Job Description

Director Level Global Translational Medicine role early phase Drug Development in Ophthalmology, cell/gene therapy

Astellas Pharma Inc. is a pharmaceutical company conducting business in more than 70 countries around the world. We are committed to turning innovative science into medical solutions that bring value and hope to patients and their families. Keeping our focus on addressing unmet medical needs and conducting our business with ethics and integrity enables us to improve the health of people throughout the world. For more information on Astellas, please visit our website at .

Astellas is based in Northbrook, Illinois. Remote work from certain states may be permitted in accordance with Astellas’ Responsible Flexibility Guidelines. Candidates interested in remote work are encouraged to apply.

Purpose and Scope:

Lead the development and execution of Translational Medicine strategy to advance Astellas’s Ophthalmology projects. Candidates should have deep expertise in ophthalmology, vision science, and retinal diseases and record of accomplishment in developing and executing translational strategy from late discovery through clinical development. Ability to represent the TM function and work effectively on cross-functional teams is essential to the success of this position.

Responsibilities and Accountabilities:

• Develops and executes integrated translational science and biomarker development plans and defines patient selection strategies for clinical studies
• Develops and validate biomarkers, imaging readouts, and fluid-based assays relevant to ocular diseases
• Contributes to overall development strategy and trial design, incorporating biomarker endpoints
• Leads Translational Medicine activities and collaborates cross-functionally on asset development teams
• Works with clinical team for implementation of biomarker sample collection and bioanalysis
• Drives clinical biomarker data analysis and interpretation
• Contributes to clinical documents: protocols, IBs, study reports, statistical analysis plans, publications, CSR and biomarker sections of regulatory submissions
• Leads reverse translation, so that clinical results can be used to inform development strategy
• Establishes and leads Translational Medicine focused external collaborations
• Thinks strategically and drives innovation. Evaluates and incorporates emerging technologies and approaches in cell and gene therapy development

Qualifications:

Required

• Advanced degree (PhD or MD) in ophthalmology, vision science, or a related field
• A minimum of 10 years relevant experience in drug discovery and development in biotech/pharmaceutical company or equivalent translational development experience at an academic institution.
• Broad knowledge and first-hand experience in translational development of therapeutics for ocular diseases
• Proven expertise in ocular biology, imaging technologies, and disease models
• Familiarity with ophthalmic imaging biomarkers and experience in using imaging endpoints to support decision making.
• Extensive experience in clinical biomarker assay development, qualification and clinical implementation
• Proven record of leading teams and obtaining high quality and timely results through influencing in a matrix environment
• Demonstrated success in delivering high quality clinical biomarker data to inform decisions and development strategy
• An innovative mindset with track record of incorporating new technologies in translational and biomarker research
• Strong communication skills (oral, written, and presentations), interpersonal, influencing, and overall leadership skills

Preferred:

• Deep knowledge and experience with various ocular imaging methods is highly desirable, including ocular coherence tomography (OCT), angiography, autofluorescence, fundus and vitreal photography,
• Translational development experience in Cell and Gene Therapy
• Proven track record in building and leading high-impact academic collaborations

Salary Range

$175K – $240K (NOTE: Final salary could be more or less, based on experience)

Benefits:

• Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance
• Generous Paid Time Off options, including Vacation, Sick time, plus national holidays including Heritage Days, and Summer and Winter Breaks
• 401(k) match and annual company contribution
• Company paid life insurance
• Annual Corporate Bonus and Quarterly Sales Incentive for eligible positions
• Long Term Incentive Plan for eligible positions
• Referral bonus program

Category: Translational Medicine and Strategy

Astellas is committed to equality of opportunity in all aspects of employment.

EOE including Disability/Protected Veterans

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