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Otsuka Pharmaceutical

Global pharma maker of Abilify

Senior Director - Global Clinical Development, Nephrology & Immunology

Full-Time
$250k - $388.1k/yr+ Incentive opportunity
Expert
MBA, PhD, MD
Remote in USA
RemoteRemote within the United States, with approximately 30–35% travel.
Biology & BiotechClinical Research Operations

About the job

Requirements
  • A clinician with an M.D. or D.O. is required; candidates with other clinical/scientific doctorates may be considered in exceptional circumstances when complemented by a team or consulting clinician.
  • Experience in the pharmaceutical industry, clinical practice, or academic translational clinical research, with a general guideline of at least five years of post-academic clinical research experience.
  • Thorough knowledge of clinical medicine and/or clinical pharmacology and associated disciplines, including biostatistics, data management, and medical writing.
  • Advanced understanding of clinical medicine and science.
  • Advanced understanding of drug development principles and clinical trial implementation and management.
  • Complete understanding of global regulatory requirements.
  • Working knowledge of marketing and commercialization.
  • Understanding of corporate goals and basic principles for working in a business setting.
  • Demonstrated experience across developmental phases, including evaluating preclinical or in-licensing candidates, establishing early clinical safety and proof of concept, conducting global registration trials, and implementing late-stage life-cycle management strategies.
  • Demonstrated ability to lead clinical aspects of regulatory interactions.
  • Ability to work across therapeutic areas and stages of clinical development.
  • Demonstrated ability to manage and motivate clinical team members, including internal staff and external investigators or consultants.
  • Strong communication and presentation skills.
  • Strong computer skills, including demonstrated experience with Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
  • Ability to apply organizational policies and procedures to varied situations.
  • Working knowledge of immunology, biostatistics, clinical pharmacology, formulation science, data management, and medical writing.
  • Willingness to travel approximately 30–35%.
Responsibilities
  • Lead clinical development strategy and execution for assigned programs from proof of concept through late-stage trials and regulatory submissions.
  • Provide medical and scientific leadership to cross-functional study teams and ensure high-quality clinical trial design, conduct, and data interpretation.
  • Serve as the medical lead and subject-matter expert for assigned indications.
  • Partner with cross-functional teams to ensure trials comply with good clinical practices, regulatory requirements, and internal processes.
  • Lead and contribute to clinical sections of regulatory documents, including Investigational New Drug applications, Investigator's Brochures, clinical study reports, and New Drug Applications/Biologics License Applications.
  • Collaborate with regulatory affairs on interactions with global health authorities.
  • Provide strategic and medical oversight to vendor and contract research organization relationships and clinical input into governance committees.
  • Lead clinical discussions with key opinion leaders and advisory boards.
  • Develop clinical documents, including medical monitoring plans and asset development plans.
  • Contribute to publication plans and review scientific manuscripts for publication.
  • Mentor and provide leadership to junior team members.
  • Support business development through medical due diligence and evaluation of external opportunities.
  • Contribute to corporate initiatives through continuous process improvement.
Desired Qualifications
  • Immunology, rheumatology, or dermatology background.
  • Supplementary Ph.D., Master of Public Health, or Master of Business Administration degree.
  • Successful regulatory filing experience.

About the company

Otsuka Pharmaceutical develops and markets medicines and health products worldwide, including prescription drugs and nutraceutical beverages. Its product lineup ranges from pharmaceutical treatments such as Abilify (an antipsychotic) to consumer health drinks like Pocari Sweat, which helps replenish electrolytes. Abilify works as a psychiatric medication used to treat conditions such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, while Pocari Sweat is an ion-replacement beverage designed to restore minerals and fluids after activity or heat. The company differentiates itself through a long history dating back to its founding in 1921, a broad, globally scaled portfolio spanning drugs and health beverages, and a focus on health improvements across populations. Its stated goal is to create new products for better health worldwide.

Company Size

1,001-5,000

Company Stage

IPO

Headquarters

Tokyo, Japan

Founded

1921

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Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • VOYXACT's August 2026 two-year data supports a supplemental FDA approval filing.
  • Transcend acquisition closed June 15, 2026, adding a differentiated neuropsychiatry pipeline.
  • Paradise renal denervation gained Japan insurance coverage March 1, 2026, accelerating sales.

What critics are saying

  • Abilify patents keep expiring through 2027, pressuring a legacy revenue engine.
  • Otsuka v Sun Pharma in Australia threatens ABILIFY MAINTENA patent-extension protection.
  • Transcend's PTSD asset, TSND-201, reaches Phase 3 completion only in late 2027.

What makes Otsuka Pharmaceutical unique

  • Otsuka pairs pharmaceuticals, devices, and diagnostics across renal, psychiatric, and cardiovascular care.
  • SIMTRIYO, approved July 23, 2026, is the first approved NDSRI for ADHD.
  • VOYXACT delivered 24-month eGFR stabilization, strengthening Otsuka's IgA nephropathy leadership.

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Benefits

Health Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

401(k) Company Match

Tuition Reimbursement

Student Loan Assistance

Paid Holidays

Growth & Insights and Company News

Headcount

6 month growth

0%

1 year growth

0%

2 year growth

0%
Otsuka US
Sep 20th, 2026
Otsuka Completes Acquisition of Transcend Therapeutics to Advance Next-Generation Neuropsychiatric Treatments | Otsuka US

Otsuka America, Inc., a subsidiary of Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. has completed the acquisition of Transcend Therapeutics, Inc., a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing a rapid-acting treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This is the latest in a series of investments Otsuka has made to advance next-generation treatments for serious neuropsychiatric conditions.

Associated Press
Jul 25th, 2026
FDA approves Otsuka's Simtriyo, first-in-class ADHD treatment for adults and children 6+

Otsuka Pharmaceutical has received FDA approval for SIMTRIYO (centanafadine), the first norepinephrine, dopamine, serotonin reuptake inhibitor for treating ADHD in adults and children aged six years and older weighing at least 20kg. The once-daily extended-release capsule will be available later this year following DEA scheduling. The approval is based on four Phase 3 clinical trials showing statistically significant improvements in ADHD symptoms compared to placebo, with benefits observed as early as week one. Common side effects include decreased appetite, nausea, rash, and headache. ADHD affects approximately 7 million children and 15.5 million adults in the US. The drug carries boxed warnings for suicidal ideation in pediatric patients and potential for abuse and addiction.

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SAN FRANCISCO–SonoThera, a biotechnology company developing next-generation genetic medicines to address the root causes of disease, today announced the closing of an oversubscribed $125 million Series B financing round to advance its lead programs in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) and autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) into the clinic and expand its pipeline of targeted, redosable genetic medicines.

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Otsuka buys Transcend Therapeutics for $700M upfront in psychiatric drugs deal

Otsuka Pharmaceutical has acquired Transcend Therapeutics for $700 million upfront through its subsidiary Otsuka America, with potential milestone payments of up to $525 million. The deal gives Otsuka access to Transcend's MDMA analogue for psychiatric conditions currently in development.