Description

This new role, the Innovation Director, will lead search and evaluation efforts to identify innovative opportunities that can be internally developed and that will meaningfully strengthen Pendopharm’s pipeline.

The scope of innovation will focus on repurposing proven molecules through new formulations, delivery technologies, or new indications that address unmet medical needs in both our core & select new therapeutic areas for Canada and select international markets.

This role will develop and utilize a targeted network of targeted key opinion leaders to identify unmet medical needs and surface innovative opportunities aligned with the company’s strategic goals. The Innovation Director will work cross-functionally to guide product development decisions and secure financing. He/She will be responsible for the identification, planning, and execution of the innovative projects from ideation to regulatory submission.

Responsibilities

  • Lead the development of relationships within the Canadian medical & academic communities including key opinion leaders, research institutes, academic and other scientific organizations.
  • Develop and maintain strong relationships with key opinion leaders, and other external stakeholders in select therapeutic areas.
  • Engage with external researchers as the primary contact on interest related to investigator-initiated trials (IITs).
  • Lead the ideation process to identify, prioritize, evaluate and recommend potential innovative opportunities for internal development. Success will be measured by how many projects are adopted.
  • Present and obtain financing approval on internal development projects to the executive team and other stakeholders.
  • Influence the product development team, ensuring effective project management, resource allocation, and timeline adherence.
  • Oversee the product development lifecycle, from initial concept through design, development, testing, evaluation, clinical development and up to regulatory submission.
  • Drive innovation by fostering a culture of creativity and collaboration with internal and external stakeholders.
  • Engage with internal cross-functional teams and external collaborators to ensure successful innovation programs.

Skills, Knowledge & Abilities

  • Strong analytical skills and the ability to communicate complex information and analyses to a variety of scientific and non-scientific audiences.
  • Strong interpersonal & leadership skills and ability to represent Pendopharm in a highly professional manner.
  • Strong oral and written communication skills.
  • Strong problem solving, project management and leadership skills.
  • Strong team player, proactive in nature, with a “can-do”, self-starter attitude.
  • Entrepreneurial mindset who can handle ambiguity & create clarity.
  • Ability to work in a dynamic environment with cross-functional responsibilities.
  • Ability to lead directly and by influence.
  • Bilingual FR/ENG: This person will be required to work with regulatory authorities & suppliers and/or clients located outside the province of Quebec.

Qualifications

  • Advanced scientific or clinical degree (MD, PhD, PharmD, etc.).
  • 15+ years of biotech/pharma experience.
  • Breadth across multiple therapeutic areas with a track record of leading complex evaluations from scouting through governance decisions.
  • Established network with investigators, researchers and innovation ecosystems across Canada.
  • Business acumen: Valuation literacy; option value framing; scenario and risk modeling; ability to articulate value drivers and deal concepts.
  • Ability to travel ≥30% of the time. Travel will be primarily domestic.

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