R&D - Intrepide China - Distinguished Scientist, Head of Chemistry - Suzhou

About the job

The Sanofi Intrépide China initiative is designed to allow Global Research to gain deep insights into the local ecosystem and ensure scientific rigor in evaluating external opportunities that are critical to our Research pipeline ambitions. It will focus on three strategic areas:

(1) supporting Global Research through collaboration with global Therapeutic Area teams and Business

Development to identify and pursue in-licensing opportunities;

(2) conducting preliminary evaluations and Material Transfer Agreement (MTA) validations to accelerate

global pipeline expansion;

(3) leveraging China's Contract Research Organizations (CROs) and biotech innovation platforms to

address capacity and capability gaps in global Discovery programs.

We are seeking a dynamic, forward-thinking, and experienced medicinal chemistry leader to execute Sanofi Intrépide mission in alignment with our global research strategy. The ideal candidate will formulate Intrépide China small molecule research strategy and identify and leverage opportunities in China ecosystem to drive collaboration in synergy with IDD. The person will oversee research projects with scientific rigor, goal-oriented and sense of urgency and engage Sanofi internal key stakeholders to advance the projects to preclinical stage. This role offers the opportunity to make concrete contributions to Sanofi's global Research pipeline, driving forward our mission to discover breakthrough therapies for patients worldwide.

Main responsibilities include:

• Contribute to the formulation of Intrepide China’s small molecule strategy and responsible for the implementation of the strategy
• In close collaboration with IDD, identify and assess biotech/CRO partners with leading technology platforms that complementary to Sanofi internal capabilities in the areas where China ecosystems can be leveraged e.g. ADC, PROTAC, oral peptide, siRNA ect.
• Form strategic partnership with Biotech start-ups to initiate projects in alignment with Global R&D pipeline strategy and Research TA priorities and drive the project to preclinical milestones  
• Work with internal and external cross-functional team members to advance projects, ensure high quality projects delivery within defined timeline and budget.
• Proactively conduct in-depth evaluations of cutting-edge technologies and novel modalities related to small molecules. Provide scientific and technological insights regarding innovation trends and potential growth opportunities in China to IDD
• Be responsible for and accountable for the protection and management of intellectual property risk arising from interfaces with external partners
• Serve as a key point of contact between Intrepide China and IDD to align on key objectives, delivery goals and potential opportunities arise in China

About you

• 10-15 years industry experience in small molecule drug discovery, in-depth knowledge of cutting -edge medicinal chemistry drug design by applying structure guided, computer aided workflow.
• Project leadership experience with track records of successfully deliver multiple projects to preclinical milestones is required, previous experience in research collaboration and partnership are preferred.  
• Strong verbal and written communication skills and stakeholder engagement abilities, excellent scientific presentation skills in both Chinese and English
• Ability to identify promising research opportunities and technologies
• Knowledge in different novel modalities e.g. ADC, PROTAC, oral peptide, siRNA etc. is a plus
• Knowledge in different novel modalities e.g. ADC, PROTAC, oral peptide, siRNA etc. is a plus