VP, Preclinical Development Leader

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 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.