Clinical Development Lead

Cpl Life Sciences; Greater London; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

CPL Life Sciences seeks an experienced Clinical Development Lead to shape and deliver clinical development programmes across a portfolio of neurological diseases, with a focus on advanced therapies. In a rapidly growing biotechnology environment, the role will drive late-stage development, evidence generation, market entry and launch readiness.

Reporting directly to the Chief Medical Officer, the successful candidate will combine strong scientific and clinical development expertise with the

Qualifications

• Extensive clinical development experience in biotech settings.
• Proven track record in Phase II and Phase III programmes.
• Experience building programmes beyond traditional trials, incl. evidence generation and launch readiness.
• Interaction with regulators, physicians and HTA bodies.
• Experience in gene therapy or advanced therapy modalities.
• Experience with diagnostics including IVD/companion diagnostics or software tools.
• Contributions to regulatory submissions and trial applications.
• Able to work in a lean, entrepreneurial biotech environment.
• Strong cross-functional leadership and stakeholder management.
• Experience incorporating AI or digital methods into development.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute clinical development plans aligned with portfolio strategy.
• Lead Phase II/III trial design and protocol development.
• Provide clinical input into regulatory submissions and CTA applications.
• Develop evidence-generation strategies for market access and adoption.
• Collaborate with regulators, physicians, external experts and HTA bodies.
• Lead medical data review and interpretation of emerging evidence.
• Support late-stage launch and evidence-readiness activities.
• Assist with budget development, forecasting, and clinical programme planning.
• Work across Clinical Operations, Regulatory, Medical, Commercial and other teams.

Skills

Clinical development

Phase II/III

Regulatory submissions

Evidence generation

Gene therapy

Diagnostics

Leadership

AI/digital approaches

Market access

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

PhD / PharmD / MSc or equivalent

Job description

CPL Life Sciences are seeking an experienced Clinical Development Lead to help shape and deliver clinical development programmes across a portfolio of neurological diseases, with a particular focus on advanced therapies.

Working within a rapidly growing biotechnology environment, this position will play a key role in progressing clinical-stage programmes through late-stage development, evidence generation, market entry and launch readiness.

Reporting directly to the Chief Medical Officer, the successful candidate will combine strong scientific and clinical development expertise with the ability to operate effectively in a lean, entrepreneurial and fast-moving environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute clinical development plans aligned with broader commercial and portfolio strategy.
• Lead and contribute to Phase II and Phase III clinical trial design, including protocol development.
• Provide clinical and scientific input into regulatory submissions and CTA applications.
• Develop evidence-generation strategies extending beyond the clinical trial programme to support future market access and adoption.
• Work closely with regulators, physicians, external experts and HTA bodies.
• Lead ongoing medical and clinical data review, supporting interpretation of emerging clinical evidence.
• Contribute to launch and evidence-readiness activities for late-stage programmes.
• Support budget development, forecasting and broader financial planning for clinical programmes.
• Work collaboratively across Clinical Operations, Regulatory, Medical, Commercial and other relevant functions.

Essential Experience & Qualifications

• Extensive experience in clinical development within a biotechnology environment.
• Strong experience across Phase II and Phase III programmes.
• Experience developing clinical programmes beyond the traditional clinical trial setting, including evidence generation and launch readiness.
• Experience interacting with regulatory authorities, physicians and HTA stakeholders.
• Experience in gene therapy or other advanced therapy modalities.
• Experience within diagnostics, including IVD, companion diagnostics and/or software-based diagnostic tools.
• Scientific qualification such as a PhD, PharmD, MSc or equivalent.
• Experience contributing to regulatory submissions and clinical trial applications.
• Ability to work effectively within a lean, entrepreneurial and rapidly evolving biotech environment.
• Strong cross-functional communication, leadership and stakeholder-management skills.
• Experience incorporating AI, digital technologies or novel methodologies into clinical development.
• Exposure to the interface between clinical development, evidence generation, market access and commercial strategy.