Antibody Drug Discovery VP

KP Recruiting Group is a consulting firm that provides leadership and exceptional talent to some of the world’s leading companies. Headquartered in the Midwest, KP Recruiting Group has successfully completed countless engagements in the United States, Europe and Latin America. We represent clients in all industries and all sizes. Our mission is to provide exceptional client and candidate experiences in order to get the best possible results. On behalf of our client, we are excited to present the following confidential role. We look forward to hearing from you and discussing the opportunity!

The Role:

• Leads a group of skilled and experienced scientists and research associates who are focused on antibody discovery for infectious diseases and toxins
  
• Extends the research scope in areas of novel drug mechanisms of action that complement existing technologies and approaches
  
• Expands efforts towards optimizing new antibody drugs for targeted delivery and targeted drug discovery and development
  
• Initiates efforts directed towards improving the therapeutic window of targeted drug delivery strategies beyond those achieved with existing delivery systems through new protein engineering
  
• Collaborates with senior management to develop new targeted drug discovery strategies
  
• Positions research programs and establishes strong alliances with academic and government partners
  
• Establishes strategic relationships with biotech, pharma, and key academic groups that have technologies that complement the ongoing efforts within the group
  
• Contributes to appropriate Intellectual Property strategies for the protection of new discoveries
  
• Generates a robust publication record in leading journals, and present findings at key meetings
  
• Fosters a culture of collaboration, innovation, discovery, and cutting-edge research
  
• Helps build a world-class therapeutics discovery team for the company
  
• Optimizes an approach that efficiently balances internal and external resources, and continuously evolve that approach as the company grows and matures
  
• Conception and design of high throughput cloning and expression strategies of both antigenic viral proteins and immunoglobulin proteins (IgGs)
  
• Works closely with the Advanced Research and Development group to optimizes expression constructs for protein stability, solubility and expression levels
  
• Oversees the small-scale purification of proteins of interest to a purity level that will allow for the isolation of high quality antibodies
  
• Works closely with our disease area experts to move validated targets into discovery, establish an optimal therapeutic product profile, design a Discovery research operating plan to achieve that profile, and transfer any internal assays and model systems as appropriate
  
• Engages with collaborators for improving the efficiency of Mapp's antibody discovery capabilities (e.g. sourcing B cells or serum; discovery or analysis activities)
  
• Builds a network of external providers or strategic partnerships to most effectively deliver development candidates with a high probability of success in the clinic
  
• Utilizes budgets and internal resources to execute programs efficiently
  
• Serves as a leader in R&D and works collaboratively across the organization to help build a therapeutic pipeline for the company
  
• Recruits top talent into the company and serve as an internal mentor to junior team members
  
• Serves as an external champion of the company.
  
• Provides scientific guidance and mentorship to members of the Early Research and Development Group
  
• Defines and delivers on research goals, ensures satisfactory turn-around-time of multiple projects in the product pipeline
  

Requirements

• Ph.D. in a relevant scientific discipline
  
• 15 years or more experience in biotechnology with experience leading a therapeutic antibody discovery program
  
• Demonstrated ability to bring mAb candidates from Discovery through to the development candidate selection
  
• A deep knowledge of drug discovery and antibody development including a track record of advancing novel drugs through early phase discovery to Candidate Selection
  
• Expertise in the discovery and development of targeted drugs for infectious diseases, such as viruses, bacteria, fungi and toxins.
  
• A broad understanding of the field of infectious diseases and the challenges it has for funding and antibody discovery
  
• Ability to design and generate high quality and representative antigens
  
• Proven leadership skills with a track record of leading small to medium sized groups and the ability to work effectively with other groups throughout the company
  
• A track record of successfully managing research groups, hiring talented scientists and developing their careers
  
• Leads multidisciplinary scientific teams in developing new programs and projects, providing clear direction to research efforts that align with Early Research and Development Group goals and long term strategy
  
• Possesses a distinguished publication and patent record, reflecting innovation and a series of outstanding discoveries
  
• Ability to function and lead in a highly collegial, entrepreneurial environment
  
• Significant experience in leadership and with management responsibilities
  
• Evaluates critical external technologies and innovations to support in-licensing and partnering efforts as well as internal development of new technologies and platforms to stay and the cutting edge of biologics discovery
  
• Experience and knowledge in molecular biology, protein expression, and purification
  
• Experience and knowledge in analytical characterization of biologics modalities, such as monoclonal antibodies, bispecific antibodies, nanobodies from discovery through development
  
• Demonstrated knowledge of the regulatory requirements for the development and approval of protein therapeutics; and proven track record of delivering research reports to support regulatory submissions (IND/IMPD, information requests, amendments, briefing books, BLA/MAA, etc.).
  
• Experience leading one or more drug discovery programs from concept through to a development candidate, IND filing (preferred), or other bonafide successful conclusion.
  
• An appreciable understanding of therapeutics development, from IND through to market
  

Benefits

Our client offers a comprehensive benefits package including:

401k Matching

Family and Individual Insurance Packages (Health, Life, Dental, and Vision)

Paid Time Off & Paid Holidays

Long & Short-Term Disability

Identity Theft Plans

Retirement & Pension Plans

Employee Assistance Program

Employee Referral Program

Tuition Reimbursement Programs

Advancement & Professional Growth opportunities 

Parental Leave

& More