Academic Associate - Director RNA Network for Therapy Development & Production (Réseau DePTAQ)

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Academic Associate - Director, RNA Network for Therapy Development and Production (Réseau DePTAQ)

Position overview

Quebec is a world leader in biomedical and biopharmaceutical research on RNA therapies, a rapidly evolving field as we transition out of the COVID pandemic. In order to strengthen this position and increase the local production capacity, the province gave itself the means to achieve its ambitions through the creation of a new RNA Network for Therapy Development and Production: the Réseau DePTAQ.

The Network will serve as a bridge between academic discovery and industrial innovation by providing a single interface and specialized services for the development and production of RNA therapies. In a highly collaborative form, the Network will provide academic researchers and industrial partners with three platforms offering RNA biomanufacturing services up to preclinical validation. The services provided by the Network will facilitate the transition from the development of RNA therapies to their direct application in clinical trials, eventually leading to their commercialization. The main objectives of the Network are the following:

• To create an interface between universities and the industry;

• To promote an interdisciplinary approach;

• To ensure training of highly qualified personnel;

• To promote RNA technologies in academic communities, hospital environments and the industrial sector.

The Network will act as a single window provider giving businesses and academic researchers access to infrastructure and leading-edge expertise in the field. The Network will be managed in a concerted manner by McGill University, the Institut de recherches cliniques de Montréal (IRCM), and Sherbrooke University.

The three platforms are:

• IRCM’s Sidney-Altman RNA Therapeutic Hub;

• Therapeutic messenger RNA platform at McGill University’s Centre for RNA Sciences;

• Sherbrooke University’s RNomic Platform.

The network may be extended to other platforms over time, depending on needs and technological developments.

Core responsibilities

The Network’s director will manage efforts in order to guarantee an easy access to the platforms and ensure the quality of the services being provided. Experience in research on RNA as well as industrial manufacturing will be considered highly valued selection criteria. The Network’s director will play an important role in the success of this initiative. His/her core responsibilities will include the following:

Business development and industry liaison

• Ensure the development of business relations to enhance the capabilities and success of the platforms in order to develop a stable of potential clients from both public and private sectors, which would guarantee a pipeline of projects for the Network.
• Develop and implement the business model and the cost/billing structure for the Network.
• Serve as first contact with organizations within the RNA chain of value with the goal of developing partnerships.
• Map the customer journey and ensure the quality of the customer experience.
• Represent the Network in meetings and relevant events.
• Promote the Network and its commercial development.
• Explore and ensure the development of new partnerships, including planning and producing presentations, face-to-face meetings with partners, preparation of presentations and value propositions.
• Manage different events and participate in networking activities, training and workshops in order to increase his/her partnership capabilities and knowledge of the business environment.

Management, strategic planning and administration

• Ensure the proper operation of the Network.
• Assume responsibilities for the management and the fluidity of operations between the different scientific platforms.
• Develop a strategic plan in collaboration wi