VP Translational Medicine

Company Description
NeoPhore is a UK-based biotech company targeting the DNA mismatch repair (“MMR”) pathway to discover the next generation of small molecule cancer immunotherapies. NeoPhore collaborates closely with many academic and commercial organisations, including scientific founders Professor Alberto Bardelli and Dr Giovanni Germano at the University of Milan, Italy, and Dr Luis Diaz at MSKCC, New York.
NeoPhore currently has 13 full time employees including a dedicated internal Cancer Cell Biology (CCB) laboratory based at City St George’s University, in South London. NeoPhore now seeks a VP Translational Medicine to drive successful translation of our lead small molecule program into clinical studies.

Role Description
• To compile, prioritise, lead, drive, and successfully deliver the NeoPhore clinical translation strategy on time and within budget.
• The successful candidate will drive the strategy, tactics, and completion of studies and reports necessary to translate preclinical biomarkers into clinical studies; for example, patient selection and stratification, target engagement, functional, and proof-of-principle biomarkers.
• To be responsible for biomarker development in collaboration with external partners and for delivery of in vivo preclinical studies (PKPD, efficacy, biomarker validation and certification) to position NeoPhore for on-time IND and/or EMA filing and smooth progression to informed data-driven clinical studies.
• Key to the role is prioritisation of internal and external resources to deliver Company milestones within an agreed budget and timeframe.
• To deliver concise, coherent, and fit-for-purpose, high quality oral and written reporting of progress to the Board, Investors and other Stakeholders.
• To coordinate and compile the relevant sections of IND and EMA filing documents, clinical protocols, and responses to reviewer comments with high quality and attention to detail, and in a timely manner.
• The role reports to the CSO and works closely with CMO and Director of Biology to drive the translational strategy of the internal CCB lab and partner organisations.

Previous Experience
• The candidate must have successfully led the translational biology and biomarker strategy of at least one oncology program (ideally small molecule) to proof-of-concept clinical studies within the last 10 years. This must include significant contribution to the associated IND and/or CTA regulatory filings, clinical trial protocols, and responses to reviewer comments.
• Experience and first-hand knowledge of the requirements for IND and EMA regulatory filings from a biology, clinical biomarker, and PKPD perspective is essential.
• Experience of working with external partner organisations to deliver successful biomarker readouts in clinical studies that have driven clinical decision making is essential.
• Experience and understanding of in vivo PKPD models, their interpretation and application in preclinical and clinical dose prediction is essential.
• An in depth understanding of in vitro and in vivo cancer biology, including in vivo preclinical models is essential; experience of immuno-oncology in vivo preclinical models is highly desirable; in particular, biomarkers of immune response.
• Experience and understanding of human genetic data and the skills to successfully interact with bioinformatics experts to guide patient selection and to characterise patient responses.

Behavioural Attributes
• The ideal candidate will possess a strong desire to work in a fast-moving small molecule-focused oncology translational research environment and needs to be highly self-motivated and organised.
• Evidence for a track record of building successful partnerships and networks both internally and externally
• The candidate must demonstrate evidence for a strong team ethic with excellent inter-personal skills for building and maintaining good working relationships, both internally and with partners and collaborators.
• The successful candidate must be able to communicate clearly, concisely, and effectively with team members, internal stakeholders, external partners, and regulatory agencies.
• Evidence for attention to detail, highly organised and successful time-management, and an ability to work under pressure towards tight deadlines.
• Evidence for active listening skills that enable effective implementation of plans agreed in team discussions.

Qualifications
• PhD and/or MD in a highly relevant field

Appointment Details:
The full-time position is home-based with regular visits to the CCB laboratory facilities, based at City St George’s University, London, UK, and reporting to the CSO. Compensation package to be agreed according to experience, including competitive salary, as well as benefits.