Senior Manager, Biologics Drug Product Development

Otsuka Pharmaceutical Companies (U.S.); United States; On-site; USD 150,000 - 224,000; Full time

Job summary

Otsuka Pharmaceutical Companies (U.S.) is seeking a Senior Manager to lead Biologics Drug Product Development with a focus on formulation and aseptic filling for clinical and commercial programs. You will guide cross‑functional teams and external partners to ensure robust, scalable processes.

Responsibilities include strategy development, tech transfer, and risk management within a cGMP framework, with travel up to 25%.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree with 10+ years of work experience in biologics DP development or advanced degree with 7+ years
• Experience in formulation development for protein therapeutics and high‑concentration formulations
• Hands‑on experience with automated aseptic filling lines in isolator/RABS environments
• Strong knowledge of QbD, DoE, analytical characterization and regulatory expectations

Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership for Drug Product development activities across multiple biologics programs
• Lead due diligence for licensing opportunities related to Drug Product
• Design and optimize phase‑appropriate formulations using DoE and QbD principles
• Develop and scale automated aseptic filling processes for vials and PFS
• Collaborate with Analytical Development, MSAT, Manufacturing, QA, Regulatory; mentor junior scientists

Skills

Formulation development

Aseptic filling process

QbD principles

DoE (Quality by Design)

cGMP experience

Tech transfer

Risk assessments (FMEA)

Project leadership

External collaboration

Education

Degree in chemistry/biochemistry/chemical engineering/biology

Tools

JMP

Minitab

Job description

Senior Manager – Biologics Drug Product Development (Formulation & Filling)

To support our rapidly expanding biologics portfolio of assets, we are seeking a highly skilled technical leader to join our Biologics Drug Product Development team with a primary focus on formulation development and aseptic filling process development for clinical and commercial programs. In addition to hands‑on experience, the ideal candidate will have experience partnering with and providing scientific guidance to external contract research, development and manufacturing organizations. This role will lead formulation design and characterization for parenteral biologics (e.g., mAbs, recombinant proteins, novel biologics modalities) and develop/scale automated filling processes across vials and prefilled syringes. Experience with lyophilization is optional but will strengthen the applicant’s candidacy. The ideal candidate combines deep understanding of protein/excipient interactions and colloidal/physical stability with hands‑on expertise in isolator/RABS‑based automated filling lines with requisite clean room requirements, and GMP technology transfer.

Key Responsibilities

Technical Leadership

• Provide technical leadership for Drug Product development activities for multiple biologics programs.
• Provide technical leadership for the due diligence activities in support of Drug Product function for in/out licensing opportunities.

Formulation Development

• Deep understanding of Protein sequence, structure and function relationship and the impact of charge distribution and excipients on the short‑term and long‑term stability.
• Design and optimize phase‑appropriate formulations using QbD principles and DoE, considering pH, buffer systems, ionic strength, surfactants, tonicity agents, antioxidants, bulking agents, cryo‑/lyoprotectants.
• Demonstrable experience in developing high‑concentration formulations for monoclonal antibodies and/or liquid stable formulations for complex/unstable protein architectures.
• Conduct comprehensive stability and stress studies (thermal, agitation, freeze–thaw, light) and establish key degradation pathways (aggregation, fragmentation, oxidation, deamidation).
• Develop and execute shipping studies to establish and validate shipping lanes for commercial manufacturing and supply.
• Perform (or direct studies at CDMOs) analytical/biophysical characterization in partnership with Analytical Development: DLS, SEC‑MALS, CEX, icIEF, r/nr CE‑SDS, subvisible particles, submicron particles, viscosity, osmolality, reconstitution profiles (for lyophilized formulations), and higher order structures.

Automated Aseptic Filling Process Development

• Develop and scale automated aseptic filling processes (small‑to‑pilot‑scale through clinical/commercial) in isolator or RABS environments.
• Define and implement control strategies, validation protocols, and process characterization studies in accordance with Quality by Design (QbD) principles.
• Optimize and validate filling accuracy and precision across various filling systems including peristaltic pumps; establish IPCs (in‑process controls), in‑line weight checks, and setup for line clearance, sterile connections, and changeover.
• Implement single‑use fluid paths, component preparation (depyrogenation, siliconization oversight for PFS as needed), and sterile filtration strategies
• Assess container closure systems (vials, stoppers, seals, PFS, cartridges) for compatibility, E&L risk, silicone oil interactions, tungsten, break loose and glide force; partner to qualify vendors and components.
• Author/review process descriptions, batch records, and tech transfer packages; execute transfers to internal GMP or CDMO sites; provide on‑floor support during engineering runs, PPQ, and clinical/commercial campaigns.
• Author protocols/reports, contribute to CMC sections (Module 3), and support regulatory responses.
• Ensure compliance with cGMP and global health authority expectations for aseptic processing and visual inspection.
• Lead/participate in risk assessments (FMEA), deviation/CAPA resolution, and change control.
• Collaborate closely with Analytical Development, MSAT, Manufacturing, QA, Supply Chain, and Regulatory; mentor junior scientists; contribute to portfolio planning and timelines.

Qualifications And Job Requirements

Basic

• A degree in chemistry, biochemistry, chemical engineering, or biology and relevant practical experience working in a cGMP regulated environment. Bachelor’s degree with 10+ years of work experience, or Master’s degree with 7+ years of work experience, or PhD degree with 5+ years of work experience.

Preferred

• Demonstrated expertise in formulation development for protein therapeutics: excipient screening, stability/stress studies, and biophysical characterization.
• Hands‑on experience developing automated aseptic filling processes for vials and/or PFS/cartridges in isolator/RABS setups, including filling system setup and optimization (peristaltic, piston, or time‑pressure).
• Experience with high‑concentration proteins (viscosity management, syringeability/injectability) and device compatibility (syringes, autoinjectors).
• Experience with visual inspection (manual/automated), container closure integrity (CCI), and leachables/extractables.
• Familiarity with sterile filtration, and fluid path design (tubing, connectors, manifolds).
• Practical knowledge of cGMP, Annex 1, ICH Q8/Q9/Q10, data integrity (ALCOA+), and 21 CFR Part 11.
• Strong technical writing skills (protocols, reports, risk assessments) and experience with tech transfer to GMP or CDMO sites.
• Traveling up to 25% of time.
• Statistical analysis proficiency (DoE tools, JMP/Minitab) and QbD control strategy development.

Competencies

Accountability for Results - Stay focused on key strategic objectives, be accountable for high standards of performance, and take an active role in leading change.

Strategic Thinking & Problem Solving - Make decisions considering the long‑term impact to customers, patients, employees, and the business.

Patient & Customer Centricity - Maintain an ongoing focus on the needs of our customers and/or key stakeholders.

Impactful Communication - Communicate with logic, clarity, and respect. Influence at all levels to achieve the best results for Otsuka.

Respectful Collaboration - Seek and value others’ perspectives and strive for diverse partnerships to enhance work toward common goals.

Empowered Development - Play an active role in professional development as a business imperative.

Company benefits

Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, prescription drug coverage, company provided basic life, accidental death & dismemberment, short‑term and long‑term disability insurance, tuition reimbursement, student loan assistance, a generous 401(k) match, flexible time off, paid holidays, and paid leave programs as well as other company provided benefits. Come discover more about Otsuka and our benefit offerings; https://ah‑prod.com/multi/videoplayer/player.html?v=6385356920112.

Application Deadline

This will be posted for a minimum of 5 business days.

Salary

Minimum $150,034.00 - Maximum $224,250.00, plus incentive opportunity: The range shown represents a typical pay range or starting pay for individuals who are hired in the role to perform in the United States. Other elements may be used to determine actual pay such as the candidate’s job experience, specific skills, and comparison to internal incumbents currently in role. Typically, actual pay will be positioned within the established range, rather than at its minimum or maximum. This information is provided to applicants in accordance with states and local laws.

Otsuka is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will be given consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity or gender expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, religion, national origin, veteran status, marital status, or any other legally protected characteristic.

If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran, you may request a reasonable accommodation, if you are unable or limited in your ability to apply to this job opening as a result of your disability. You can request reasonable accommodations by contacting [e-mail].

Otsuka America Pharmaceutical Inc., Otsuka Pharmaceutical Development & Commercialization, Inc., and Otsuka Precision Health, Inc. (“Otsuka”) does not accept unsolicited assistance from search firms for employment opportunities. All CVs/resumes submitted by search firms to any Otsuka employee directly or through Otsuka’s application portal without a valid written search agreement in place for the position will be considered Otsuka’s sole property. No fee will be paid if a candidate is hired by Otsuka as a result of an agency referral where no pre‑existing agreement is in place. Where agency agreements are in place, introductions are position specific. Please, no phone calls or emails.