeutics and a thorough understanding of the entire R&D drug development process, current on market trends and cutting edge developments in the industry

- Experienced in scientific exchange with bench scientists and senior level management of external companies

- Drug hunting experience consisting of extensive business knowledge and relevant collaboration/licensing/acquisition experience

- Effective communication skills (written and oral in English; Japanese a plus but not a must) and ability to articulate scientific results are required

- Familiarity with Japanese biomedical research communities and a track record in operating in Japan independently and productively in opportunity scouting and relationship managing are preferred

- Experience in business operations is a plus

- Ability to work in flexible working hours to accommodate the needs of a global working team spanning multiple time zones

- Require moderate amount of travel - mostly within Japan and occasional internationally

Enter your email address:

Refer This Job To Your Friends And Help Them To Find Jobs!