Global Therapeutic Research Lead, Oncology – Biologics

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Global Therapeutic Research Lead, Oncology – Biologics Focus

Are you a biotech or pharma executive ready to shape the future of oncology drug discovery—particularly in the rapidly evolving field of biologics? As a key member of Takeda’s Oncology Drug Discovery Unit (ODDU) Leadership Team, the Global Therapeutic Research Lead (GTRL) will set the vision for next-generation oncology discovery. This leader is accountable for discovering and advancing differentiated biologics therapies by translating deep understanding of tumor and immune biology into clinically meaningful results for patients.

You will champion the integration of AI/ML-driven approaches and future-forward ways of working, ensuring ODDU remains at the forefront of scientific innovation and patient impact.

In this highly visible role, you will define the biologics drug discovery strategy for transformative oncology medicines and represent Takeda at the highest levels across scientific, strategic, and external forums. The GTRL ensures that strategies for biologics drug discovery are fully integrated across the ODDU portfolio and leveraged to accelerate high impact programs.

Key Responsibilities & Accountabilities-

Scientific & Strategic Leadership (Discovery to IND)

The GTRL serves as a critical pipeline leader, responsible for shepherding Takeda’s most promising biologics oncology programs from discovery through IND. You will:

• Ensure all programs have strong mechanistic rationale, clear differentiation hypotheses, and clinical line of sight.
• Integrate AI/ML and digital approaches into biologics drug discovery and help shape ODDU’s long-term research vision.
• Continuously assess the external oncology landscape to inform strategy and guide biologics portfolio evolution.
• Uphold scientific excellence, operational rigor, urgency, and a culture of innovation and high-quality decision making.
• Extensive experience with bringing biologic drugs to IND in oncology. These include multi-specific antibodies, immune modulators, Fc- or payload-driven formats, and tumor-targeted therapies.
• Guide modality selection based on biology, mechanism, and clinical need.

Program Leadership & Execution

• Own early asset strategy and lead cross-functional program teams from discovery through IND.
• Advance biologics programs through key milestones, including development candidate nomination and IND-enabling activities.
• Manage external partnerships to support high-confidence IND submissions and a sustainable research engine.
• Develop and communicate integrated program strategies across internal and external stakeholders.

People Leadership & Organizational Impact

• Mentor emerging scientific and operational leaders; develop biologics drug discovery capabilities across the organization.
• Foster a culture that encourages scientific rigor, constructive challenge, continuous learning, and urgency to advance impactful medicines patients.
• Contribute to enterprise-level research initiatives and shape a broader organizational strategy.

External Engagement & Partnerships

• Represent Takeda and ODDU across academic, biotech, industry, and business development forums.
• Strengthen external collaborations that enhance innovation in biologics drug discovery and accelerate program execution.
• Participate in evaluating external innovation opportunities, including partnerships, collaborations, in-licensing, and acquisitions.

Portfolio Leadership & Decision Making

• Own progression, prioritization, and termination decisions for oncology biologics programs based on rigorous data-driven criteria.
• Promote early discontinuation of non-differentiated or insufficiently validated programs to maintain a high-impact research engine.
• Contribute to enterprise-level portfolio governance, strategic investment decisions, and long-range planning.

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