Global Head of Research & Biomarkers - Vaccines

Job Title: Global Head of Research and Biomarkers - Vaccines

Location: FR / Marcy-L' Etoile

ABOUT THE JOB

Join the team protecting half a billion lives every year with next-gen science, mRNA innovation, and AI-driven breakthroughs. In Vaccines, you’ll help advance prevention on a global scale - and shape the future of immunization. Sanofi is a global biopharmaceutical company focusing on human health transforming scientific innovation in healthcare solutions. At Sanofi, we innovate in immunology, rare diseases & prevention. 

Sanofi Pasteur has been a leader in the vaccine industry for over 100 years. We are building a world in which no one suffers or dies from a vaccine preventable disease. We produce more than 1 billion doses of high-quality vaccines each year and save over 3 million lives worldwide. Sanofi is embracing the digital revolution. Today we incorporate big data, machine learning and advanced analytics into R&D, evidence generation, commercial operation and manufacturing. 

mRNA technology stands at the forefront of these scientific breakthroughs. In an ever-evolving healthcare landscape, we recognize mRNA's transformative potential to revolutionize how we prevent and treat diseases, making innovative solutions accessible to more people, faster than ever before.

That's why we've established our mRNA Center of Excellence. With an annual investment of €200m and a dedicated team of 500+ experts, we built an integrated end-to-end mRNA platform that brings together R&D, digital capabilities, and CMC expertise under one roof.

Bring your ambition and optimism and join us on our journey to discover and deliver transformative medicine to patients through the advancement of our cutting-edge mRNA technology!

ABOUT THIS ROLE 

In this role, the CTO, Global Head of Research & Biomarkers will be overseeing the overall end to end COE Research group covering pDNA, mRNA & Delivery (including Lipids discovery, associated synthesis) research teams and capabilities supporting Sanofi ambition in the field of therapeutic and prophylactic approaches serving unmet medical needs. 

Additionally, the CTO, Global Head of Research & Biomarkers will oversee a best-in-class mRNA Biomarker platform team based in France and Orlando, with the aim to: 

• Maximize efficacy and safety of LNP-mRNA through deep molecular and cellular immune profiling, 

• Deciphering the impact of the LNPs components on immune innate response as well as overall humoral and cellular immunity,

• A such, we will gain confidence in mRNA-based technology performance prediction. 

Overall, the Research and Biomarker Team will drive platform evolution and optimization through innovation in mRNA/LNP Design in prophylactic & therapeutic areas and will collaborate closely across the R&D team (Ag Design, Immunology Group, Clinical Development…) and project teams to support development candidates. 

As executive leader of the organization, the CTO, Global Head of Research & Biomarker is providing the best environment and support to project teams and scientists, enhance excellence in Science & Innovation in collaboration with key internal and external partners.

As site head, you will be in charge to provide local leadership and operational guidances to site, being a major contributor in both the transformation of the R&D Vaccine organization. In close collaboration with R&D Functions (Ag Design, Immunology…), you will establish the framework and coordinates activities necessary for the site to deliver on its share of global R&D milestones and strategic priorities. You will work on 3 main areas: operational, people, and ecosystem that promote changes and foster ways of working to ensure Vx R&D becomes the best organization for innovation in the region including developing collaboration with Genomic Medicine Unit located close by.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES: 

Lead, engage, drive and develop a team whose mission is to conduct research on mRNA, LNP and formulation (Delivery) design for various applications and specific routes of administration, including: 

• The support for the targeted disease scientific strategic approach definition

• The discovery and evaluation of new delivery system (non LNP delivery) and its associate requirements (Pharmaceutical form, route of admin …)

• The identification and synthesis of novel lipids or alternative in link with the mechanism of action foreseen

• The identification and development of novel mRNA stabilization approaches 

• The research of novel elicitors of mRNA intracellular mRNA translation

• The development of mRNA formulation

• High throughput screening of excipients

• Thermostable fully liquid formulation

• Lyo/spray dried formulation

As such the team screen for new technologies and establish those technologies to improve mRNA generation capabilities and identify novel approaches that leverage the mRNA platform in the development of new or better prophylactic and therapeutic targets. 

In order to accelerate mRNA & LNO research, the Global Head of R&B will ensure that all the digital bricks (Automation, IA, ML) required for such technology are leveraged at scale.

Lead, engage, drive, and develop the biomarker platform, including: 

• Define and execute the biomarker strategy supporting the optimization, the development, the manufacturing, and the registration of mRNA + LNP for prophylactic and Therapeutic vaccines / application

• Discover, develop and validate in vitro, in vivo preclinical and clinical biomarker assays

• Support the overall CMC DS & DP group by analyzing samples via established biomarker platform

• Ensure smooth transfer of analytical methods to analytical group 

• Apply molecular biology and cell biology to advance and optimize RNA-based vaccine technology

• Perform molecular techniques that include (but are not limited to) recombinant DNA techniques, sequence analysis, DNA/RNA isolation etc

• Support strategic writing of the CMC section of the regulatory dossier 

The Site Head represents the Vx R&D function as appropriate on site-wide, local/regional/ national ecosystem, hub-wide and company initiatives that influence Vx R&D and is responsible for communicating necessary information back to Vx R&D and implement actions as necessary. 

People: 

• Is responsible for the selection, attraction, and retention of talents within mRNA CoE 

Science and Innovation: 

• Provide best environment and support to project teams and scientists 

Culture & Vx R&D Voice: 

• Act as the spokesperson/host for Vx R&D at site events, visitor welcomes and site visits

• Act as a liaison to transfer information between Vx R&D and other functions. Vx R&D representative at the National Hub Leadership Team

• Be the voice of the site for Vx R&D externally, interactions with local communities as appropriate and in collaboration with External Engagement teams 

• Contribute to Vx R&D communication strategy at local level 

• Lead initiatives to promote culture change, work performance, innovation & well- being 

Facility Management Leader – HSES & Compliance: 

• Responsible for HSES R&D site status 

Oversee Vx R&D site-related infrastructure: 

• Compliance: Influence and lead the implementation of general and site policies, identify specific needs, reinforce basic requirements, contribute to R&D review and approval of site quality documents (SOPs, SWIs) where applicable, champion for SP Business Ethics & Integrity

REQUIRED SKILLS

• PhD in Biotechnology or related field, 15+ years of relevant work experience (Discovery, Research and CMC…) with biopharmaceutical / biotech industry in Biologics, Gene Therapy, Cell Therapy…

• Strong expertise in molecular biology technics including analytical technics

• Experience with lipid chemistry, lipid modifications, lipid synthesis, and standard analytical techniques for macromolecules,

• Expertise in encapsulation technics, advanced formulation for Oligo/Lipids based products

• Expertise in cell biology (e.g. cell culture, transfections, ELISA, and flow cytometry including cell sorting)

• Experience in nanoparticle characterization techniques (DLS, zeta potential, chromatography……)

• Experience in immunological and biochemical assay development experience in translational medicine is a real asset

• Desire to initiate and apply innovative approaches to early drug development and predictive modeling

• Proven track of record of managing direct reports and leading teams

• Experience in leading a team (≥ 50 people) of senior scientists, directors and & AVP levels

• Strong team building and leadership skills

• Demonstrate Take the Lead behaviors

Why Choose Us?

• Bring the miracles of science to life alongside a supportive, future-focused team.

• Discover endless opportunities to grow your talent and drive your career, whether it’s through a promotion or lateral move, at home or internationally.

• Enjoy a thoughtful, well-crafted rewards package that recognizes your contribution and amplifies your impact.