Early Development Asset Lead Oncology

Ipsen Biopharmaceuticals Inc.; Greater London; On-site; GBP 100,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Ipsen Biopharm Ltd. is seeking an Early Development Asset Lead in Oncology to drive integrated strategy for one or more early-stage assets from nomination through first-in-human trials.

You will lead the Early Development Asset Team, align cross-functional plans, and present strategic options to governance bodies. A strong oncology background and experience with translational biology and regulatory filings are essential.

Qualifications

• PhD/MD/PharmD or equivalent with 10–15 years in multidisciplinary drug development.
• Strong oncology background with immuno-oncology or ADC exposure desirable.
• Experience with regulatory filings and development leadership.

Responsibilities

• Leads one or more Early Development Asset Teams and develops integrated program strategy.
• Coordinates cross-functional planning across preclinical to regulatory activities.
• Represents programs in governance meetings with clear scientific rationale.
• Helps build high-performing teams and align stakeholders around portfolio goals.
• Champions translational hypotheses and external evaluation for assigned programs.

Skills

Oncology expertise

Immuno-oncology

Translational strategy

Education

PhD/MD/PharmD or equivalent

Job description

Title:

Early Development Asset Lead Oncology

Company:

Ipsen Biopharm Ltd

About Ipsen:

Ipsen is a mid-sized global biopharmaceutical company with a focus on transformative medicines in three therapeutic areas: Oncology, Rare Disease and Neuroscience. Supported by nearly 100 years of development experience, with global hubs in the U.S., France and the U.K, we tackle areas of high unmet medical need through research and innovation.

Our passionate teams in more than 40 countries are focused on what matters and endeavor every day to bring medicines to patients in 88 countries. We build a workplace that champions human-centric leadership and fosters a culture of collaboration, excellence and impact. At Ipsen, every individual is empowered to be their true selves, grow and thrive alongside the company's success. Join us on our journey towards sustainable growth, creating real impact on patients and society!

For more information, visit us at https://www.ipsen.com/ and follow our latest news on LinkedIn and Instagram .

Job Description:

Early Development Asset Lead

Division / Function: Early Development and Innovation

Summary / Purpose of the Position

The Early Development Asset Lead (EDAL) is a scientific and program leadership role within Ipsen’s Early Development and Innovation organization, accountable for integrated development strategy and execution for one or more early-stage therapeutic assets from drug candidate nomination through first-in-human clinical trials.

The EDAL leads the Early Development Asset Team (EDT), a cross-functional matrix team spanning clinical, regulatory, CMC, translational, clinical pharmacology, nonclinical safety, and biomarkers, ensuring that each program advances with scientific rigor, strategic clarity, and accountability to portfolio decisions. The EDAL maintains alignment with Therapeutic Area strategy to ensure EDT plans support agreed portfolio priorities, and serves as the scientific champion for assigned programs, articulating project goals, scientific rationale, and clinical line of sight internally and externally. Depending on pipeline needs, the EDAL may represent Early Development in due diligence as the ED lead within a multidisciplinary global team.

Main Responsibilities / Job Expectations

Program Leadership and Strategy

• Leads one or more Early Development Asset Teams.
• Owns integrated program strategy across preclinical, translational, clinical, diagnostic, and regulatory activities.
• Develops and maintains integrated asset strategy, including target product profile, indication strategy, key development options, competitive context, and evidence required for decision-making.
• Ensures Early Development plans deliver against agreed Therapeutic Area strategy and portfolio priorities, with clear evidence-based rationale for stage-gate investment decisions.

Cross-Functional Planning and Execution

• Integrates input from critical functions and research teams to develop plans that balance scientific risk, timelines, cost, and clinical proof-of-concept potential.
• Ensures adequate resources to deliver approved plans, proactively identifies risks, and leads mitigation strategies.

Governance and Decision-Making

• Presents plans, data, risks, options, and recommendations to governance bodies with scientific credibility, while appropriately leveraging functional expertise.

Team Leadership and Communication

• Builds high-functioning teams through clear communication of program vision, roles, responsibilities, and decision-making expectations.
• Maintains a collaborative, inclusive team environment through influence, coaching, and active stakeholder alignment.

Scientific Leadership and External Evaluation

• Serves as the scientific champion for assigned programs, articulating project goals, translational hypotheses, and clinical strategy internally and externally.
• Contributes to due diligence for in-licensing opportunities and, depending on experience and pipeline need, may coordinate findings and present recommendations to governance.

Education and Experience

• PhD, MD, PharmD, or relevant advanced degree with a minimum of 10-15 years of multidisciplinary drug development experience in the pharmaceutical or biotech industry.
• The level offered will be commensurate with scope, independence, and depth of prior early development leadership experience.

Scientific and Development Expertise

• In-depth understanding of oncology required; experience in immuno-oncology and/or ADCs desirable.
• Broad cross-functional drug development knowledge, with experience in more than one functional area, such as nonclinical, translational, regulatory or clinical development, strongly preferred.
• Expertise in small molecules, biologics and novel modalities preferred.
• Experience developing and delivering translational strategies, including biomarker and precision medicine approaches in early-phaseclinical trials.
• Experience with regulatory filings