Full-Time

Associate Director

Updated on 9/3/2026

Takeda

Takeda

10,001+ employees

Global biopharmaceutical firm; R&D-driven NMEs

Compensation Overview

$154.4k - $242.6k/yr

+ Short-term incentives + Long-term incentives + 401(k) match

Boston, MA, USA

Hybrid

Bachelor's, Master's, PhD

Category
Biology & Biotech (1)
Required Skills
Quality Assurance (QA)

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Requirements
  • A Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts degree in a scientific discipline is required.
  • At least 10 years of overall biopharmaceutical or device industry experience is required, including at least 5 years of pharmaceutical Regulatory Chemistry, Manufacturing, and Controls or device experience. Equivalent industry experience in Pharmaceutical Development, Analytical Development, Production, or Quality Assurance may be considered.
  • A strong understanding of scientific principles and global regulatory Chemistry, Manufacturing, and Controls requirements relevant to global drug development and post-market support is required.
  • The ability to understand and communicate regulatory strategy to drug development, registration, and post-market support teams is required.
  • The ability to analyze issues with attention to detail is required.
  • The ability to base regulatory strategy recommendations on precedents and regulatory intelligence, as well as regulations and guidelines, is required.
  • The ability to address issues of critical importance with minimal supervision and exercise sound judgment in escalating and communicating actual or potential issues to line management is required.
  • The ability to understand decision ownership and escalate issues as necessary is required.
  • The ability to apply company decisions is required.
  • Emerging leadership, problem-solving ability, flexibility, and teamwork are required.
  • An inclusive approach is required.
  • The ability to apply the prioritization framework with limited support is required.
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills are required.
Responsibilities
  • Develop and lead the execution of regulatory Chemistry, Manufacturing, and Controls investigational, registration, and post-approval strategies for assigned products.
  • Serve as a Regulatory Affairs Chemistry, Manufacturing, and Controls member on the Global Regulatory Chemistry, Manufacturing, and Controls team and, when applicable, act as delegate for the Global Regulatory Affairs Chemistry, Manufacturing, and Controls Product Lead on Regulatory, Pharmaceutical Development, and Commercial project teams throughout clinical development and the commercial lifecycle.
  • Develop, plan, execute, and manage regulatory submissions according to the Global Regulatory Affairs Chemistry, Manufacturing, and Controls Product Team technical regulatory strategy.
  • Define Chemistry, Manufacturing, and Controls content and documentation requirements for regulatory submissions and review the content for conformance with established requirements.
  • Represent Takeda Regulatory Affairs Chemistry, Manufacturing, and Controls in Health Authority meetings when applicable and support preparation activities for meetings concerning Chemistry, Manufacturing, and Controls matters.
  • Interact directly with international Health Authorities on administrative procedural topics as required.
  • Evaluate change proposals for global regulatory impact.
  • Ensure regulatory compliance with Health Authority regulations and conformance with Takeda controlled procedures and Global Regulatory Affairs Chemistry, Manufacturing, and Controls best practices.
  • Keep project team colleagues, line management, and key stakeholders apprised of developments that may impact regulatory success.
  • Review, provide regulatory Chemistry, Manufacturing, and Controls input on, and approve technical protocols, reports, and related materials as needed.
  • When serving as a Global Regulatory Affairs Chemistry, Manufacturing, and Controls Product Team lead, prepare and maintain technical regulatory strategy documents, storyboards, risk assessments, and related regulatory documentation, and provide tactical regulatory guidance to product teams.
  • Be accountable for development and commercial product approvals and for meeting project and product targets within respective modalities.
  • Support and lead assigned global regulatory submissions, including Core Dossiers, Investigational New Drugs, Clinical Trial Applications, Biologics License Applications, Marketing Authorisation Applications, and Variations, through the product lifecycle.
  • Work effectively across a complex matrix environment with stakeholders to implement strategies and keep project execution on target.
  • Communicate Chemistry, Manufacturing, and Controls regulatory strategies, key issues, and risks to cross-functional program and product teams and management within Global Regulatory Affairs Chemistry, Manufacturing, and Controls, Global Regulatory Affairs, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Global Manufacturing and Supply, and Quality Assurance.
Desired Qualifications
  • An advanced degree, such as a Master of Science or Doctor of Philosophy, in a scientific discipline is preferred.

Takeda is a global biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering and delivering medicines and vaccines to improve patient health. It relies on extensive research and development to create new molecular entities (NMEs) and bring them to market, aiming for up to 15 product launches through FY2024 from a pipeline of 11 NMEs. Revenue comes mainly from selling pharmaceutical products, supported by about 41,000 third-party suppliers worldwide. The company differentiates itself through a deep history (over 240 years), a broad portfolio of global brands, and a patient-centric approach that places patients’ needs at the center of its operations while pursuing environmental sustainability. Takeda’s goal is to advance health globally by turning scientific innovations into accessible therapies, maintaining long-term growth through steady product innovation and responsible operations.

Company Size

10,001+

Company Stage

IPO

Headquarters

Tokyo, Japan

Founded

1781

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Simplify Jobs

Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • August 2026 FDA approval of MIMRYLO opened a new U.S. polycythemia vera franchise.
  • ORZEYFUL won U.S., Japan, and China approvals in August 2026, accelerating commercialization.
  • Takeda maintained FY2026 guidance after Q1 2026, with 22.6% growth from new launches.

What critics are saying

  • The May 18, 2026 Amitiza verdict imposed $884.9 million damages, tripling on judgment.
  • Takeda's March 2026 restructuring cuts 4,500 jobs, signaling margin pressure and execution disruption.
  • If ORZEYFUL, MIMRYLO, and zasocitinib underperform, Takeda's mature-brands decline crushes growth.

What makes Takeda unique

  • Takeda’s 2026 launches target first-in-class mechanisms: MIMRYLO, ORZEYFUL, and zasocitinib.
  • Takeda built rare Japan-to-global R&D depth, with oveporexton approved in China, U.S., Japan.
  • Takeda paired discovery teams with Boltz in 2026, embedding AI across research.

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Benefits

Health Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Life Insurance

Disability Insurance

401(k) Retirement Plan

401(k) Company Match

Paid Vacation

Paid Sick Leave

Wellness Program

Tuition Reimbursement

Growth & Insights and Company News

Headcount

6 month growth

0%

1 year growth

0%

2 year growth

0%
Yahoo Finance
Aug 31st, 2026
Takeda wins FDA approval for first-in-class blood cancer drug, triggering $275M payment to Protagonist

The FDA approved Takeda Pharmaceutical's MIMRYLO (rusfertide) for polycythemia vera, a blood cancer causing red blood cell overproduction. The first-in-class drug functions as a hepcidin mimetic, regulating iron distribution to control hematocrit levels and prevent life-threatening complications like strokes and pulmonary embolisms. Approval was based on the Phase 3 VERIFY study involving 293 patients. Those receiving MIMRYLO alongside standard care achieved superior hematocrit control, reduced phlebotomy needs, and improved fatigue compared to placebo. Takeda commercialises MIMRYLO under a 2024 agreement with Protagonist Therapeutics, which discovered the drug. The approval triggers $275 million in payments to Protagonist—a $200 million opt-out fee plus $75 million milestone. Protagonist remains eligible for up to $875 million in additional milestones and tiered royalties of 14% to 29% on worldwide net sales.

Associated Press
Aug 28th, 2026
US FDA approves Takeda's Mimrylo for polycythemia vera treatment

Takeda has received US FDA approval for MIMRYLO (rusfertide), a first-in-class treatment for erythrocytosis in adults with polycythemia vera (PV), a blood cancer. The drug is a hepcidin mimetic that regulates iron distribution and red blood cell overproduction to control hematocrit levels. The approval was supported by the Phase 3 VERIFY study involving 293 PV patients. Results showed MIMRYLO plus standard care demonstrated higher response rates than placebo, including better hematocrit control, reduced phlebotomy needs, and improved fatigue scores. PV affects approximately 90,000 people in the US. An estimated 78% of patients experience uncontrolled hematocrit with current standard care. The most common adverse events were injection site reactions and anaemia. MIMRYLO is administered once weekly via subcutaneous injection. Takeda is working with regulators outside the US for potential global availability.

Associated Press
Aug 24th, 2026
Japan approves Orzeyful as first medicine targeting narcolepsy type 1's underlying cause

Takeda announced Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare has approved ORZEYFUL (oveporexton) for treating narcolepsy type 1 in adults. The oral medication is the first to address the underlying orexin deficiency causing the disease, rather than just managing individual symptoms. Narcolepsy type 1 is a chronic neurological condition characterised by excessive daytime sleepiness, cataplexy, disrupted sleep, and other symptoms that significantly impact patients' daily lives. Diagnostic delays average more than 10 years. The approval follows global Phase 3 trials showing statistically significant improvements across the full range of symptoms. Common side effects included insomnia, urinary urgency and frequency, and excessive saliva. ORZEYFUL is also approved in China and the United States. Takeda developed the first-in-class orexin receptor 2 agonist in its Japanese laboratories and plans to launch the treatment quickly.

Yahoo Finance
Aug 5th, 2026
FDA approves Takeda's Orzeyful, first medicine to treat underlying cause of narcolepsy type 1

The US Food and Drug Administration has approved Takeda's ORZEYFUL (oveporexton) for treating narcolepsy type 1 in adults. The oral medication is the first orexin receptor 2 agonist approved to address the underlying cause of the disease rather than individual symptoms. Narcolepsy type 1 is a chronic neurological disease affecting approximately 120,000 people in the US. It is driven by orexin deficiency and causes excessive daytime sleepiness, cataplexy, cognitive symptoms and disrupted sleep. Clinical trials showed adults taking ORZEYFUL experienced significant improvements across the full range of symptoms compared to placebo. Takeda is preparing for the US launch, which will proceed following completion of the Drug Enforcement Administration scheduling process. The company describes the approval as potentially redefining how narcolepsy type 1 is managed.

GeekWire
Jul 31st, 2026
AI drug developer Accipiter Bio quietly tops up seed round with $10.5M

Seattle-based biotech startup Accipiter Biosciences has raised an additional $10.5 million, less than a year after emerging from stealth with $12.7 million. The funding, from existing investors including Flying Fish Partners and Takeda, will accelerate the company's drug development programmes. The startup uses AI tools developed at the University of Washington's Institute for Protein Design to engineer proteins that can bind multiple cellular targets simultaneously. The company has expanded to 22 employees, including researchers who worked under Nobel laureate David Baker. Accipiter Bio has partnerships with Pfizer and Gilead Sciences-owned Kite Pharma, with potential milestone payments exceeding $330 million. The additional funding will enable the company to advance three or four drug candidates into clinical trials, focusing on immunology and oncology.