Interim Medical Lead - Rare disease startup

JR United Kingdom; Aberdeen City; Remote; GBP 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company is looking for an experienced Interim Medical & Scientific Affairs Lead to oversee the UK launch of a novel orphan therapy. This strategic role involves guiding medical governance, ensuring scientific engagement, and requires ABPI Final Signatory certification. Ideal candidates will possess strong medical affairs experience and familiarity with rare diseases.

Qualifications

• Experienced ABPI Final Signatory required.
• Strong leadership in Medical Affairs essential.
• Exposure to rare diseases or orphan drugs preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead Medical & Scientific Affairs for UK launch.
• Shape medical governance framework and strategy.
• Support scientific engagement ahead of UK launch.

Skills

Medical Affairs leadership

Compassionate Use

Ophthalmology

Rare disease exposure

Education

ABPI Final Signatory certification

Job description

Interim Medical & Scientific Affairs Lead (Final Signatory)

Location:

UK/Remote

Start:

June/July 2025

Focus:

Rare Disease | Ophthalmology

Job Description:

An exciting opportunity for an experienced ABPI Final Signatory to lead the Medical & Scientific Affairs function for the UK launch of a first-in-class orphan-designated therapy in ophthalmology.

This is a strategic interim role supporting early access, governance, and scientific engagement ahead of a landmark UK launch in 2026.

Key Points:

• ABPI Final Signatory certification (essential)
• Strong Medical Affairs leadership experience
• Rare disease or orphan drug exposure is a plus
• Compassionate Use or Named Patient Programme experience (nice to have)
• Ophthalmology background (nice to have)
• Fully remote with occasional travel

This is a startup situation, so you will be shaping the medical governance framework, driving scientific strategy, and partnering cross-functionally to ensure a successful pre-launch phase within a lean, agile setup.

Contract: Approximately 6–9 months, through to post-launch readiness.

If you are interested, please get in touch to arrange a confidential discussion.

Tags:

#MedicalAffairs #InterimRole #ABPIFinalSignatory #RareDiseases #OrphanDrugs #Ophthalmology #EarlyAccess #HealthcareLeadership #MedicalStrategy #PharmaceuticalIndustry #LifeSciencesJobs #MedicalDirector #ContractRoles #BiotechJobs #LaunchExcellence #HTA #NICE #ClinicalDevelopment #PatientAccess #CompassionateUse