Executive Director, AIRx Program Lead: Biologics

Quincy, MA, USA|Onsite

Job Overview

Compensation

Salary

Range $238,000.00 - $374,000.00

Benefits

Medical insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

401(k) Plan

short-term disability

long-term disability

Paid Time Off

Job Description

Takeda Pharmaceuticals is a global, values-driven, R&D-focused biopharmaceutical leader headquartered in Japan with a strong commitment to delivering innovative medicines to improve patients' lives worldwide. Takeda Research is a pioneering entity within the company that is building the Lab of Tomorrow—a cutting-edge environment powered by AI, automation, and new operational methods designed to accelerate the drug discovery process and deliver differentiated therapies to the clinic quickly and cost-effectively. As part of this initiative, Takeda is creating two distinct but complementary units: the AI Research Accelerator (AIRx) and Discovery Automation & Robotics (DAR). These units are designed to foster agility and innovation akin to that of biotech firms, paired with the extensive resources and expertise of a leading pharmaceutical company.

The AI Research Accelerator (AIRx) is focused on biologic drug discovery, housing a team of top-tier biologic drug hunters and emphasizing AI-powered operating models for the design and development of large molecule therapeutics. This unit is engineered to remove traditional biotech structural inefficiencies, accelerating the path from molecule design to clinical candidate nomination with speed and high success rates.

The role of AIRx Biologics Program Lead is crucial within this groundbreaking framework. This position holds responsibility over the scientific and strategic leadership of 2 to 3 large molecule discovery programs, encompassing modalities such as antibodies, bispecifics, and fusion proteins. The lead works in a highly collaborative environment alongside experts in computational protein science, AI/ML, protein structure, and translational biology. This role demands a visionary leader who can steer these programs at an accelerated pace, ensuring that the rapid progression is matched by scientific rigor and therapeutic potential. The individual will manage all phases from modality selection through preclinical development to Investigational New Drug (IND) filing.

Key accountabilities include defining and evolving program strategies that incorporate developability and manufacturability considerations, evaluating and prioritizing biologic candidates based on scientific and commercial metrics, and driving AI-enabled iterative design and test cycles for optimized protein engineering. The Program Lead will collaborate extensively with clinical and translational teams to align asset strategies with patient selection and biomarker approaches. Additionally, the role requires management of external CROs and CDMOs and serving as a business development ambassador to identify and assess external opportunities for novel platforms and licensing candidates. The position is based in Cambridge, MA, and operates under a hybrid work model.

This leadership role offers an exceptional opportunity for seasoned professionals with a proven track record of leading biologic discovery programs from target inception to the clinic. Takeda offers competitive compensation, with a base salary range between $238,000 and $374,000 and comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, vision insurance, 401(k) with company match, paid volunteer time off, and more. The company is deeply committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion, providing equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants.

Job Requirements

Advanced degree in protein biochemistry, structural biology, molecular biology, immunology, or related life sciences
proven experience leading biologic discovery programs to clinic
strong expertise in protein engineering and biologic drug discovery process
ability to manage cross-functional teams and external partners
familiarity with AI/ML applications in drug discovery
excellent communication and leadership skills
capability to develop and execute strategic program plans
knowledgeable in DMPK and CMC considerations

Job Qualifications

Advanced degree in protein biochemistry, structural biology, molecular biology, immunology, or related life sciences (PhD, MD, or DVM)
PhD strongly preferred
15+ years of industry experience with deep subject matter expertise in biologic drug discovery
at least 10 years in scientific leadership roles within large molecule programs
proven track record leading 5+ biologic programs across discovery from target inception to Candidate Nomination or beyond
minimum 3 biologic INDs required (antibody, bispecific, or fusion protein programs preferred)
deep knowledge of the biologic drug discovery and development process including target identification, hit generation (phage/yeast display, hybridoma, single B cell), lead optimization, developability assessment, and IND-enabling CMC and toxicology activities
expertise in protein engineering principles including affinity maturation, CDR optimization, Fc engineering, bispecific/multispecific antibody formats, linker design, and fusion protein architecture
strong AI/ML exposure and digital-forward scientific mindset
experience leveraging AI in protein design
solid understanding of large molecule DMPK including FcRn-mediated recycling, half-life extension strategies, subcutaneous absorption, immunogenicity risk assessment, and PK/PD modeling for dose projection
familiarity with biologic CMC considerations covering expression systems (different hosts and stable cell line generation), purification, analytical characterization, and early formulation development as inputs to candidate selection
excellent and inclusive leadership
able to inspire and motivate cross-functional protein engineering, biology, and translational teams towards ambitious goals
exceptional communication skills
able to convey complex large molecule science to senior governance audiences and distill developability trade-offs into clear strategic recommendations
demonstrated success building strategic CRO and CDMO partnerships for biologics
strong business acumen including regulatory (BLA/MAA pathway) and commercial awareness

Job Duties

Lead and manage multiple biologic drug discovery projects in an AI-forward manner with urgency
oversee the entire discovery process from modality selection through preclinical development and IND filing
define, articulate, and evolve the program strategy for antibody, bispecific, fusion protein, or other large molecule modalities
build the medicine vision and early asset strategy including developability and manufacturability considerations
evaluate and prioritize biologic candidates based on scientific, clinical, CMC, and commercial considerations
balance potency, selectivity, half-life, immunogenicity risk, protein stability and expression yield in go/no-go decisions
lead and enable rapid, AI-enabled Design and Test cycles for protein engineering
ensure generative protein design and structure-prediction outputs are translated into clear experimental recommendations and fast, decisive go/no-go outcomes
drive sequence optimization, affinity maturation, Fc engineering, and formulation-ready candidate selection using integrated computational and experimental platforms
partner with Clinical and Translational teams to refine asset strategy
ensure clinical line of sight from early discovery including patient selection, biomarker strategy, and dose projection from PK/PD modeling
manage external CROs and CDMOs providing protein expression, purification, in vitro pharmacology, and GLP toxicology services
ensure timelines are met and data is decision-ready
represent Takeda externally for AIRx Biologics
evaluate external opportunities including platform technologies, novel modalities, and in-licensing candidates
serve as BD ambassador
ensure programs are delivered at pace with disciplined cost stewardship, contributing to a sustainable, high-quality pipeline of biologic INDs and informing broader portfolio strategy