Bioconjugation Lead

Do you want to be part of an inclusive team that works to develop innovative therapies for patients? Every day, we are driven to develop and deliver innovative and effective new medicines to patients and physicians. If you want to be part of this exciting work, you belong at Astellas!

Astellas Pharma Inc. is a pharmaceutical company conducting business in more than 70 countries around the world. We are committed to turning innovative science into medical solutions that bring value and hope to patients and their families. Keeping our focus on addressing unmet medical needs and conducting our business with ethics and integrity enables us to improve the health of people throughout the world. For more information on Astellas, please visit our website at www.astellas.com .

The Role

This pivotal role involves providing strategic, scientific, and operational leadership for our antibody drug conjugate (ADC) research, primarily focusing on bioconjugation strategies and their interplay with antibody characteristics.

The position holder will drive the design and development of novel ADC candidates and support the Research Lead (Res-L) from a scientific and resource management perspective to accelerate projects.

This position reports directly to the Head of Antibody Drug Conjugate

Responsibilities:

Scientific & Technical Leadership:

Provide scientific vision, strategic direction, and technical oversight for the Bioconjugation team, ensuring the delivery of well-characterized ADC candidates.

Collaborate closely with the Antibody Engineering team to define optimal antibody characteristics for conjugation and contribute to the antibody selection strategy for ADC projects

Lead the design, development, optimization, and execution of novel and established bioconjugation methodologies for creating ADCs, including site-specific conjugation techniques.

Stay at the forefront of bioconjugation technologies, ADC development, and relevant analytical

advancements; evaluate and implement new technologies and approaches to enhance team capabilities and productivity.

Troubleshoot and resolve complex scientific and technical challenges related to bioconjugation, purification, and characterization

Team Management & Development:

Lead, manage, mentor, and develop a team, fostering a culture of scientific excellence, innovation, collaboration, urgency, and accountability.

Ensure appropriate resource allocation, project planning, and timeline management for the Bioconjugation team.

Project & Stakeholder Management:

Drive bioconjugation aspects of ADC projects from early discovery to development candidate selection, ensuring timely delivery of high-quality data and materials.

Collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams, including antibody engineering, medicinal chemistry (payload and linker synthesis), analytical development, DMPK, pharmacology, CMC, and external partners.

Contribute to the preparation of technical reports, patent applications, and regulatory submission documents.

Required Qualifications

PhD. in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Bioengineering, or a closely related field.

Minimum of 10 years of experience in the biopharmaceutical industry, with a significant portion focused on Antibody Drug Conjugate development.

Proven track record of scientific accomplishment and leadership in the biologics field, evidenced by publications, patents, and successful advancement of therapeutic candidates.

Significant hands-on experience and deep understanding of protein chemistry, bioconjugation techniques, and purification methods for proteins and ADCs.

Experience in identifying, evaluating, and developing novel technologies.

Proven ability to think strategically and contribute to R&D portfolio planning.

Excellent communication, interpersonal, and presentation skills, with the ability to effectively communicate complex science to diverse audiences.

Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively in a cross-functional, matrixed environment.

Minimum of 3 years of experience in leading and managing scientific teams.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience in the development or application of site-specific conjugation technologies

Knowledge and experience in stability assessment of ADCs, pharmacokinetic (DMPK) characterization, and in vitro/in vivo efficacy evaluation.

Experience in the implementation and utilization of high-throughput bioconjugation methods and automation technologies.

Knowledge or experience in CMC development of ADCs

Working Environment:

This position is based in Japan or US.

At Astellas we recognize the importance of work/life balance, and we are proud to offer a hybrid working solution allowing time to connect with colleagues at the office with the flexibility to also work from home. We believe this will optimize the most productive work environment for all employees to succeed and deliver.

Hybrid work from certain locations may be permitted in accordance with Astellas’ Responsible Flexibility Guidelines.

Salary Range: $134,330 - 191,900 NOTE: Final salary could be more or less, based on experience)

Benefits:

Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance

Generous Paid Time Off options, including Vacation, Sick time, plus national holidays including Heritage Days, and Summer and Winter Breaks

401(k) match and annual company contribution

Company paid life insurance

Annual Corporate Bonus and Quarterly Sales Incentive for eligible positions

Long Term Incentive Plan for eligible positions

Referral bonus program

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, sex, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, or on the basis of disability.

#LI-TR1

Category Biologics Engineering

Astellas is committed to equality of opportunity in all aspects of employment.

EOE including Disability/Protected Veterans