VC Director @ Novo Nordisk in San Francisco, CA

Our Cambridge Innovation Center is an extension of our Novo Nordisk Research Center Seattle, Inc. (NNRCSI). We apply cutting-edge technologies to early R&D projects with the goal of bringing real change to People with Diabetes and Obesity. Your skills, dedication and ambition will help us change lives for the better. In exchange, we’ll offer you an opportunity to work with extraordinary talent, continuously learn and develop, and drive change to defeat diabetes and other serious chronic conditions.

 

The team is comprised of collaborative, diverse and passionate people who have a true sense of pride in their work and are committed to helping others grow and develop their careers. You’ll also have a platform to engage with key stakeholders on a global scale throughout the entire pipeline process. And while changing the future of diabetes and obesity treatment is no easy task, we also recognize the importance of an enjoyable workplace, which is why we’ve cultivated a culture of fun, ingenuity and innovation. And our competitive compensation package and support of a healthy work-life balance all add to a best-in-class employee experience. We are changing lives for a living. Are you ready to make a difference?

 

The Position

Search & Evaluation (S&E) is part of Global Research & Development (R&D) Business Development and acts as the primary entry point for external drug and technology opportunities relevant to Novo Nordisk at Global Drug Discovery, Global Technology Research, Global Development and Corporate level. S&E conducts pro-active scouting campaigns to identify relevant R&D opportunities by targeting universities, biotechnology companies and venture capital firms, by means of partnering events, road shows and commissioned meetings or events.

 

The search for novel therapeutics focuses on our core areas: diabetes, obesity, as well as Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NASH), Cardiovascular Disease (CVD), Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) and rare blood and endocrine disorders. Besides our therapeutic areas of interest, S&E supports the identification of cutting-edge enabling technologies within oligonucleotides, protein and peptide engineering and gene editing/therapy.

 

Working cross-functionally, S&E supports the assessment of such external opportunities all the way to due diligence and contractual negotiation. The role is a driver for change in executing Novo Nordisk’s R&D strategy and business development activities on a global scale.

 

Relationships

Although the position is physically based in the United States (US) and tethered to Novo Nordisk Research Center in Seattle, Washington, it reports globally to the Vice President (VP) of S&E in Novo Nordisk, Denmark. This position will also leverage an individual’s network, and actively engage with external stakeholders including biotech companies, venture capital firms and pharma communities, to ensure Novo Nordisk becomes the preferred partner within our areas of interest. The role has no direct or indirect reports.

 

Essential Functions

  • Secure excellence in building/maintaining professional networks within academic, biotech, venture capital and pharma communities with focus on the US West Coast by proactively contacting and meeting with university technology transfer offices, key opinion leaders and university researchers
  • Participate in university or Novo Nordisk-sponsored events and meetings, or participate in external scientific congresses or symposia
  • Meet biotech and pharma companies and participate in biotech/pharma partnering events, or through Incubator visits
  • Meet venture capital (VC) firms and participate in VC conferences and events
  • Scout for and report opportunities through professional networks or literature searches, databases or patent searches within relevant therapy areas, i.e. diabetes, obesity, CVD, CKD, NASH, rare blood/endocrine disorders
  • Support the evaluation of identified opportunities in close collaboration with Novo Nordisk S&E based in Denmark and other relevant stakeholders based in Denmark
  • Support the evaluation process according to established procedures and guidelines up to and including due diligence to secure proposed collaborations and licenses for products and technology opportunities
  • Prepare presentation of selected opportunities to relevant governance boards
  • Provide support to Business Development during negotiation of licenses and collaborations in alignment with S&E based in Denmark
  • Brand Novo Nordisk as the preferred partner within relevant therapy areas.

 

Physical Requirements

20-30% overnight travel required. Field based role, located on West Coast of United States.

 

Qualifications

  • A Masters degree required; MD or PhD degree is preferred
  • At least 10 years proven track record of project management, search and evaluation or an equivalent R&D role
    • Part of the ten (10) years of experience must include:
      • Building extensive professional network in biotech and VC communities particularly related to metabolic diseases
      • Business development and licensing experience covering aspects of pharmaceutical drug discovery and development
  • Research, medical training and experience are preferably within the metabolic space
  • Strong stakeholder management and networking skills
  • Outstanding ability to link science and strategy, as well as communication skills of complex issues
  • Outgoing, analytical and a good communicator who functions well in a dynamic environment

If interested, please apply here.

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