Otsuka Pharmaceutical Company is a global healthcare company with the corporate philosophy: “Otsuka-people creating new products for better health worldwide.” Otsuka researches, develops, manufactures and markets innovative products, with a focus on pharmaceutical products to meet unmet medical needs and nutraceutical products for the maintenance of everyday health.

The Director Medicinal Chemistry will be a results-driven scientist with extensive medicinal chemistry experience and a strong interest in the drug discovery process. You will oversee the efficient design, synthesis, and characterization of important target drug compounds with suitable drug-like properties for biological testing. Working on challenging targets from hit-generation through to candidate selection, your role will involve independent design of fit-for-purpose synthetic routes to target molecules to allow rapid interpretation of project SAR and utilize the latest synthetic methodologies and techniques to design syntheses of innovative target compounds within existing and novel chemical series, and implement medicinal chemistry strategies to deliver high quality preclinical candidates, and lead interdisciplinary teams towards milestone achievement for the project.

As the Director Medicinal Chemistry, you will work in partnership with experienced drug hunters, external CROs, and academic collaborators to deliver IND-ready drug candidates for First in Human (FIH) clinical testing. Integral to this position will be the ability to liaise with internal biology/pharmacology/toxicology and pharmacokinetic groups and project management, intellectual property, and regulatory teams, and external CROs to ensure that projects objectives are timely and fully met. Also, the Director Medicinal Chemistry will communicate scientific findings, progress updates, and project strategies with project leaders/managers, senior management and external stakeholders. You will be part of a cross-functional team in a collaborative research environment and will have cross-functional leadership and experience leading drug discovery teams are necessary attributes as is familiarity with neurological disorders.

This position is based in Rockville, Maryland or Princeton, New Jersey. Otsuka maintains a hybrid work policy and travel is expected 20% of the time based on business needs. Remote options will be considered for US candidates.

Job Description:

Provide scientific (80%) and strategic (20%) leadership in operating chemistry related drug discovery project(s).
Implement and execute medicinal chemistry strategies with a blend of internal and external resources to deliver high quality preclinical candidates.
Implement and drive innovative drug discovery strategies utilizing deep expertise across medicinal chemistry and synthetic chemistry route design, through comprehensive knowledge of DMPK, pharmacology, and toxicology.
Lead drug discovery programs in effective collaboration with internal and external teams, including CROs.
Utilize cutting-edge synthetic methodologies and techniques to design syntheses of target compounds within existing and novel chemical series.
Interpret biological and ADME/PK data and design novel compounds that meet desired target profiles.
Collaborate with academic/external partners and stay current with competitive landscape.
Manage interactions with cross-functional team leaders and project managers to support project progression to IND-enabling studies.
Develop, implement, and deliver on team collaborations, including initial proposal development, planning timelines and resources, monitoring milestones and final deliverables.
Responsible for monitoring, measuring and reporting on scientific issues, opportunities and developmental plans and achievements within agreed formats & timescales.
Lead the preparation of project specific patent documents as needed.
Provide mentorship, guidance, and support to direct reports in their professional development.
Collaborate with internal stakeholders, including project management, intellectual property, and regulatory teams, as well as BD, MSRD on activities related to early phase target and asset identification to achieve project goals.
Effectively communicate scientific findings, progress updates, and project strategies to senior management and external stakeholders.
Provide expert advice to internal and external stakeholders and interact with subject matter experts for early development and go/no go decisions.
Provide expert advice to internal and external discovery teams as well as academic and early investment partners on incorporation of CMC techniques and studies in early development, lead optimization and go/no go decisions.

Minimum Qualifications:

PhD in medicinal chemistry and/or organic chemistry (or a related area) with a minimum 7-10 years of cutting-edge industry Early Discovery Research with experience in a pharmaceutical and/or biotechnology environment.
Experience in a leadership or managerial role and a strong scientific track record as evidenced by a strong track record of scientific publications, patents and delivery of clinical product candidates.
In-depth experience in a leadership or managerial role and a strong scientific track record as evidenced by a strong track record of scientific publications, patents and delivery of clinical FIM product candidates.
In-depth knowledge of Medicinal chemistry, Pharmacology, ADME and Pharmacokinetics related to CNS-based therapeutic targets/indications.
Excellent knowledge of the latest developments in medicinal chemistry, CMC techniques and IND-enabling studies leading drug candidates for First in Human (FIH) clinical testing.
Ability to apply scientific knowledge (in the areas specified above) to further the company’s products, anticipate and identify core problems, apply insightful analysis, and solve problems effectively.
Excellent working knowledge of small molecule active (pharmaceutical) ingredient discovery technologies and processes.
Experience in drafting patent applications and evaluating third party patent applications.
Ability to work to deadlines in a rapidly changing, fast-paced environment.
Proven ability to build effective relationships with colleagues and external partners.
Ability to think on both strategic and tactical level, set goals, plan, and execute.
Bias for action; a creative and detail-oriented approach to problem-solving and delivery.
Exceptional cross-functional leadership and communication skills as well as experience in leading drug discovery in neurological disorders.

Our Benefits:

Comprehensive medical, dental, vision and prescription drug coverage
Company provided Basic Life, AD&D, Short-term and Long-term Disability insurance.
Tuition reimbursement
401(k) match
PTO allotment each calendar year, paid holidays, and paid leave programs as well as other company provided benefits.

#LI-Hybrid

#LI-Remote

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Competencies
Accountability for Results - Stay focused on key strategic objectives, be accountable for high standards of performance, and take an active role in leading change.
Strategic Thinking & Problem Solving - Make decisions considering the long-term impact to customers, patients, employees, and the business.
Patient & Customer Centricity - Maintain an ongoing focus on the needs of our customers and/or key stakeholders.
Impactful Communication - Communicate with logic, clarity, and respect. Influence at all levels to achieve the best results for Otsuka.
Respectful Collaboration - Seek and value others’ perspectives and strive for diverse partnerships to enhance work toward common goals.
Empowered Development - Play an active role in professional development as a business imperative.

Come discover more about Otsuka and our benefit offerings; https://www.otsuka-us.com/careers-join-otsuka.

Disclaimer:

This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed by the people assigned to this position. It is not intended to include every job duty and responsibility specific to the position. Otsuka reserves the right to amend and change responsibilities to meet business and organizational needs as necessary.

Otsuka is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will be given consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity or gender expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, religion, national origin, veteran status, marital status, or any other legally protected characteristic.

If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran, you may request a reasonable accommodation, if you are unable or limited in your ability to apply to this job opening as a result of your disability. You can request reasonable accommodations by contacting Accommodation Request.

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At Otsuka we take security and protection of your personal information very seriously. Please be aware individuals may approach you and falsely present themselves as our employees or representatives. They may use this false pretense to try to gain access to your personal information or acquire money from you by offering fictitious employment opportunities purportedly on our behalf.

Please understand, Otsuka will never ask for financial information of any kind or for payment of money during the job application process. We do not require any financial, credit card or bank account information and/or any payment of any kind to be considered for employment. We will also not offer you money to buy equipment, software, or for any other purpose during the job application process. If you are being asked to pay or offered money for equipment fees or some other application processing fee, even if claimed you will be reimbursed, this is not Otsuka. These claims are fraudulent and you are strongly advised to exercise caution when you receive such an offer of employment.

Otsuka will also never ask you to download a third-party application in order to communicate about a legitimate job opportunity. Scammers may also send offers or claims from a fake email address or from Yahoo, Gmail, Hotmail, etc, and not from an official Otsuka email address. Please take extra caution while examining such an email address, as the scammers may misspell an official Otsuka email address and use a slightly modified version duplicating letters.

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Otsuka America Pharmaceutical Inc., Otsuka Pharmaceutical Development & Commercialization, Inc., and ODH, Inc. (“Otsuka”) does not accept unsolicited assistance from search firms for employment opportunities. All CVs/resumes submitted by search firms to any Otsuka employee directly or through Otsuka’s application portal without a valid written search agreement in place for the position will be considered Otsuka’s sole property. No fee will be paid if a candidate is hired by Otsuka as a result of an agency referral where no pre-existing agreement is in place. Where agency agreements are in place, introductions are position specific. Please, no phone calls or emails.

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Otsuka Pharmaceutical Company

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Director, Medicinal Chemistry