Company Profile

Rakuten Aspyrian, Inc., is a privately funded clinical stage biotechnology company with offices in the USA, Japan and Germany. Since 2013, Rakuten Aspyrian has been developing new anticancer therapies based on the Photoimmunotherapy platform. Rakuten Aspyrian plans to become a fully integrated biopharma with research, development, and world-wide commercialization of therapies based on the Photoimmunotherapy platform.

Our long-term objective is to commercialize a number of therapies based on Photoimmunotherapy to treat a broad range of solid tumor types as single agent and in combination with other immunomodulatory agents to generate robust and long lasting anticancer immunological responses.

Rakuten Aspyrian is currently sponsoring a global Phase 3 multicenter clinical study for ASP-1929 to evaluate the efficacy and safety of ASP-1929 in patients with recurrent Head and Neck Cancer and additional Phase 2 studies to evaluate the safety and efficacy of ASP-1929 in patients with other cancer types.

Given the rapid progression of the clinical studies we are quickly expanding the team to support late stage pivotal clinical development and future commercialization of our products.

Position Summary

The Director of Scientific Communications will lead the successful development and execution of the communications strategy and publication plan(s) for Rakuten Aspyrian products. He or she will oversee the timely implementation of the publication plan and the creation, coordination, tracking and execution of scientific materials (manuscripts, abstracts, posters, and slide presentations). The Director of Scientific Communications will ensure quality and compliance of these deliverables. He/she will demonstrate scientific/research expertise in the appointed therapeutic area and will build strong working collaborations with both internal and external personnel to ensure quality data analysis, interpretation, and communication.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

  • Responsible for the creation and implementation of the communications strategy and publication plan(s)
  • Lead the execution of scientific deliverables including abstracts, posters, oral presentations, manuscripts and slide decks
  • Ensure compliant development and review of publications/presentations that reflect global publication guidelines
  • Plan, develop and implement educational plan, and other scientific programs that communicate important information to the medical and scientific community
  • Establish strong collaborative relationships with key internal and external stakeholders
  • Manage all aspects of publication and medical communication agencies but not limited to identification, screening, management and supervision these agencies and manage all financial and contractual aspects of assigned projects
  • Select and manage the data repository for scientific communications
  • Creation of departmental policies/SOPs necessary to achieve organizational objectives and for complying with government regulations
  • Ensure compliance with legal, regulatory and industry standards for scientific communications (e.g ICMJE, GPP3 and Pharma codes) and has a strong understanding of publication practices and guidelines
  • Manage annual budget and evaluates resource requirements for the scientific communications department
  • Other duties as assigned

Desired Education, Skills and Experience

  • Advanced degree: PhD, PharmD, or MD
  • Minimum 7 years of relevant experience in a pharmaceutical company including a minimum of 3 years of experience in leadership roles
  • Demonstrated skilled expertise in writing, editing, and managing scientific materials (e.g. abstracts, manuscripts, poster presentations)
  • Strong experience in strategic publication planning (including scientific platforms), tactical publication planning and implementation, and the planning and development of medical educational materials
  • Ability to interpret and organize highly complex scientific data, including experience reviewing clinical trial data and output from statistical analysis programs
  • Experience in working closely with KOLs and authors
  • Experience in planning and implementation of symposia preferred
  • Demonstrated leadership skills
  • Understanding of good publication practices and guidelines, ie, ICMJE, GPP3, etc. Familiarity with AMA style guidelines. Knowledge of FDA, EMA, and ICH guidelines. Deep understanding of the drug development process and prior experience in the biopharmaceutical industry
  • Excellent communication, time management and project planning skills
  • CMPP and/or AMWA certification desired
  • Disciplinary expertise in oncology preferred
  • Ability to travel as necessary

We are proud to offer a competitive compensation plan with an excellent benefits package including flexible time off, stock options, 401k, medical, dental, vision plans and more.

Rakuten Aspyrian Inc. is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives and skills.

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