Director Inflammatory Disease Drug Discovery - Immunology

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At Takeda, we are a forward‑looking, world‑class R&D organization that unlocks innovation and delivers transformative therapies to patients. By focusing R&D efforts on three therapeutic areas and other targeted investments, we push the boundaries of what is possible to bring life‑changing therapies to patients worldwide.

The GI‑Drug Discovery Unit at Takeda is a team of experienced, innovative and collaborative drug discovery scientists building an industry‑leading portfolio of drugs for inflammatory and GI diseases with high unmet medical need. We are seeking a leader with significant experience in building and leading biology and cross‑functional drug discovery teams to establish a new group focused on chronic autoimmune diseases.

Director Inflammatory Drug Discovery

• Develop industry‑leading therapeutics for patients with inflammatory diseases by leading a research group focused on drug development from target identification through to candidate selection.
• Recruit, retain, and develop a large team of world‑class, highly innovative in vitro and in vivo research biologists focused on understanding the molecular, cellular and organ‑level drivers of inflammatory disease processes, and identifying and developing drug candidates.
• Serve as scientific research thought leader within the Drug Discovery Unit (DDU), working within a highly matrixed environment to build an industry‑leading preclinical and early clinical therapeutic pipeline for inflammatory diseases.
• Set discovery portfolio goals for high‑priority autoimmune diseases and ensure alignment with key stakeholders in inflammatory disease research, the clinical development team, and other Takeda stakeholders.
• Be accountable for defining the preclinical elements of multiple drug discovery programmes, in partnership with other research leaders across Takeda and the early clinical development team within the GI and Inflammation Therapeutic Area.
• Interface with the business development group to identify strategically important innovative external opportunities.
• Help maintain the Takeda culture that promotes creativity, open communication, collaboration, collegiality, and a high sense of urgency, while maintaining the highest quality of scientific foundations of the company’s drug discovery process.

• Form a strong partnership with clinical and commercial team colleagues for disease‑area strategic alignment and drive delivery of mid‑long‑term innovative strategies.
• Lead early target discovery through candidate selection and partner with the therapeutic area translational team for early development plans.
• Partner with the Center for External Innovation at Takeda for the identification and assessment of external platform and pipeline opportunities, providing due diligence and recommendations.
• Act as an international subject‑matter expert and global Takeda thought leader in inflammatory disease research, staying up‑to‑date with scientific and competitive developments.
• Represent Takeda and foster a presence in the global inflammation and immunology scientific community through meetings.
• Encourage diversity and support career development for colleagues and staff.
• Ensure all inflammation disease‑area global product teams are resourced for optimal scientific support.
• Provide nuanced advice to senior stakeholders on the GI and Inflammation therapeutic landscape.

• Creative, collaborative, proactive and confident with proven leadership qualities.
• Demonstrated ability to work across functions, regions and cultures and adheres to Takeda’s values.
• Excellent communicator, able to persuade orally, in presentation and in written format.
• Effective team player who builds credibility and confidence internally and externally.
• Ability to distil complex…