Experienced DMPK Scientist and Project Representative

SoseiHeptares Cambridge United Kingdom
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Company Description

Sosei Heptares (the corporate brand of Sosei Group Corporation) is a research-focused biotechnology group, publicly listed in Japan (TSE: 4565) and with sites in Tokyo, London and Cambridge (UK).

Our mission is to make a significant contribution to improving the quality of life and health of people around the world. To achieve this, we will discover, design and develop the most innovative and effective medicines for patients worldwide, through our world-leading patent-protected StaR® technology and platform.

Our primary focus is the discovery and early development of new medicines originating from our proprietary G Protein-Coupled Receptor (GPCR)-targeted StaR® technology and Structure-Based Drug Design (SBDD) platform capabilities. We are advancing a broad and deep pipeline of novel medicines across multiple therapeutic areas, including CNS, immuno-oncology, gastroenterology, inflammation and other rare/specialty indications.

We have established partnerships with some of the world’s leading pharmaceutical companies, including Abbvie, AstraZeneca, Genentech (Roche), Novartis, Pfizer and Takeda; and additionally, with multiple emerging biotechnology companies.

Sosei Heptares has approximately 145 employees based at its new R&D research facility at Granta Park. The size of the company ensures a transparent linkage between all activities from early discovery through to clinical development

Position

Sosei Heptares currently has an opportunity for a talented and creative scientist to join the Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics (DMPK) group to act as an expert in the discipline and Project Representative on Drug Discovery project teams. The position will be at the level of Senior Scientist or Principal Scientist depending on experience. Sosei Heptares has a strong and diverse discovery pipeline covering multiple therapeutic areas (TAs) and has several assets moving towards clinical development which are aimed at delivering innovative life changing medicines. In this role you will be responsible for designing in vitro and in vivo ADME experiments to ensure that appropriate strategies are in place to transition early hits through to preclinical candidates. You will work closely with project leaders and actively collaborate with other discipline leaders on project teams to ensure delivery of high-quality candidates. In this role there will be opportunity to promote the use of modelling and simulation and play an important role in shaping the future growth of DMPK and Translational Sciences.

The role would encompass:

  • Be an active member of the DMPK team and responsible for designing key in vitro and in vivo experimental data to support discovery projects.
  • Work closely with Chemistry to design appropriate screening strategies to meet the target molecule profile.
  • Work closely with Project Teams to build an understanding of the mode of action of new molecules.
  • Contribute to the design of in vivo efficacy studies to ensure high quality data are generated for PKPD modelling.
  • Depending on experience, take a leading role in providing modelling support to ensure appropriate candidates are selected.
  • Characterise the DMPK and PKPD properties of molecules that underpin human predictions.
  • Together with Project Teams design in vivo efficacy studies and dosing regimes to deliver differentiated efficacy.
  • Play a vital role along with Safety to provide early insight into safety margins and risk of DILI.

Requirements

  • Educated to at least BSc level with significant experience gained working in DMPK or related discipline
  • Expert technical knowledge of ADME/DMPK principles and good understanding of the relationship between PhysChem properties and drug design
  • Relevant experience working as a DMPK Representative on Discovery project teams
  • Demonstrated ability to design appropriate DMPK strategies to support decision making
  • Experience gained across multiple therapeutic areas would be an advantage and may include CNS, Immuno-oncology, GI disorders
  • Experienced user of Phoenix/WinNonLin PK analysis software
  • Track record for the application of human PK prediction methods
  • A strong interest in mathematical modelling would be an advantage.
  • The use of PBPK Modelling and hands-on experience of GastroPlus would be ideal but not a requirement as training can be provided
  • Demonstrated ability to work in a matrix environment, multi-task, meet deadlines and deal with evolving priorities

Other information

Applicants must be able to demonstrate proof of the right to work in the United Kingdom

We offer a competitive salary, commensurate with qualifications and experience, and benefits package including pension and healthcare schemes. We are open to offering flexible working arrangements for this post.

The successful candidate will be employed by Heptares Therapeutics Ltd, a UK wholly owned subsidiary of Sosei Group Corporation.

Applications should include a covering letter, providing a short description of the background to their interest in the role, with curriculum vitae including the names and contact details for two referees. Please send your application in pdf format, quoting reference number 2020/2TS.

The closing date for applications is 31st July 2020.

Strictly no agencies.