Head of APAC Business Development (In-Licensing) | Biopharma

Ethos BeathChapman; Singapore; On-site; SGD 180,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

Ethos BeathChapman is seeking a regional head of in-licensing to build and lead origination across APAC from Singapore. The role offers high autonomy, direct access to the CEO and Board, and the chance to shape a pan-regional sourcing function from scratch.

You will originate and screen early-to-mid-stage assets across APAC, partner with a Europe-based BD counterpart, and drive deal structuring with internal and external counsel.

Qualifications

• Senior BD/licensing or corporate development experience in biotech or pharma.
• Strong APAC network, especially in China.
• Proven track record in sourcing and closing in-licensing, out-licensing or M&A deals for early-to-mid-stage assets.

Responsibilities

• Source and originate in-licensing opportunities for differentiated early-to-mid-stage assets across APAC.
• Build and maintain a high-quality pipeline aligned to portfolio strategy and risk/return criteria.
• Lead early scientific and commercial screening, working with clinical and project leads on deeper diligence.
• Support deal structuring and negotiation with the COO and external counsel.
• Represent the company at partnering events, conferences and scientific forums across the region.
• Prepare recommendations for portfolio review and Board discussions.

Skills

Senior BD

Licensing experience

APAC network

Negotiation

Mandarin preferred

Entrepreneurial mindset

Job description

Build a regional in-licensing engine from day one: China-focused, therapy-agnostic, Singapore-based.

The opportunity

Rare founding-team seat, high autonomy, direct access to the CEO and Board, and the chance to shape a pan-regional sourcing function from scratch

This is a newly created role. You will lead in-licensing origination across APAC, with a strong emphasis on China’s fast-growing biotech ecosystem. You will partner directly with the CEO and a small senior team, alongside a Europe-based BD counterpart, to build a continuously refreshed funnel of differentiated early-to-mid-stage assets and convert it into signed transactions.

What you’ll do

• Source and originate in-licensing opportunities for differentiated early-to-mid-stage assets across APAC
• Build and maintain a high-quality pipeline aligned to portfolio strategy and risk/return criteria
• Lead early scientific and commercial screening, working with clinical and project leads on deeper diligence
• Support deal structuring and negotiation with the COO and external counsel
• Represent the company at partnering events, conferences and scientific forums across the region
• Prepare recommendations for portfolio review and Board discussions

What you bring

• Senior BD, licensing or corporate development experience in biotech or pharma
• A strong, active network across APAC, especially in China
• A track record of sourcing and closing in-licensing, out-licensing or M&A deals for early-to-mid-stage assets
• The scientific fluency to credibly screen assets across therapy areas and modalities
• Comfort in a lean, high-velocity platform rather than a large BD organisation
• Professional proficiency in Mandarin is strongly preferred to support business development, partner engagement and negotiations with Chinese biotech companies. Candidates must be based in Singapore or willing to relocate to Singapore.
• An entrepreneurial, self-directed mindset, with demonstrated experience working across international organisations and Asian biotech markets.

AM
Reg. No. R1110770
BeathChapman Pte Ltd
Licence no. 16S8112