Head of Translational Medicine - Rapport Therapeutics

Rapport Therapeutics is seeking our first Head of Translational Medicine,which will be responsible for advancing the science of early development, bridging across research, preclinical and early development functions to define initial biochemical activity in first clinical CNS indications.  S/he will be responsible for designing and implementing a strategy for optimal integration of early clinical development and for defining the paths toward clinical Proof of Concept (PoC). 

Job Responsibilities:

• Be a key leader to guide drug discovery projects to clinical evaluation for programs focused on neurological and neuropsychiatric diseases.
• Guide disease selection, pre-clinical disease validation, and clinical endpoints.
• Provide clinical perspectives to preclinical sciences, develop target product profiles for preclinical programs, strategically guide IND-enabling preclinical studies that will support clinical plans.
• Relate science/mechanisms of action to expected clinical profile for new indications.
• Select, validate and develop clinical biomarkers to demonstrate proof of mechanism, support dose selection and understand PK/PD relationship.
• Participate in defining criteria for medical needs and in new target selection.
• Collaborate with both the basic science teams and clinical development teams, as well as oversee consultants and third party service providers supporting the Translational Medicine program.
• Work with senior leadership to help represent the company as a senior translational/medical spokesperson before appropriate scientific, medical, regulatory, business and other professional meetings.
• Serve as translational medicine representative to Business Development efforts in the evaluation and implementation of partnerships, joint ventures, and in-/out-licensing opportunities.

Required Qualifications and Experience:

• Ph.D and/or MD and 5+ years of industry experience
• Clinician or clinical disease expert with background in CNS, specifically epilepsy, neuropsych, clinical depression, and anxiety
• Strong track record in translational medicine including hands-on experience taking small molecules through preclinical development into the clinic
• Knowledge CNS diseases and their relevance to the clinic
• Direct experience and/or training in CNS required
• Knowledge of applied research sufficient to understand how translational science enables the evolution into Clinical Development
• Ability to collaborate with internal and external multi-disciplinary research and development teams
• Experience developing novel approaches to clinical development in partnership with the FDA will be a plus
• Strong ability to influence and lead without formal authority

Other experience:

• Ability to oversee collaborations with CROs and academic centers
• Extensive contacts and well-developed relationships within the academic scientific community and regulatory agency
• Exceptional analytical and problem-solving abilities
• Experience with the regulatory environment
• Understanding of clinical evidence base and active research behind the use of molecular markers in treatment selection
• Excellent written and verbal communication capabilities
• Excellent collaborative skills and ability to work in cross functional teams