Vice President, Pharmaceutical Development

Scorpion Therapeutics; United States; On-site; USD 315,000 - 395,000; Full time

Job summary

Scorpion Therapeutics is seeking a visionary leader to define and drive the company’s pharmaceutical development strategy from discovery through clinical development. You will oversee preformulation, biopharmaceutics, and formulation development, aiming to address solubility, bioavailability, and delivery challenges while aligning with portfolio timelines.

You will manage a high-performing development team, engage CROs/CDMOs and external partners, and shape GMP-compliant programs with regulatory

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Pharmaceutics, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chemical Engineering, or related field; 18+ years relevant industry experience.
• Proven success leading pharmaceutical development strategy from discovery through clinical development.
• Strong knowledge of preformulation, biopharmaceutics, formulation development, and OSD manufacturing for small molecules.
• Deep expertise in formulation approaches for poorly soluble compounds and enabling technologies.
• Track record advancing programs through IND and clinical milestones and contributing to regulatory submissions.
• Strong GMP and regulatory knowledge and awareness of evolving industry trends.
• Experience building/managing high-performing teams and external partnerships.
• Excellent communication and leadership skills with technical, executive, partner, and regulatory engagement.

Responsibilities

• Define and lead the company’s pharmaceutical development strategy across the portfolio, aligning with priorities and timelines.
• Provide strategic leadership for preformulation, biopharmaceutics, and formulation development activities supporting discovery, preclinical, and clinical programs.
• Champion innovation in formulation sciences and enabling technologies to address delivery and bioavailability challenges.
• Drive development and implementation of phase-appropriate drug product development and manufacturing strategies.
• Lead a high-performing Pharmaceutical Development team and manage CROs, CDMOs, and strategic partners.
• Establish scalable processes, operational frameworks, and best practices to support portfolio growth.
• Provide strategic oversight of outsourced development and manufacturing activities to ensure quality and timelines.
• Lead CMC-related regulatory strategy for drug product development, submissions, and health authority interactions.
• Ensure compliance with GMP and regulatory requirements.
• Represent Pharmaceutical Development in due diligence, external collaborations, and cross-functional interactions.
• Contribute to risk assessment, resource prioritization, and investment decisions as part of Technical Operations leadership.
• Foster cross-functional partnerships across Research, Clinical, Regulatory, Quality, Supply Chain, and Program Management.

Skills

PhD in Pharmaceutics

18+ years experience

Development strategy leadership

Preformulation & biopharmaceutics

Oral solid dose formulation

IND & clinical milestones

GMP & regulatory knowledge

Team building & external partnerships

Education

PhD in Pharmaceutics or related field

Job description

How you’ll make an impact:

• Define and lead the company’s pharmaceutical development strategy across the portfolio, aligning with corporate priorities and development timelines.
• Provide strategic leadership for preformulation, biopharmaceutics, and formulation development activities supporting discovery, preclinical, and clinical-stage programs.
• Champion innovation in formulation sciences and enabling technologies to address complex drug delivery and bioavailability challenges.
• Drive development and implementation of phase-appropriate drug product development and manufacturing strategies.
• Lead a high-performing Pharmaceutical Development team and manage an external network of CROs, CDMOs, and strategic partners.
• Establish scalable processes, operational frameworks, and best practices to support portfolio growth.
• Provide strategic oversight of outsourced development and manufacturing activities to ensure quality, timelines, and technical objectives.
• Lead CMC-related regulatory strategy for drug product development, regulatory submissions, and health authority interactions.
• Ensure compliance with applicable GMP and regulatory requirements.
• Represent Pharmaceutical Development in due diligence, external collaborations, and cross-functional interactions.
• Contribute to risk assessment, resource prioritization, and investment decisions as part of Technical Operations leadership.
• Foster cross-functional partnerships across Research, Clinical, Regulatory, Quality, Supply Chain, and Program Management.

Skills and experience you’ll bring:

• Ph.D. in Pharmaceutics, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chemical Engineering, or related field; 18+ years relevant industry experience.
• Proven success leading pharmaceutical development strategy from discovery through clinical development; experience supporting commercialization readiness.
• Strong knowledge of preformulation, biopharmaceutics, formulation development, and oral solid dose manufacturing for small molecules.
• Deep expertise in formulation approaches for poorly soluble compounds and enabling technologies to improve bioavailability and product performance.
• Track record advancing programs through IND and clinical milestones and contributing to regulatory submissions.
• Strong GMP and regulatory knowledge and awareness of evolving industry trends.
• Experience building/managing high-performing teams and external partnerships.
• Excellent communication and leadership skills with technical, executive, partner, and regulatory engagement.

Compensation:

• Anticipated base salary range: $315,000–$395,000; eligibility for annual bonus, equity participation, and comprehensive benefits.