Intern, Search & Evaluation

Lakefront Biotherapeutics NV; Antwerpen; Hybrid; EUR 43,000 - 67,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Exposure to real‑world BD decisions

Interact with strategy leaders

Hands-on internship experience

Job summary

Lakefront Biotherapeutics invites a highly motivated Search & Evaluation Intern to support strategic assessments of external opportunities. You will work with the BD team to identify, analyze, and assess external innovation across therapeutic areas, gaining exposure to business development, competitive intelligence, and portfolio strategy in biopharma.

You will conduct landscape analyses, build opportunity theses, and evaluate data to assess scientific rationale, differentiation, and commercial

Qualifications

• Currently a 4th or 5th year MD and/or PhD student in immunology or life sciences.
• Strong ability to critically evaluate preclinical and clinical data, disease biology, and therapeutic mechanisms.
• Interest in scientific due diligence and biotechnology investing; follow industry trends.
• Excellent analytical, literature review, and scientific communication skills.
• Prior experience with scientific due diligence or landscaping is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Landscape analyses of emerging therapeutic areas, targets, and modalities across prioritized disease areas.
• Develop strategic opportunity assessments and business development theses around indications, mechanisms, or companies.
• Evaluate preclinical and clinical data to assess scientific rationale, differentiation, clinical potential, and competitive positioning.
• Monitor biotech and pharma industry news, partnering activity, financings, M&A, and licensing transactions.
• Support diligence efforts for potential partnerships, licensing, and acquisitions.
• Participate in cross-functional discussions with transactions, clinical development, commercial strategy, and corporate strategy teams.
• Present findings and recommendations to the Business Development team.
• Provide operational support to BD/S&E team.

Skills

Analytical skills

Literature review

Scientific communication

Due diligence experience

Education

MD/PhD student (Immunology or life sciences)

Job description

Lakefront Biotherapeutics is a global biotech with offices in Belgium, Chicago and San Francisco, focused on building a differentiated immunology and inflammation pipeline to address serious diseases with high unmet medical need. Our pipeline is anchored by T‑cell engager programs, led by a potential first‑in‑class clinical asset and complemented by an exciting preclinical portfolio in autoimmune disease.

Our lead asset is being developed for severe immune‑mediated diseases, while additional preclinical programs expand the long‑term potential of our R&D pipeline. At Lakefront, we focus on advancing programs with strong biological rationale, clear clinical proof of concept and large commercial opportunities.

Are you ready to transform lives and be part of a journey like no other? We are building a company where science, execution, and accountability matter. Rather than layers of hierarchy, we operate with small, empowered teams that work hands‑on across development stages to move programs forward efficiently and thoughtfully.

We are looking for people who want to contribute directly, who are motivated by solving real problems, collaborating across disciplines, and taking ownership from idea to impact. At Lakefront, every role plays a part in shaping the future of medicines that have the potential to make a meaningful difference for patients.

If you are driven to improve the lives of patients, energized by execution, and excited to help build a growing company with a strong balance sheet, we look forward to meeting you.

THE OPPORTUNITY

We are seeking a highly motivated Search & Evaluation Intern to support strategic assessments of external business development opportunities at Lakefront Biotherapeutics. The intern will work closely with the Search & Evaluation team to identify, analyze, and assess external innovation across therapeutic areas. This role offers a unique opportunity to gain firsthand exposure to business development, competitive intelligence, and portfolio strategy within the biopharmaceutical industry.

WHAT YOU’LL DO

• Conduct landscape analyses of emerging therapeutic areas, targets, and modalities across prioritized disease areas.
• Develop strategic opportunity assessments and business development theses around specific indications, mechanisms of action, or companies.
• Evaluate preclinical and clinical data to assess scientific rationale, differentiation, clinical potential, and competitive positioning of external assets.
• Monitor biotech and pharmaceutical industry news, partnering activity, financings, mergers and acquisitions, and licensing transactions to identify emerging opportunities and trends.
• Support scientific and commercial diligence efforts for potential partnership, licensing, and acquisition opportunities.
• Participate in cross-functional discussions with transactions, clinical development, commercial strategy, and corporate strategy teams.
• Present findings recommendations to members of the Business Development team at the conclusion of the internship.
• Provide operational support to BD/S&E team.

WHAT YOU BRING

• Current 4th or 5th year MD and/or PhD student in Immunology, Translational Medicine, Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, Pharmacology, Biomedical Sciences, Chemistry / chemical biology, or a related life sciences discipline with experience in translational research, therapeutic development, or drug discovery
• Strong scientific foundation with demonstrated ability to critically evaluate preclinical and clinical data, disease biology, and therapeutic mechanisms.
• Demonstrated interest in scientific due diligence, biotechnology investing, business development. Following industry trends within the biopharmaceutical industry.
• Excellent analytical, literature review, and scientific communication skills, including the ability to synthesize complex information into concise presentations and recommendations.
• Prior experience with conducting scientific due diligence or landscaping is a plus.

WHAT WE OFFER

• Exposure to real‑world biotech and pharmaceutical business development decision‑making.
• Experience evaluating early‑stage through clinical‑stage therapeutic opportunities.
• Opportunities to interact with scientific, clinical, commercial, and corporate strategy leaders.
• Development of skills in scientific diligence, competitive intelligence, valuation thinking, and portfolio strategy.
• Pay range for this position is between $35-$55/hr

At Lakefront Biotherapeutics, we are committed to attracting individuals who bring strong expertise, integrity, and a collaborative mindset. We value people who take ownership, work effectively across teams, and want to contribute to meaningful progress.

You will join a highly motivated and supportive team working together to advance our pipeline and strengthen how we operate. As we continue to build and grow, we offer an environment where individuals can develop, take on responsibility, and make a tangible impact.

Lakefront Biotherapeutics is dedicated to ensuring equal employment opportunities. Our hiring decisions are based on merit, considering qualifications, skills, performance, and achievements. We strictly prohibit discrimination against any employee or job applicant based on personal characteristics that are unrelated to their job.