Position: Head of Preclinical R&D

Company Overview:

My client is an exciting London-based biotech/startup specialising in innovative treatments for mood disorders. Their flagship compound, currently in Phase 1 clinical trials, is a men’s sexual health product being produced as an on-demand solution. It’s always great to see an established leadership team of both entrepreneurs and scientific seniority that bring a wealth of experience from both drug development and biotech incubation from a variety of backgrounds from top 10 pharma, to biotech’s, consultancies and start-ups.

This is a great opportunity for an experienced and dynamic problem solving Swiss-army knife of a professional to join this dynamic team as their new Head of Preclinical Research and Discover. The end-game is always to make a difference to real people with real problems and this is a unique opportunity to shape the future of mood disorder treatments in a dynamic, cutting-edge biotech environment.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Spearhead preclinical research strategy for lead asset and pipeline programs
2. Oversee daily operations, team management, and budget allocation for preclinical activities
3. Generate high-quality pharmacology data to support product development in sexual dysfunctions and mood disorders
4. Coordinate with CROs, partners, and academic institutions to execute research strategy
5. Manage preclinical regulatory submissions and agency interactions globally
6. Collaborate with clinical development teams on trial design and pharmacology expertise
7. Work with IP team to identify and secure patentable discoveries
8. Ensure compliance with SOPs, regulatory guidelines, and ICH requirements
9. Maintain GxP and health & safety standards in preclinical activities

Ideal Candidate Profile:

• Advanced degree in Pharmacology or related field (PhD preferred)
• Extensive senior-level experience in pharmaceutical preclinical functions
• Deep understanding of drug development regulations and guidelines
• Expertise in CNS disease mechanisms and preclinical models
• Proven track record in scientific writing for regulatory documents and publications
• Experience presenting at international scientific conferences
• Strong skills in budget management, organization, and problem-solving
• Leadership experience with a focus on team development
• Excellent communication skills (written and verbal)
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, scientific software (e.g., GraphPad), and literature databases

Details

• Hybrid working
• London based office
• Competitive salary based on experience
• Substantial equity options available

This role offers a unique opportunity to shape the future of mood disorder treatments in a dynamic, cutting-edge biotech environment. If you are an experienced, R&D professional with a passion for driving innovation in the biotech industry, I encourage you to apply for this exciting opportunity. Please call +44 1293 776644 for more information or reach out to James Measures directly on jmeasures@barringtonjames.com with the link to the job advert to discuss further.

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