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Medicinal Chemistry Lead

Do you want to be part of an inclusive team that works to develop innovative therapies for patients? Every day, we are driven to develop and deliver innovative and effective new medicines to patients and physicians. If you want to be part of this exciting work, you belong at Astellas!

Astellas Pharma Inc. is a pharmaceutical company conducting business in more than 70 countries around the world. We are committed to turning innovative science into medical solutions that bring value and hope to patients and their families. Keeping our focus on addressing unmet medical needs and conducting our business with ethics and integrity enables us to improve the health of people throughout the world. For more information on Astellas, please visit our website at www.astellas.com .

Astellas is announcing a **Medicinal Chemistry Lead** opportunity at their Astellas Innovation Management (AIM) site in Cambridge, MA.

Purpose:

As Senior Medicinal Chemist in Innovation Lab (I-Lab), the successful candidate is expected to play a pivotal role in the design, synthesis, and optimization of small molecule drug candidates. The successful candidate for this position will lead and manage medicinal chemistry programs from early discovery through Clinical Candidate nomination and IND submission. The successful candidate will contribute to the scientific direction for discovery programs and ensures alignment with organizational goals. The role includes leadership responsibilities, cross-functional collaboration, and oversight of CRO partnerships and external collaborations

Essential Job Responsibilities:

+ Project Leadership: Serve as medicinal chemistry lead or co-lead in research programs, setting project goals, defining plans, and allocating resources

+ Drug Design & Synthesis: Design and synthesize novel compounds based on ADME and SAR principles; optimize lead molecules for potency, selectivity, and pharmacokinetics.

+ Data Analysis & Reporting: Analyze experimental data with scientific rigor; prepare detailed research reports and present findings internally and externally.

+ Cross-functional Collaboration: Work closely with biology, pharmacology, protein science, and preclinical teams to ensure drug candidates meet efficacy and safety standards. Participate in program-related meetings and contribute strategic insights

+ Intellectual Property: Identify and protect IP through patent filings and strategic documentation. Ensure accurate documentation of compound synthesis and project data

+ Foster a collaborative, transparent, and creative team environment that drives innovation and invention. Close partnership with colleagues in Japan is expected.

+ Technology Integration: Explore and apply cutting-edge technologies and global scientific trends to enhance research capabilities

+ Stay current with scientific literature and emerging technologies

+ Manage project priorities and CRO/external resources to avoid confusion about direct line management responsibilities

CRO Management

+ Oversee chemistry execution at CROs, including troubleshooting and performance enhancement

+ Evaluate and onboard new CROs to improve cost-efficiency and research quality

+ Maintain weekly communication and productivity tracking with CRO teams

Qualifications

Required:

+ PhD in Medicinal Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, or related life sciences field.

+ Strong knowledge of synthetic chemistry, SAR, ADME, and pharmacokinetic

+ Proven experience managing CRO relationships and external collaboration

+ More than 10 years of drug discovery experience in pharma/biotech with interdisciplinary global experience, including strategy and execution, and matrix team management

+ Deep understanding of advancements in drug discovery, emerging technologies, and industry trends, and experience applying this knowledge to enhance research strategies.

Technical Expertise:

+ Deep knowledge of medicinal chemistry, drug design, and synthetic methodologies.

+ Experience in small molecule design, heterobivalent degraders and covalent molecules. Knowledge in macrocycles and/or peptide chemistry is a plus.

+ Experience in external collaborations and cross-functional leadership

+ Proficiency in analytical techniques (NMR, LC-MS, HPLC) and cheminformatics tools

+ Familiarity with regulatory science and early-phase development processes

Skills:

+ Strong collaboration and teamwork abilities.

+ Excellent oral and written communication in English.

+ Strategic thinking and problem-solving capabilities

+ Strong communication and influencing skills

+ Highly collaborative win-win mindset is essential

Working Environment:

+ This position is based in Cambridge, MA and will require on-site work.

Benefits:

+ Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance

+ Generous Paid Time Off options, including Vacation, Sick time, plus national holidays including Heritage Days, and Summer and Winter Breaks

+ 401(k) match and annual company contribution

+ Company paid life insurance

+ Annual Corporate Bonus and Quarterly Sales Incentive for eligible positions

+ Long Term Incentive Plan for eligible positions

+ Referral bonus program

\#LI-TR1

Category Innovation Incubation Lab US

Astellas is committed to equality of opportunity in all aspects of employment.

EOE including Disability/Protected Veterans