About Laekna Therapeutics

Founded in December 2016, Laekna Therapeutics is an innovative emerging Biotech company based in China’s “Zhangjiang Pharma Valley” and in New Jersey in the US, focused on developing ground-breaking innovative therapeutics to treat cancer and liver diseases.

Laekna Therapeutics is adopting a two-pronged strategy in new drug development. First, it continues to enrich its portfolio by introducing new drugs with the clinical Proof of Concept. The company has obtained the exclusive global rights of four new drug candidates from Novartis. In addition, the company has established internal discovery platforms for cancer and liver diseases, and will soon have self-developed candidates entering clinical stages.

Laekna has established a team of top global pharmaceutical talent and acquired key technologies. Its leadership team has over 20 years of experience in new drug development in China and the US, with an exceptional track record in R&D, new drug approvals and commercialization. In order to benefit patients, Laekna is committed to a science-based, innovation-driven approach to creating a leading clinical research and development pipeline, and developing first-in-class and best-in-class innovative drugs.

The detail Laekna Therapeutics information can be found from the website: http://www.leaknatp.com.

Job Summary:

The qualified candidate will be a key player involved in all parts of the Corporate and Business Development group value chain. You have a strong business acumen with experience in business development roles in the life sciences and biopharmaceutical industry predominantly in Oncology. Your efforts will have a direct impact on the company commercial strategy. You need to have strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work with a multitude of internal/external stakeholders to facilitate highly visible and time-sensitive business development projects.

Responsibilities

Strategy:

Support identification, evaluation and execution of potential investment, licensing, partnership, and/or acquisition opportunities in Asian market

Facilitates cross-functional coordination of due diligence efforts for opportunities of interest and ensures that assumptions are appropriately challenged and well validated by the relevant functional head

Support strategic projects related to function strategy, operations, and asset-specific deliverables.

Conduct market analysis, forecasting, and financial modeling as needed

Support the creation of business case presentations for senior leadership, executive management and Board of Directors articulating key deal issues, risks and critical assumptions underpinning the business case

Develop processes and enhance strategies for the management of various transaction structures to maximize quality of transactions

Support innovation from ideation to value proposition, to resourcing and funding, to implementation in partnership with stakeholders as applicable

Business Development:

Implement business development initiatives that are consistent with corporate strategy

Review and negotiate agreements to help ensure reflection of market-terms and the agreed to business transaction, gathering input from relevant stakeholders

Support deal lead in term sheet and contract reviews in close coordination with Legal to support deal structuring and negotiation

Integration of primary and secondary research to help advance strategic decision-making processes

Build complex valuation models to help summarize diligence and support prioritization

Conduct primary qualitative and quantitative market research to build an understanding of end markets, including market sizing, competitive landscape, and value chain

Commercial assessment of potential development indications, in-licensing opportunities, and external partnerships

Support deal lead in negotiations and make recommendations on deal terms based on analysis of appropriate comparable transactions and public comparable companies as applicable

Work with internal departments to develop best practices for managing the group’s activities, communication and streamline processes

Engage with external partners, vendors, and collaborators and represent Laekna on agreement related activities. Standardize templates, in partnership with legal, to streamline the transaction process

Operations:

Establish collaborative, effective, and trusting relationships with key internal functions including R&D, Clinical Development, Operations, Legal, Regulatory, IP and Finance to ensure a well-documented and free flow of information

Support innovation from ideation to value proposition, to resourcing and funding, to implementation in partnership with stakeholders as applicable.

Support development of the functional strategy and strategic priorities by collecting information and connecting dots across the function. Support development of functional goals 

Support strategic projects related to function strategy, operations, and asset-specific deliverables. 

Coordinate resource planning (headcount, budget) with business operations.

Qualifications:

MD, PhD, JD and/or MBA or other advanced degree in the biomedical field required.

Strong knowledge and a minimum 5 years of experience of the pharmaceutical industry, processes and requirements including strong acumen in deal making (e.g., consulting, investment banking, venture capital) and minimum of 3 years of leading business development and licensing, transactions and/or mergers and acquisitions.

Expertise and a deal sheet that presents prior transactions in the industry indicating prior successful deal leadership to closing across a range of counterparties/development partners is required.

Deep scientific curiosity and commitment to advancing therapeutic innovation that provides better solutions for patients.

A genuine and authentic critical thinker with analytical, communication, and leadership skills.

Proven ability to prioritize and handle large number of responsibilities without compromising delivery quality or timelines.

Can-do attitude and ability to work in a highly dynamic and agile business environment including ability to inform and influence C-level management.

Demonstrated ability to effectively communicate and lead others to accomplish challenging goals and objectives.

Experience working with multinational internal and external multidisciplinary teams.

Flexibility to travel 30%

Laekna Therapeutics is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.