Vice President, Business Development

Business Development - Philadelphia, PA - Full Time

Adaptimmune is a fully integrated cell therapy company, designed and built from the ground up with four U.K.- and U.S.-based biotechnology hub locations. Our comprehensive capabilities and teams include preclinical research, clinical development, translational sciences, autologous and allogeneic manufacturing, and in-house commercial and corporate operations.

Our company culture is rooted in trust, inclusion, our capacity to collaborate, and our commitment to being honest and brave in our desire to successfully transform the lives of people with cancer.

This role will be based out of either our Philadelphia, PA or Cambridge, MA site

Primary Responsibility

The VP, Business development will work alongside the Chief Business Officer as a key leader within the Business Development and Alliance Management Team.  This position will focus on the pursuit of strategic business development and M&A opportunities, partnerships, alliances and licensing agreements that fit within the overall corporate strategy, business plan and product portfolio. 

Reporting to the Chief Business Officer and working closely with the Executive Team, this position will understand how to drive and deliver in a small, tight-knit Business Development Team including Competitive Intelligence and Alliance Management, whilst working closely with the Legal team and across a multi-functional, trans- Atlantic, fully integrated cell therapy company - planning to launch the first TCR-based cell therapy, afami-cel) in 2024.

Key Responsibilities

Strategy & Positioning – Out-licensing
  • In conjunction with the CBO, develop a BD strategy and road map for implementation in accordance with broader company strategy and in partnership with key internal stakeholders, including the Board and the Executive Team. 
  • Expand and further develop the dialogue with all potential Pharma, biotech and academic partners and lead out-reach efforts surrounding the company’s extensive pipeline. 
  • Drive the BD positioning in external forums/conferences, etc. through presentation and supportive/IR positioning of the company messaging. 
External evaluation and In-licensing
  • Continually assess the marketplace for new and complementary technologies in research and development, potential threats to the market, competitor activity, etc. and work with CBO to develop portfolio and technology strategy.
  • Screen, identify, evaluate and approach potential opportunities relevant for the Company’s portfolio and broader R&D strategy.
  • Take responsibility for the diligence and competitive analysis of new projects to enhance pipeline.
  • Determine relevant partnership, acquisition or joint venture opportunities/approach.
Execution & Line/Team/External Provider Management
  • Working across the broader BD and legal team, prepare internal proposals to recommend, negotiate, structure and obtain approvals and execute collaboration/partnership and/or acquisition of potential business targets (in collaboration with CBO for Board approved deals).
  • Manage the internal BD Team activities and direct report(s) as well as broader company R&D diligence teams, (working alongside Alliance Director) for timely and effective execution on all collaboration fronts.

Qualifications & Experience

Required
  • At least 12 -15 years of business development experience within the pharma/biotech/ healthcare
  • At least 5 years of knowledge in the areas of immunology, cancer and immune system-based therapies, ideally with the scientific and clinical knowledge of immuno-oncology and T cell biology.
  • First-hand experience of assessing and negotiating of R&D deals, in addition to being comfortable in both R&D and commercial environments.
  • A strong understanding of the competitive landscape.
  • A team player and self-starter, who brings a meaningful deal sheet and successful career history within the pharmaceutical/biotechnology industry.
  • Must possess vision and innovation. High energy levels, commitment, drive and pragmatism, intellectual rigor, personal resilience and dynamism are essential.
  • A transparent and hands-on approach.
  • Leadership & mentoring capabilities, and strong interpersonal skills. An exceptional team player, with a demonstrable track record of influencing and motivating multi-functional internal and external teams to achieve successful deals.
  • An excellent communicator capable of representing his/her company to all audiences, both internally and externally, particularly at international conferences and scientific symposia.
Desirable
  • PhD. and / or MBA or equivalent experience; while an advanced technical degree is not essential, it is highly desirable.

other requirements
  • Candidate can be based in the US – ideally in the Greater Philadelphia or Boston areas, also scope to be UK, within the Oxford/London region.
  • Able to travel frequently between US and UK and broadly within the US.

At Adaptimmune we embrace diversity and equality of opportunity. We believe that the more inclusive we are, the better our work will be. We welcome applications to join our team from all qualified candidates, regardless of age, colour, disability, marital status, national origin, race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status or other legally protected category. It is our intent that all qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment.

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