VP, Head of Preclinical Development

Legend Biotech; New Jersey; On-site; USD 294,483 - 386,511; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision insurance

401(k) with company match

Paid parental leave

Paid time off and holidays

Equity and bonus potential

Commuter benefits

Job summary

Legend Biotech in Somerset, NJ, seeks a Vice President, Head of Preclinical Development to lead the global preclinical program across in vitro pharmacology, in vivo pharmacology, and toxicology. This senior role will build and guide a high-performing team, set scientific standards, and serve as the external face for preclinical science.

The role oversees IND-enabling studies, collaborates with regulatory and partners, and shapes the development strategy for our cell and gene therapy portfolio.

Qualifications

• PhD in pharmacology or closely related discipline.
• Minimum 15 years of progressive experience in preclinical drug development.
• At least 5 years in a senior leadership role with IND-enabling program accountability.
• Deep expertise in at least two core functions: in vitro pharmacology, in vivo pharmacology, toxicology.
• Experience designing/overseeing GLP toxicology studies for IND.
• Experience in cell therapy, gene therapy, or advanced therapy development.
• Proven ability to lead and mentor high-performing scientific teams.

Responsibilities

• Define and execute a global preclinical development strategy from candidate nomination through IND-enabling studies.
• Serve as internal scientific authority on in vitro, in vivo pharmacology and toxicology; set standards and interpretation frameworks.
• Lead preclinical science for novel modalities including lentiviral vector-based in vivo CAR-T and gene-modified immune cell platforms.
• Integrate preclinical datasets (PK/PD/safety) into coherent narratives guiding clinical strategy and regulatory submissions.
• Provide rigorous preclinical risk assessments for new candidates and partnership assets.
• Own the preclinical component of IND submissions with integrated pharmacology/toxicology summaries.
• Build and develop a high-performing Preclinical Development team (in vitro, in vivo, toxicology).
• Foster a culture of scientific excellence, objectivity, and regulatory integrity; escalate safety signals promptly.

Skills

PhD in pharmacology

15+ years experience

senior leadership

IND-enabling studies

cell/gene therapy

CRO management

in vitro/in vivo/toxicology

Education

PhD in pharmacology

Job description

Legend Biotech is a global biotechnology company dedicated to treating, and one day curing, life-threatening diseases. Headquartered in Somerset, New Jersey, we are developing advanced cell therapies across a diverse array of technology platforms, including autologous and allogenic chimeric antigen receptor T-cell, T-cell receptor (TCR-T), and natural killer (NK) cell-based immunotherapy. From our three R&D sites around the world, we apply these innovative technologies to pursue the discovery of safe, efficacious and cutting-edge therapeutics for patients worldwide.

Legend Biotech entered into a global collaboration agreement with Janssen, one of the pharmaceutical companies of Johnson & Johnson, to jointly develop and commercialize ciltacabtagene autolecuel (cilta-cel). Our strategic partnership is designed to combine the strengths and expertise of both companies to advance the promise of an immunotherapy in the treatment of multiple myeloma.

Legend Biotech is seeking a VP, Head of Preclinical Development as part of the Early Drug Development team based in Somerset, NJ.

Role Overview

Legend Biotech is a clinical-stage biotech company developing cell therapies for hematological malignancies, solid tumors and autoimmune diseases. We are seeking an exceptional scientist-leader to serve as Vice President, Head of Preclinical Development. This is a senior, externally visible leadership role accountable for the full preclinical development program across in vitro pharmacology, in vivo pharmacology, and toxicology for all pipeline compounds globally. The person will build and lead a high-performing, integrated team, set scientific standards for the organization, and serve as the internal authority and external face for preclinical science across regulatory, partnership, and publication contexts.

Key Responsibilities

• Define and execute the preclinical development strategy across all pipeline program globally from candidate nomination through IND-enabling studies.
• Serve as the internal scientific authority on in vitro pharmacology, in vivo pharmacology, and toxicology — setting methodological standards, experimental design principles, and data interpretation frameworks.
• Lead preclinical science for novel modalities including lentiviral vector-based in vivo CAR-T, ex vivo cell therapies, and gene-modified immune cell platforms, with deep understanding of the unique preclinical characterization requirements of each
• Integrate preclinical datasets (PK, PD, safety, biodistribution etc) into coherent compound narratives that inform clinical development strategy, dose selection, and regulatory submissions.
• Contribute to portfolio decisions by providing rigorous preclinical risk assessments for new candidates, partnership assets, and lifecycle management opportunities.
• Own the preclinical component of IND applications, accountable for integrated pharmacology and toxicology summaries, study tabulations, and the Written Summary of nonclinical pharmacology and toxicology.
• Build, lead, and develop a high-performing Preclinical Development team comprising in vitro pharmacology scientists, in vivo pharmacology scientists, and toxicologists — both internal staff and embedded CRO personnel.
• Set a culture of scientific excellence, objectivity, and regulatory integrity — where data are interpreted accurately regardless of programme pressure and where safety signals are escalated promptly and without bias.
• Mentor and develop team members at all levels; create individual development plans, provide regular performance feedback, and support career progression.

Requirements

• PhD in pharmacology, toxicology, immunology, cell biology, or a closely related discipline.
• Minimum 15 years of progressive experience in preclinical drug development, with at least 5 years in a senior leadership role with direct accountability for IND-enabling programs.
• Deep expertise in at least two of the three core functions (in vitro pharmacology, in vivo pharmacology, toxicology), with working knowledge of the third.
• Demonstrated experience designing, overseeing, and interpreting GLP toxicology studies (repeat-dose NHP or rodent, safety pharmacology, genotoxicity) in support of IND filing.
• Experience in cell therapy, gene therapy, or advanced therapy development.
• Track record of successful IND submissions with clear accountability for the nonclinical pharmacology and toxicology sections.
• Experience managing CRO relationships for outsourced preclinical and GLP studies, including vendor qualification, protocol development, monitoring, and report review.
• Proven ability to lead, mentor, and build high-performing scientific teams in a fast-paced biotech environment.

The base pay range below is what Legend Biotech USA Inc. reasonably expects to offer at the time of posting. Actual compensation may vary based on experience, skills, qualifications, and geographic location. The company reserves the right to modify this range as needed and in accordance with applicable laws.

Other Types of Pay: Performance-based bonus and/or equity is available to employees in eligible roles.

Benefits and Paid Time Off: Medical, dental, and vision insurance as well as a 401(k) retirement plan with a company match that vests fully on day one. We offer eight (8) weeks of paid parental leave after just three (3) months of employment, and a paid time off policy that includes vacation time, personal time, sick time, floating holidays, and eleven (11) company holidays.

Additional voluntary benefits include flexible spending and health savings accounts, life and AD&D insurance, short- and long-term disability coverage, legal assistance, and supplemental plans such as pet, critical illness, accident, and hospital indemnity insurance. We also provide voluntary commuter benefits, family planning and care resources, well-being initiatives, and peer-to-peer recognition programs; demonstrating our ongoing commitment to building a culture where our people feel empowered, supported, and inspired to do their best work.

Pay Range (Base Pay): : $294,483 USD - $386,511 USD

Please note: These benefits are offered exclusively to permanent full-time employees. Contractors are not eligible for benefits through Legend Biotech.

EEO Statement

It is the policy of Legend Biotech to provide equal employment opportunities without regard to actual or perceived race, color, creed, religion, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, sex or gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, related medical conditions and lactation), gender identity or gender expression (including transgender status), sexual orientation, marital status, military service and veteran status, disability, genetic information, or any other protected characteristic under applicable federal, state or local laws or ordinances.

Employment is at-will and may be terminated at any time with or without cause or notice by the employee or the company.

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