Director Search & Evaluation, Neuroscience

About This Role

Corporate Development leads the establishment of Biogen's corporate strategy and is responsible for the identification, assessment and negotiation of external opportunities to augment Biogen's pipeline, as well as integration of acquired companies and management of relationships with Biogen's partners.

The Search & Evaluation Director for Neuroscience will be contributing to the search and evaluation process to proactively identify and scientifically/technically evaluate external growth opportunities for inbound partnering (e.g., collaborations, licensing, and M&A). In addition to playing an important role in expanding Biogen's pipeline, the Search and Evaluation Director will have the opportunity to contribute to identifying and defining Biogen's strategy in Neurology and Neuromuscular Diseases.

What You'll Do

* Work closely with Corporate Strategy and R&D Leadership to clearly understand the external business strategy and search priorities within Neuroscience therapeutic areas

* Proactively identify and scientifically/technically evaluate external growth opportunities for inbound partnering/acquisition in new Neuroscience therapeutic areas

* Proactively survey the emerging scientific and technological competitive landscape in Neuroscience therapeutic areas

* Benchmark new opportunities and propose prioritization of opportunities within Neuroscience therapeutic areas for further evaluation

* Develop assessment, scenarios, prosecution rationales, and recommendations for external opportunities

* Lead focused cross-functional teams in the early evaluation of opportunities with focus on the scientific and technical merit to advance (or exclude) opportunities. Integrate data sets with an interdisciplinary perspective

* Lead scientific and clinical cross-functional due diligence deal teams to advance external opportunities of notable risk and complexity to term sheet. Develop the strategy for project execution

* Build key networks, both internally and externally, to survey proactively the emerging scientific and technological competitive landscape in Neuroscience therapeutic areas of strategic interest, including pre-clinical, near-clinical (pre-IND/CTA), and clinical development programs

* Scout new external opportunities by contributing to systematic screens, attending conferences, participating in scientific/clinical congresses, and maintaining a strong network in the scientific/clinical and the biotech/pharma/VC community

* Create written summaries of evaluations in the form of memos and visual presentations and leads the deal team into governance discussions with senior leadership that frame the scientific and strategic importance of proposed opportunities

* Work collaboratively with the Transactional lead during negotiation of term sheets and definitive agreement

* Serve as the internal lead in both preparation and presentation of business case and other briefing materials for senior management and internal governance bodies, with support from functions across the business

Who You Are

You are a team-player with demonstrated ability to excel in a fast-paced, collaborative environment, who operates with independence but requires some guidance for complex projects. You must have expertise in preclinical or clinical drug development to rapidly assess program risks and opportunities. Possess significant learning agility and fluency across disciplines to drive constructive challenge and debate amongst senior stakeholders to ensure the best outcomes for Biogen.

Required Skills

* PhD in the life sciences or related field (e.g. molecular biology, neuroscience drug discovery/development) or MD with clinical development experience

* Detailed understanding of the pharmaceutical drug discovery/development process, with 12+ years in pre-clinical development, clinical development, and/or search & evaluation experience

* Track-record of experience in the Neuroscience or Rare Disease therapeutic areas

* Expertise in Neuroscience or Rare Disease therapeutic areas and multiple modalities

* Ability to think critically, creatively and to anticipate and solve problems

* Ability to navigate and be successful in a…