Takeda · 1 day ago
Global Therapeutic Research Lead (Oligo)
United States
Full-time
Remote
Director/Executive
10+ years expTakeda is a global leader in the pharmaceutical industry, and they are seeking a Global Therapeutic Research Lead for their Neuroscience Drug Discovery Unit. The role involves leading high-priority drug discovery projects, mentoring team members, and collaborating with various internal and external stakeholders to drive the development of innovative therapies.
BiotechnologyHealth CareManufacturingMedicalPharmaceutical
Responsibilities
Lead and manage one or more ‘Top 10’ drug discovery oligonucleotide projects, overseeing the entire drug discovery process from target identification to preclinical development. (Top 10 projects are well validated targets that are focused on strategically aligned modalities with substantial clinical and commercial potential)
Responsible for the articulation and ownership of the project strategy, developed in partnership with internal stakeholders
Contribute to strategy for future portfolio investment, particularly within the Inflammation and Immunology area including advising on which projects should be Top 10 projects
Evaluate and prioritize potential drug candidates based on scientific, medical, and commercial considerations
Represent all core expertise for project
Partner with Clinical and Translational teams to refine asset strategy
Ensure alignment to the therapeutic area strategy (i.e., Clinical Development)
Understand and align with commercial team for asset commercial value within the Neuroscience Therapeutic Area (NS TA)
Provide guidance and mentorship to global project team members, stimulating enterprise thinking and fostering their professional growth and development
Mentor future and more junior project leads and elevate drug discovery capability across Research
Collaborate with cross-functional teams and partners (e.g., DMPK, Pharmaceutical Sciences) within and outside Takeda to drive project delivery
Pipeline and enterprise impact through effective partnering with multiple internal and external collaborators
Provide strategic, process, and operational leadership for successful Top 10 Project delivery
Foster a culture of innovation and scientific excellence within the matrixed drug discovery team, promoting collaboration, knowledge sharing, and continuous learning
Become a world leading scientific expert in the projects you lead
Oversee the design and execution of experiments, data analysis, and interpretation to enable decision-making and optimize drug discovery efforts
Stay abreast of the latest advancements in drug discovery, emerging technologies, and industry trends, applying this knowledge to enhance drug discovery strategies
Build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders, including academic institutions, research organizations, and industry partners inclusive of serving on joint external governance committees across the globe
Represent Takeda externally for the Neuroscience Drug Discovery Unit and play a key role in evaluating external opportunities, serving as an effective ambassador for Takeda’s global business development brand
Qualification
Required
Advanced degree in health or life sciences (e.g., Ph.D., M.D., D.V.M.)
Expected to have at least 10-12 years industry and relevant subject matter expertise within Immunology and Inflammation and at least 10-12 years global management experience, including working effectively with matrix teams
Extensive experience in leading drug discovery teams and managing drug discovery/development projects, preferably in a pharmaceutical or biotechnology setting covering gastroenterology and inflammation
Deep understanding of the drug discovery process, including target identification, hit-to-lead optimization, and preclinical development, anticipating, and removing roadblocks
Proven track record of leading numerous projects, ideally 5+ projects, across discovery from target inception to Candidate Nomination or beyond
Played a major role in 3+ INDs
Has delivered clinical development assets preferably across multiple modalities (e.g. small molecule, biologics, cell therapies, ADC etc.)
Excellent and inclusive leadership with the ability to inspire and motivate diverse teams towards achieving ambitious goals
Reputation as a proactive, solutions-oriented leader who engages relevant expertise no matter where it resides
Strong business acumen and understanding of the pharmaceutical industry, including regulatory requirements and commercial considerations with relevant knowledge and expertise for specific modalities
Exceptional communication and presentation skills, with the ability to effectively communicate complex scientific concepts to diverse audiences
Proven ability to build and maintain collaborative relationships with internal and external stakeholders across a matrixed organization
Strong problem-solving and decision-making abilities, with a focus on data-driven decision making
Demonstrated success in building and managing strategic partnerships with academic institutions, research organizations, and industry collaborators
Benefits
Allowances Commutation, Housing, Overtime Work etc.
Salary Increase Annually, Bonus Payment Twice a year
Holidays Saturdays, Sundays, National Holidays, May Day, Year-End Holidays etc. (approx. 123 days in a year)
Paid Leaves Annual Paid Leave, Special Paid Leave, Sick Leave, Family Support Leave, Maternity Leave, Childcare Leave, Family Nursing Leave.
Flexible Work Styles Flextime, Telework
Benefits Social Insurance, Retirement and Corporate Pension, Employee Stock Ownership Program, etc.
Company
Takeda
Takeda is a biopharmaceutical company that researches and develops pharmaceutical drugs.
10001+ employees
H1B Sponsorship
Takeda has a track record of offering H1B sponsorships. Please note that this does not
guarantee sponsorship for this specific role. Below presents additional info for your
reference. (Data Powered by US Department of Labor)
Distribution of Different Job Fields Receiving Sponsorship
Represents job field similar to this job
Trends of Total Sponsorships
2025 (45)
2024 (39)
2023 (38)
2022 (34)
2021 (44)
2020 (18)
Funding
Current Stage
Public CompanyTotal Funding
$2.46B2025-06-27Post Ipo Debt· $2.4B
2016-09-01Grant· $19.8M
2016-05-08Grant· $38M
Leadership Team
Christophe Weber
President and CEO
Schuyler Fairfield
Senior Vice President, Global Head of Supply Chain
Recent News
2026-01-08
2026-01-07
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