Drug Discovery Lead - Cell Therapy

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Objective / Purpose:

The Drug Discovery Lead (DDL) serves as a strategic leader within the Oncology Drug Discovery Unit (ODDU) and is a member of the ODDU Leadership Team reporting into the Global Head of the ODDU.
This pivotal role entails overseeing the entire drug discovery continuum, from target identification, concept validation, asset generation, and clinical positioning in collaboration with internal and external research partners and in alignment with the Oncology Therapeutic Area Unit including translation strategy.
The DDL's global strategic leadership, scientific expertise, and business acumen are essential for advancing Takeda's Oncology pipeline through early clinical proof of concept for both internal and external assets with a particular emphasis on assets leveraging innate cell therapies.

Accountabilities:

• Drive the strategic evolution, direction and leadership for an established Solid and Heme Tumor Cell Therapies team in the Oncology Drug Discovery Unit, ensuring alignment with the company's goals and objectives that deliver game-changing, highly differentiated, therapeutic opportunities for patients.
  
• Lead and manage multiple drug discovery projects, overseeing the entire drug development process from target identification to preclinical development.
  ​
• Collaborate and enable teams to collaborate with cross-functional teams, including Global Biologics, Cell Therapy Technology and Product Engine, along with other research partners within and external to Takeda.
  to develop and execute drug discovery strategies.
  ​
• Drive the identification and validation of novel approaches to maximize cell therapy platforms through the application of cutting-edge technologies and scientific approaches aligned with the iDAS (integrated disease area strategy).
  ​
• Foster a culture of innovation and scientific excellence within the drug discovery team, promoting collaboration, knowledge sharing, and continuous learning.
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• Evaluate and prioritize potential drug candidates based on scientific, medical, and commercial considerations.
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• Oversee the design and execution of experiments, data analysis, and interpretation to guide decision-making and optimize drug discovery efforts.
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• Stay abreast of the latest advancements in drug discovery, emerging technologies, and industry trends, and apply this knowledge to enhance drug discovery strategies.
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• Build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders, including academic institutions, research organizations, and industry partners.
  ​
• Provide guidance and mentorship to team members, fostering their professional growth and development.
  
• Represents Takeda externally and plays a key role in evaluating external opportunities (e.
  g.
  serve on critical pipeline-enabling partnerships
• Be an effective ambassador for the Takeda global business development brand to ensure Takeda is perceived as a 'Partner of Choice' with outside organizations, companies, etc.
  
• Create BD opportunities that meet the strategic scientific, therapeutic and commercial needs of the organization or specific Therapeutic Area (TA).
  
• Working with the CEI Therapeutic Area Leads and other key functions outside of business development, help design and implement processes for opportunity assessment and due diligence to ensure competitive superiority.
  
• Establish and maintain a broad network of relationships internally and external to Takeda; liaise effectively with other individuals in global business development and leverage the Takeda organization at large (scientists, clinicians, commercial managers in oncology and other therapeutic areas) to ensure maximal sourcing capability for the assigned area.
  
• Effectively motivates and retains top talent and, where needed, builds new expert teams
• Is recognized as an international subject matter expert and identified as a global Takeda thought leader

Education & Competencies:

• Advanced degree in health or life sciences (e.
  g.
  , Ph.
  D.
  , M.
  D.
  , D.
  V.
  M.
  ) with 15 years industry and 15 years management experience.
  
• Extensive experience in leading drug discovery teams and managing drug development projects, preferably in a pharmaceutical or biotechnology setting.
  
• Extensive experience leading multiple assets from preclinical into development
• Proven track record of successful drug discovery programs, including the identification and optimization of lead compounds.
  
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