alternative careers in pharma and biotechnology

Alternative Careers in Pharmaand Biotechnology

Douglas Buckley Ph.D.May 13, 2011

Alternative Career SymposiumBaylor College of Medicine

Outline

Company organizationScientific roles in various divisionsJobs that span the continuumImpacts of organization sizeBrief notes on the job searchKeys to success in industry

Company Organization

Research – Target discovery and validationDiscovery – Target prosecution, NCE developmentDevelopment – IND through Ph. III activitiesCommercial Ops – Product manufacturing, QC, distribution and logisticsMarketing – Pricing, advertising, competitive positioning, physician support, patient support

Research Discovery Development CommercialOps Marketing

Scientific Roles in Divisions

ResearchFocus is on target identification and validationTeam may be self-contained or matrixedTeam may include:

Cell BiologyGeneticsGenomicsProtein SciencesPharmacology

Deliverable is a screen-ready target

Scientific Roles in DivisionsDiscovery

Focus is on pharmaceutical discoveryTeam is generally matrixedTeam may include:

High-throughput screeningCell BiologyMedicinal Chemistry or Protein EngineeringGenomicsCrystallographyADMEPharmacology and Toxicology

Deliverable is an IND-ready product

Scientific Roles in DivisionsDevelopment

Focus is on moving product through clinical trialsTeam is generally matrixedTeam includes:

Clinical Research and Clinical SciencesPharmacology and ToxicologyBiostatistics, Programing, and Data ManagementProcess DevelopmentFormulationsClinical OperationsRegulatory Affairs

Deliverable is a New Drug Application (NDA)

Scientific Roles in DivisionsCommercial Operations

Focus is on assuring drug supply to the patientTeam is generally matrixedTeam includes:

ManufacturingQuality Control and Quality AssuranceLogisticsRegulatory Affairs

Deliverable is an uninterrupted drug supply

Jobs That Span the Continuum

Translational MedicineCompanion Diagnostics

Medical WritingProject and Program ManagementAlliance ManagementBusiness DevelopmentLegal Services

Don’t forget –

CROs do all of these jobs too!

Impacts of Organization Size

Large PharmaHire for a specific roleMentoring more availableOrganizational rigidityHigher bureaucratic loadHigher salaries

Small Start-upPremium placed on flexibilityLearn as you goRapid change and adaptationFast decisions, many mistakesEquity participation

Notes on the Job SearchNetwork, Network, Network!

PICollaboratorsPast grad students and post-docs

You are always in the job searchSeminarsMeetings and poster sessionsSocial situations and elevators

Work on your 30-second drillTwo minutes in the hallway with a smartphone can make you informed rather than clueless!

Keys to Success in IndustryKnow what success looks like to your bossDoing exceptional work at your current job opens the door to new opportunitiesTrain your successor in order to be able to move out of your current positionAsk your boss, your peers, and your subordinates what you need to do to improveActively communicateAcknowledge the contributions of othersBe nice to the Administrative Assistants!

Thanks to all of my mentors and colleagues!