Project Lead Biologics, Amplify

General Overview

Innovation is a 140 person Mass General Brigham business development unit responsible for the worldwide commercial application of the breakthroughs and unique capabilities of MGB's 82,000 employees and Harvard faculty. It drives revenue generation and patient benefit through industry collaborations, investing, company creation, licensing, and innovation management for MGB's Harvard Medical School appointed faculty and hospitals including its core Harvard affiliates -- Brigham and Women's Hospital, Massachusetts General Hospital, Massachusetts Eye and Ear and McLean Hospital. Amplify is the translational accelerator that funds and operates projects from Mass General Brigham investigators that have the highest commercial potential.

The Project Lead, Biologics is accountable for identifying, being internal champion, and leading technology projects and initiatives within the Amplify portfolio. The Project Lead, Biologics will be a vital contributor to the success of Amplify in translating promising new ideas to reality, and creating value with these new technologies. The Project Lead, Biologics will act as the Chief Scientific Officer of their approved portfolio programs in a manner consistent with a pre-seed/seeded new company leveraging funding from Mass General Brigham. The Project Lead, Biologics will participate and/or lead in the triage, diligence, planning, and investment approval process for select portfolio programs prior to operating the approved programs. The Project Lead will also participate in commercialization activities including soliciting external feedback about prospective investments, and pitching to prospective investors and partners. The Project Lead, Biologics candidate will combine their expertise in biologics therapeutic/vaccine development and particular domains such as early stage proof of concept through preclinical development and project leadership to operationalize and de-risk early stage academic investigator technologies. Candidates for this role must be highly motivated by working on the forefront of life science innovation and advancing the healthcare mission of Mass General Brigham. The ideal candidate will also have participated in fundraising and early stage company science operations.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

* Leads invested projects in close collaboration with the Amplify leadership team, physicians and researchers at the hospitals, Innovation colleagues, and industry representatives.
* The Project Lead, Biologics will in effect perform as the principal or chief science/operational officer for their portfolio projects.
* Applies knowledge of biologic therapeutic/vaccine product development to effectively diligence, select, scope, plan/budget, pitch, and implement early innovative projects of their own, as well as assist in other project triage and diligences as part of the Amplify team.
* Can readily assess commercial potential of assigned projects and assess the key risks to be mitigated.
* Contribute to the development of intellectual property filings and prosecution, especially as it intersects with new company or partnership commercialization strategies.
* Effectively conducts direct and regular interactions with hospital-based investigators and stakeholders, investors and industry collaborators, external advisors, contract vendors and consultants.
* Develop and manage program budgets and engage with finance and operations colleagues to oversee spending, as well as inform commercialization plans.
* Ensures that deliverables associated with each project is completed on time, within budget to meet or exceed targets set by Amplify.
* Produce high quality communication documents for project operations, communications with stakeholders, and pitches for project approval to internal and external investment committees.
* Thrives in working in close collaboration with colleagues working in diverse roles, including other Amplify Leads, MGB Ventures, MGB academic Innovators, BD & Licensing, and other MGB Translational Program Managers.
* In addition to their Amplify responsibilities, the Project Lead will also serve as an experienced advisory resource to Venture and Licensing colleagues, as well as other Innovation colleagues engaged in translational development and initiatives for Mass General Brigham technologies.
* Other duties as assigned

* May require night and/or weekend work on occasion
* Possible local travel to Mass General Brigham sites

Qualifications

* PhD or other advanced degrees in science/technology/engineering plus 10+ years of increasing responsibility in project management
* Experience in industry-based drug product development environment of 10+ years is required
* Prior experience in diligencing technologies either internally at a company or as a consultant to companies or investors
* Effective verbal and written communication skills
* Experience in successfully fundraising and operating in a biotechnology startup environment is a plus
* A combination of education and experience may be substituted for requirements

Skills, Abilities and Competencies

* Expertise with product development of biologic therapeutics including antibodies, ADCs, enzymes, recombinant fusion proteins, vaccines, and gene therapy vectors is essential
* Familiarity with technologies and platforms used to develop biologic therapeutics including immunization, library screening, in silico and structural design, as well as production of research grade to CGMP proteins, plasmids, and cell lines.
* Deep and demonstrated experience with immunology and/or cell biology including assay development
* Strong ability to connect fundamental target biology to drug mechanisms
* Strong Project Management skills with track record of managing competing complex deliverables and deadlines
* Demonstrates exceptional verbal, writing, presentation, and computer skills
* Established network of drug development contacts as well as investors is preferred
* Enthusiasm for working with exceptional and innovative researchers and technologies
* Experience in overseeing IND-enabling activities including non-clinical pharmacology and CMC, and advancing programs to the IND stage or beyond is beneficial.
* Can effectively lead diligence, provide background information to test viability of scope, budget and timeline.
* Independently develops and delivers required draft documents such as scope, proposals, timeline, critical path and budget options for stakeholder review and team level execution.
* Stay abreast of the latest advancements in biologics drug discovery, emerging technologies, and industry trends, and apply this knowledge to enhance drug discovery strategies.
* Experience with leading remote team resources via contracted and / or consulting resources

Mass General Brigham is an Equal Opportunity Employer. By embracing diverse skills, perspectives, and ideas, we choose to lead. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religious creed, national origin, sex, age, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation, military service, genetic information, and/or other status protected under law. We will ensure that all individuals with a disability are provided a reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment.