Director, Drug Product Strategic Alliance

At GSK, we have bold ambitions for patients, aiming to positively impact the health of 2.5 billion people by the end of the decade. R&D is committed to discovering and delivering transformational vaccines and medicines to prevent and change the course of disease. 

At GSK we have a large pipeline of vaccines and we are expanding our capacity and capabilities internally and externally to meet the increasing need in the CMC development space. We therefore look to increase our alliances with external partners to accelerate product and process development and the introduction of new vaccines 

Drug Product (DP) is one of the core functions of GSK Technical R&D, accountable for vaccine product and process development from the early onset of discovery projects and platforms to late-stage development, transfer and launch of new vaccines. 

The Director, Drug Product Strategic Alliance defines, leads, and transversally coordinates external strategic partnership for DP CMC development, ideally matching with the clinical material manufacturing footprint, and creating a network of trusted partners to execute delivery of robust, fit for purpose product and process development.  

Key Responsibilities: 

• Manage multiple drug product external development efforts for vaccine drug product programs within GSK’s development portfolio. 

• Build strong internal and external relationships with key stakeholders to help facilitate the delivery of DP objectives. Facilitate a highly cross-functional internal and external CMC team environment through engaged leadership, collaborative interactions and a data driven, quality focused mentality. 

• Provide direction and oversight for process development/scale-up/transfer activities at external development sites. 

• Provide leadership to ensure scientific excellence in study design, data collection and interpretation, and management within scope to prospectively agreed objectives, budget and timelines. 

• Provide critical analysis of program challenges and opportunities and recommend mitigation plans where necessary. 

• Support/lead and/or coordinate joint technical investigations connecting partners to internal experts to secure a path forward for programs  

• Assist project management to proactively build detailed CMC timelines with clarity on assumptions, risks and decision points. 

• Prepare and keep current written CMC development strategies in alignment with overall program objectives. Present results and progress of CMC programs to internal and external audiences as appropriate. 

• Coordinate the evaluation of external and internal technologies, encompassing formulation, delivery systems, manufacturing platforms, to ensure strong decision-making on externalization.

• Lead the strategic alliance in collaboration with R&D functions, Legal, IP and BD departments, with relevant stakeholders/customer functions.  

• Serve as a member of the global Drug Product leadership team, contributing to the strategic vision and collaborating across the TRD global network. 

• Collaborate effectively with the internal DP Development units, to build an externalization framework where DP project leads from the development units can operate and secure the project deliverables.  

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