VP, Product Development

AskBio•Durham, NC

7d•Onsite

About The Position

The VP, Product Development will lead research and discovery efforts to drive innovation and advance preclinical pipeline. This role will be pivotal in advancing AskBio’s pipeline of breakthrough genetic medicines by working closely with cross-functional teams, including Delivery, Informatics/AI/ML, CMC, Translational, Regulatory and Clinical Teams, to unlock new therapeutic indications and transform scientific and technological innovation into therapeutic products. The VP, Product Development will report to our Chief Scientific Officer. This position is based in Research Triangle Park, NC and the successful candidate must be able to work on-site regularly.

Requirements

PhD in Molecular Biology, Virology, Genetics, or a related field with 12+ years of related experience (this can include a combination of post-doc/academic, industry, and similar experience)
Proven track record of advancing gene therapy candidates from early research through preclinical development
Experience in pre-IND and IND filing
Proven ability to think strategically, identify scientific opportunities, and translate them into actionable research plans
Outstanding leadership skills in building and fostering high-performing R&D teams in a fast-paced, innovation-driven environment
Strong knowledge of regulatory and quality requirements in the gene therapy/editing field
Excellent collaboration mindset and skills, with the ability to work effectively across cross-functional teams
Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain external collaborations with academic institutions, industry partners, and key opinion leaders
Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, with the ability to effectively present scientific findings to diverse audiences

Nice To Haves

Strong passion and knowledge in developing cutting-edge platform technologies (viral- and non-viral delivery) and incorporating them into product discovery and development
Experience in applying AI to target identification and product design

Responsibilities

Stay at the forefront of and drive innovation in genetic medicine, including gene therapy and gene editing
Lead and oversee research and discovery activities (target validation, in vitro and in vivo pharmacology) required to advance programs through candidate nomination with speed and quality
Collaborate with translational medicine and regulatory teams on IND‑enabling stages. Contribute to the preparation and submission of regulatory documents
Prioritize and execute pipeline programs including timely allocation of resourcing and capabilities to prioritized programs and budget oversight
Efficiently manage a team of scientists and researchers, fostering a culture of clarity and innovation through collaboration and scientific excellence
Empower, coach and guide the development of next-generation leaders
Partner closely with Delivery (viral and non-viral), Informatics/AI/ML and CMC to incorporate new platform technologies into products and bolster innovation
Partner closely with Clinical Development and Business Strategy teams to enable end-to-end Research and Development strategy and clarify Target Product Profile
Acting as part of the AskBio R&D Leadership Team and a member of the Research and Discovery Committee, contribute to AskBio’s R&D strategy, pipeline project prioritization and project execution.
Serve as a technical and strategic leader on external partnership discussions and execution, playing a critical role in due diligence and fostering external innovation