Senior Director, Chemistry

The Senior Director of Chemistry will be a key member of the TB Alliance’s Research and Development team and will provide the leadership and expertise necessary to assess and evaluate projects from diverse sources. He/she will contribute to and guide the medicinal chemistry strategy, and oversee the process research, process development and GMP API scale up, for the overall portfolio, organize and manage the research activities necessary for the discovery research and preclinical development of anti-tuberculosis drugs.

As a key member of the TB Alliance’s Research and Development team, the Senior Director of Chemistry will be responsible for helping to build, evolve, and implement the research and pre-clinical development strategy of the TB Alliance. 

• Advise and support the Head of Research in setting the research strategy and overseeing the TB Alliance discovery and preclinical projects, ensuring timely and quality technical performance. Help in the design and synthesis of novel compounds and progressing projects from hit to lead to preclinical candidates and ultimately the filing of INDs. 
• Lead the process research and development of clinical candidates to ensure cost-effective methods of manufacturing as well as all GMP manufacturing of API beyond IND.
• Be involved in the identification, evaluation and selection of potential portfolio projects and appropriate compounds and product candidates for TB drug development.
• Provide scientific, technical and strategic leadership on medicinal chemistry, process research, process development, GMP synthesis, and other aspects of TB drug research and development.
• Marshal appropriate cutting-edge technologies to drive forward existing and future programs.
• Collaborate in a productive manner within the TB Alliance team to help drive and maximize the TB Alliance’s research and development activities.
• Ensure the timely filing of patent applications to protect any inventions stemming from the research carried out at the TB Alliance.
• Represent the TB Alliance externally in scientific, financial and business development communities and in meetings with regulatory bodies.
• Report progress towards research milestones to the Head of Research, the Research and Development team, the Scientific Advisory Committee, and the management of the TB Alliance.
• Evaluate and prioritize the portfolio projects to ensure that TB Alliance resources are being put to best use and that the projects will meet all critical success factors and prepare materials for interim and formal project reviews.
• Help manage and build the TB Alliance’s research capabilities and drug discovery strategy, and ensure a culture that is capable of attracting and retaining the best talent.
• Stay current on developments in TB drug R&D in industry and academia.
• Ensure timely publication of research papers and maintain association with scientific and professional organizations to enhance the TB Alliance’s prestige.
• Responsible for compliance with applicable GxP regulations in performing the functions of the job and attendance at annual GxP or other applicable regulatory trainings provided by the TB Alliance.

• Extensive experience in the field of medicinal chemistry and synthetic chemistry within a pharmaceutical/biotechnology company. He or she should have a minimum of 10 years of experience in medicinal chemistry, preferably in infectious disease research area, with a thorough understanding of the requirements and processes needed to take a potential drug from discovery into full development. Additionally experience in process research would be desirable.
• A Ph.D. in synthetic organic chemistry from a well-respected academic institution is required.
• A successful track record in drug discovery research and in delivering drug candidates for clinical development, preferably in the pulmonary or infectious disease area.
• A broad base knowledge in medicinal chemistry, process research and development, GMP synthesis and should have participated in preclinical development of multiple drug candidates.
• Broad exposure to drug discovery research and preclinical development with an understanding of the complex interface between research and clinical development.
• A strong understanding of the patenting process
• Proven organizational, analytical and leadership skills with the ability to work in a team-oriented environment.
• Ability to interact in a positive manner with the highest levels of research management in small and larger pharmaceutical companies.
• The ability to present well in an international setting and have the interest and ability to become an expert in TB.
• A diplomatic personality that can represent the TB Alliance to international regulators and partners.
• Strong communication, presentation, and influence skills. He or she should display strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build effective working alliances.
  A sense of purpose and dedication to the objectives and mission of the Global Alliance for TB Drug Development and its not-for-profit focus.

TB Alliance is the recognized leader in accelerating the development and adoption of urgently needed new anti-tuberculosis (TB) drugs.   The transformative BPaL/M regimens have become the gold standard for drug-resistant TB treatment, available at affordable pricing in more than 150 countries worldwide and approved by regulatory agencies in 28 countries.

TB continues to cause more deaths worldwide than any other infectious disease and disproportionately impacts marginalized populations as the disease is concentrated in lower- and middle-income countries and in patient populations in the lowest economic strata.  The World Health Organization (WHO) reports an estimated patient population of 10 million annually with active TB, of which 410,000 have drug-resistant forms of the disease. In addition, over 1.5 billion people are infected with the TB bacillus, forming the reservoir for the development of active TB.

Despite the high degree of unmet need worldwide, lack of commercial viability severely limits commercial interest in this disease area and treatment improvements are largely dependent on financial subsidization through public sector and private sector funding. TB Alliance was established to fulfill the need for greatly improved TB treatment, deploying a unique not-for-profit operating model characterized by a small core of highly experienced internal staff with capabilities extending across the Research & Development spectrum through to achieving widespread access to improved TB drugs.   The TB Alliance has a global footprint and an annual operating budget of approximately $100 million, including ~$45M in negotiated leverage funding.

As part of our overall compensation package, we offer a competitive salary, comprehensive health benefits, generous retirement contributions, and work/life flexibility designed to support employees and their immediate family. Starting salary is expected to be in the range of US$250K – $310K, exact salary will be commensurate with skills and experience and adjusted to reflect local currency for candidates outside the US.   

Interested candidates may submit their CVs along with a cover letter to jobs@www.tballiance.org.