Full-Time
Senior Medical Director
Clinical Science, Oncology
Posted on 9/17/2025
Takeda
10,001+ employees
Global biopharmaceutical firm; R&D-driven NMEs
No salary listed
Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
Hybrid
 Medical, Clinical & Veterinary (3) |
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- MD, combined MD/PhD or internationally recognized equivalent.
- Clinical Training in Malignant Hematology and/or Medical Oncology preferred.
- Minimum 5 to 7 years of clinical research experience in the pharmaceutical industry, CRO health-related consulting company, or biomedical/clinical experience within academia (or a combination of aforementioned).
- Minimum of 4 to 5 years of people management experience in a healthcare or life sciences setting.
- Proven success in leading global or regional clinical development teams, including responsibility for multi-regional studies. Experience beyond US/EU is a plus.
- Experience with NDA/MAA Submission preferred.
- Demonstrated ability to lead and manage cross-functional medical, scientific and technical teams.
- Superior communication, strategic, interpersonal and negotiating skills
- Ability to anticipate challenges and drive proactive problem-solving
- Ability to drive decision-making within matrixed multi-regional teams
- Diplomacy and positive influencing abilities across diverse cultures
- Solid teamwork, organizational, interpersonal, and problem-solving skills; exercises good judgment with respect to Takeda confidential information and strategies
- Fluent business English (oral and written) and strong medical writing capabilities
- Deep understanding of oncology therapeutic areas, including mechanisms of action relevant to assigned compounds.
- Strong knowledge of global regulatory and compliance requirements, including but not limited to ICH GCP; awareness of local country requirements is essential.
- Familiarity with emerging research trends in designated therapeutic area
- TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS: Ability to drive to or fly to various meetings or client sites, including overnight trips. Some international travel may be required. Requires approximately 15 - 25% travel.
- Lead and strengthen OTAU R&D capabilities in India to maximize the value for accelerating global innovation and efficiency, in alignment with global OTAU R&D goals.
- Ensure effective oncology operations in India by leveraging local opportunities and overseeing all OTAU Clinical Science activities in India. Be accountable for speed and quality in collaboration with the global OTAU team and, as appropriate, OTAU-China, OTAU-Japan and other global R&D functions.
- Partner with ISEA and India LOC leaders to enhance enterprise-level efforts for accelerating global clinical trials.
- Work closely with OTAU GPTs and Global R&D functions to optimize integrated India development strategy for pipeline assets.
- Monitor overall country performance and support country-focused oncology activities e.g. feasibility and site selections to deliver country operational milestones.
- Serve as the internal expert on India’s oncology clinical development environment to inform global development strategy. Collaborate closely with India LOC to execute Enterprise Engagement model in India including tapping into local expertise and community networks.
- Collaborate and work closely with Oncology GPTs, the Global R&D team and regional teams, as appropriate, for each asset or indications under the remit.
- Engage study investigators to maintain strong interest and focus on Takeda’s oncology clinical trials.
- Proactively build and maintain strong investigator networks in India to support current and future trials across Takeda’s oncology portfolio in both solid tumors and hematologic malignancies and proactively share with the OTAU and Global teams.
- Build and scale global clinical trial capabilities in India as a key market in collaboration with LOC, Region and Global teams to accelerate Takeda innovation and boost efficiency.
- Leads the Development Team in India (US, EU, Japan) for assigned compounds. In some cases may lead clinical directors or clinical scientist(s) responsible for leading this team with an emphasis on proactively identifying contingencies, risks, and mitigation strategies.
- Directs Development Team strategy and deliverables overseeing the Development Strategy, Clinical Development Plan and Clinical Protocols. Recommends scope, complexity and size, which influence the budget of all aspects of a program.
- Provides continual critical and constructive evaluation of the development strategy to maintain a state-of-the-art development plan that is competitive and consistent with the latest regulatory requirements, proactive identification of challenges, and development of contingency plans to meet them.
- Responsible for high impact India specific decisions: monitoring and interpreting data from ongoing internal and external studies, assessing the medical and scientific implications and making recommendations that impact regional and global development such as 'go/no go' decisions or modification of development plans or study designs that may have a significant impact on timelines or product labeling.
- Plans clinical development strategies in context of medical/clinical significance considering how a given product will fit in with current treatments, standard of care, and unmet medical need.
- Leads Oncology Clinical Science activities in India, including protocol development, study execution, and data interpretation.
- Serves as an advisor to the clinical scientists involved in these activities, and be accountable to senior company management for the successful completion of underlying objectives.
- For the assigned compounds, accountable for the successful completion of projects undertaken - and for pro-active contingency planning / interventions necessary to ensure achievement of related goals.
- Interprets data from an overall scientific standpoint as well as within the context of the medical significance to individual patients.
- Oversees medical monitoring activities, assessing issues related to protocol conduct and/or individual subject safety. Assesses overall safety information for studies and compounds in conjunction with Pharmacovigilance.
- Leads KOL and investigator engagement strategies to support development of assigned compounds, and contributes to regulatory strategy in India.
- Provides leadership and serves as an advisor to the other clinical physicians and scientists engaged in these activities and, in the context of these responsibilities, will be accountable to senior leadership for the successful completion of related objectives in India.
- Responsible for identification and evaluation of potential business development opportunities, conducts due diligence evaluations, and development and negotiation of clinical development plans for potential alliances and or in-licensing opportunities, as assigned.
- As part of a global due diligence team, assesses scientific, medical, and development feasibility, evaluating strategic fit with overall portfolio, evaluating complete or ongoing clinical trials, assessing regulatory interactions and future development plans, interacting with upper management of potential partner/acquisition companies during DD visits and alliance negotiations, and representing clinical science on internal assessment teams in conjunction with BD teams
- As assigned, serves as clinical point of contact for ongoing alliance projects and interfaces with partner to achieve Takeda’s strategic goals while striving to maintain good working relationship between Takeda and partner.
- Provides guidance to clinical scientists who are involved in some of these activities.
- Interacts directly with research division based on pertinent clinical and development expertise and with NPP to provide knowledge/understanding of India market environment.
- Represents clinical science on high impact/priority task forces across the organization or external to the company.
- Hires, manages, mentors, motivates, empowers, develops and retains staff to support assigned activities. Drives performance management, career development, and team engagement.
- Build, manage/oversee and engage the India R&D members.
- Foster a high-performing team culture with a focus on development, well-being, and alignment with OTAU’s mission.
- Be a strong advocate for the Takeda ONE Oncology and R&D organizations in India in collaboration with India LOC; serve as local bridge for any future opportunities in engaging India innovation ecosystem.
- Point for escalation for resolution of complex country related issues & risk and serve as a site escalation point for oncology investigator concerns.
- Lead and develop oncology clinical strategies for India according to business needs as assigne**d
- Develop and maintain oncology clinical strategies for India; provide leadership and direction on priority setting, resource allocation, and risk management.
- MD, combined MD/PhD or internationally recognized equivalent.
- Clinical Training in Malignant Hematology and/or Medical Oncology preferred.
- Minimum 5 to 7 years of clinical research experience in the pharmaceutical industry, CRO health-related consulting company, or biomedical/clinical experience within academia (or a combination of aforementioned).
- Minimum of 4 to 5 years of people management experience in a healthcare or life sciences setting.
- Proven success in leading global or regional clinical development teams, including responsibility for multi-regional studies. Experience beyond US/EU is a plus.
- Experience with NDA/MAA Submission preferred.
- Demonstrated ability to lead and manage cross-functional medical, scientific and technical teams.
- Superior communication, strategic, interpersonal and negotiating skills
- Ability to anticipate challenges and drive proactive problem-solving
- Ability to drive decision-making within matrixed multi-regional teams
- Diplomacy and positive influencing abilities across diverse cultures
- Solid teamwork, organizational, interpersonal, and problem-solving skills; exercises good judgment with respect to Takeda confidential information and strategies
- Fluent business English (oral and written) and strong medical writing capabilities
- Deep understanding of oncology therapeutic areas, including mechanisms of action relevant to assigned compounds.
- Strong knowledge of global regulatory and compliance requirements, including but not limited to ICH GCP; awareness of local country requirements is essential.
- Familiarity with emerging research trends in designated therapeutic area
- TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS: Ability to drive to or fly to various meetings or client sites, including overnight trips. Some international travel may be required. Requires approximately 15 - 25% travel.
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
Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- Zasocitinib NDA submission planned FY2026 challenges Bristol Myers Squibb's Sotyktu.
- Rusfertide PDUFA target Q3 2026 under FDA Priority Review boosts polycythemia vera pipeline.
- Stock undervalued at ¥5,173 versus ¥6,036 fair value with post-FY2025 revenue recovery.
What critics are saying
- VYVANSE generic erosion crushes revenue beyond FY2025 stabilization.
- 634 US layoffs from July 2026 trigger talent exodus to Vertex.
- JPY 150B FY2026 restructuring costs overrun delays oveporexton launch.
What makes Takeda unique
- Takeda advances zasocitinib oral TYK2 inhibitor with positive Phase 3 LATITUDE data.
- Takeda secures exclusive global rights to rusfertide after Protagonist opt-out.
- Takeda restructures for $1.25B savings by FY2028 to fund multiple launches.
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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
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↑ 0%Takeda breaks up with Denali, dumps dementia drug. April 6, 2026 | Takeda and Denali Therapeutics first partnered in early 2018 to advance drugs for neurodegenerative diseases. One asset, for Alzheimer's disease, was previously discontinued after an FDA hold and disappointing early data. More than eight years after linking up, Takeda and Denali Therapeutics are going their separate ways, with the Japanese pharma handing all rights to a dementia program back to Denali. Takeda's decision to terminate its partnership with Denali "was driven by strategic considerations," the California biotech said in an SEC document dated April 3, and "is not related to efficacy or safety data." The Japanese pharma informed Denali of its decision that same day, according to the securities filing. The companies inked their partnership in January 2018, with Takeda fronting $150 million and promising unspecified milestone payments. Takeda and Denali had also previously been working on the TREM2 agonist DNL919 for Alzheimer's disease - but this molecule's development path has been bumpy. In January 2022, the FDA slapped a clinical hold on the asset, though the partners at the time did not disclose why. The hold was eventually lifted, but Takeda and Denali in August 2023 nevertheless discontinued DNL919's development, pointing to Phase 1 findings suggesting the drug had only a "narrow therapeutic window." In 2021, Takeda also exercised its option to co-develop and co-commercialize DNL593, a protein replacement therapy that can cross the blood-brain barrier, for frontotemporal dementia. That asset has since been returned to Denali, the biotech said on April 3. "We are looking forward to advancing DNL593 independently," CEO Ryan Watts said in a press statement that day, adding that the company "remain[s] confident" in the scientific rationale behind DNL593. DNL593 works by replacing the progranulin protein, which in frontotemporal dementia is deficient, leading to lysosomal defects that, in turn, result in the accumulation of toxins across different tissues. The asset is currently in a Phase 1/2 study, enrollment for which has completed with 40 recruited participants, according to Denali's April 3 release. There have been no reported safety signals to date, the biotech noted. Phase 1/2 data for DNL593 are expected before the end of this year, Watts said. Takeda's pullback comes just days after Denali delivered a much-needed win for the rare disease space with the FDA approval of its Hunter syndrome therapy Avlayah. Like DNL593, Avlayah works by replacing a deficient player, this time targeting the IDS enzyme, which under healthy conditions clears toxic byproducts from several organs, including the brain. Avlayah is the first Hunter syndrome therapy in nearly 20 years and is the first FDA-approved treatment to exploit the transferrin pathway to cross the blood-brain barrier. Avlayah is the first Hunter syndrome therapy approved to address the condition's neurologic complications, according to Tracy Beth Høeg, acting director of the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. March 26, 2026
Pharma giant Takeda to lay off nearly 250 local workers in latest job cutting. By Marin Wolf Globe Staff, Updated March 30, 2026, 10:00 a.m. Takeda Pharmaceuticals will lay off nearly 250 workers in Cambridge, the state's largest biopharma employer announced through a state filing. The layoffs will begin in July, although some will take place later in the year or in 2027. All affected Massachusetts employees work at the company's 500 Kendall St. location, according to the filing posted Friday. The workforce reduction is part of a cost-saving plan approved by Takeda's board of directors on March 25 that is expected to result in annual savings of about $1.25 billion by 2028, according to a company statement. Another 387 workers in other states may also be laid off as part of the plan.
Takeda Pharmaceuticals, Massachusetts' largest biopharmaceutical employer, will lay off 247 employees at its Cambridge headquarters as part of a broader corporate restructuring. The redundancies begin on 1 July and could extend into 2027. The Japanese company announced cost-cutting measures expected to save approximately $1.2 billion by 2028. An additional 387 employees will be laid off in other US states. Affected workers are receiving transition assistance, including help identifying internal opportunities. Takeda currently has around 700 open positions, including 300 in Massachusetts, with internal candidates given priority. The company employs more than 5,700 people in Massachusetts and occupies approximately 2.8 million square feet of real estate. This follows 137 layoffs announced in October and over 800 Massachusetts redundancies in 2024.
Takeda restructuring could push more than 600 US staffers out of jobs. March 30, 2026 | Takeda's layoffs include cutting 247 people in Massachusetts. The workforce reduction is meant to help offset investments in areas including a product launch for oral drug candidate zasocitinib, for which the pharma today announced positive Phase 3 data. The workforce impact of Takeda's recently announced reorganization has become clearer. The Japan-based pharma estimates the restructuring will affect around 634 U.S. employees, according to a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act notice. Takeda began notifying employees on March 25, the same day it announced a business transformation, which includes streamlining corporate functions. However, the company noted in the WARN notice that the total number affected could change as staff pursue and accept redeployment opportunities across its global network. Takeda's cuts include 247 employees in Cambridge, Massachusetts, effective July 1, 2026, through Dec. 31, 2027. To understand where other layoffs will take place, BioSpace has requested a copy of a document mentioned in the WARN notice that lists the number of individuals affected by state. In last week's announcement, Takeda noted that the restructuring, which includes "strategically prioritizing resources," is expected to save more than 200 billion yen - about $1.25 billion - by fiscal year 2028. The company explained that the savings will offset investments needed to prepare for multiple launches, including oveporexton, usfertide and zasocitinib; progress the late-stage pipeline; and support strategic technology investments. Takeda announced today promising data for zasocitinib, an oral tyrosine kinase 2 (TYK2) inhibitor, in adults with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis. In the Phase 3 Latitude PsO 3001 and 3002 studies, more than half of patients treated with the drug candidate achieved clear or almost clear skin at week 16, a key measure of treatment success, according to the pharma. Zasocitinib also demonstrated statistically significant improvements in complete skin clearance. Takeda expects to submit a new drug application for zasocitinib in fiscal year 2026. The pharma acquired zasocitinib from Nimbus Therapeutics for $4 billion at the end of 2022 to challenge Bristol Myers Squibb's kinase inhibitor Sotyktu. Takeda in December 2025 reported positive results from the Phase 3 LATITUDE studies, noting that when compared with placebo and Amgen's Otezla, about 30% of treated patients achieved completely clear skin, or a score of 100 on the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI). The company's latest layoffs join a series of cuts from the past two years. Takeda let go of nearly 1,500 employees in the U.S. and Austria in 2024 and early 2025 and 137 in October 2025. In January, news broke that 243 people would be laid off across its U.S. operations.
Takeda Healthcare Philippines, Inc. wins at Healthcare Asia Pharma Awards 2026. The access programme and advocacy initiative closed affordability gaps for Filipino patients. Takeda Healthcare Philippines, Inc. won Most Differentiated Service of the Year - Philippines and Patient Advocacy Program of the Year - Philippines in the Healthcare Asia Pharma Awards 2026 for its access model that supports patients from disease awareness to therapy completion. In a healthcare system where many patients face delayed diagnosis, long referral pathways, and high out-of-pocket costs, the company built a differentiated and sustainable service anchored on its Patient Assistance Program (PAP). The programme follows a clear principle: therapy completion should not depend on a patient's ability to pay. PAP uses an affordability-based assessment to evaluate each eligible patient's circumstances and set a contribution aligned to what the patient can reasonably afford for the full course of treatment. This structured, patient-level approach supports equity whilst maintaining business viability. It is not a standard discount model but a tailored access scheme designed for Filipino patients and adaptable to changing circumstances. The operating model involves independent third parties assessing financial support needs and informing programme design. Patients share in the cost of treatment, whilst Takeda Healthcare Philippines, Inc. collaborates with local authorities and partners to help cover the remaining cost. The company embeds access within hospital pathways through collaborations with organisations such as the Tzu Chi Foundation, private institutions, and major hospitals, helping reduce out-of-pocket expenses and improve coordination across the patient journey. Join Healthcare Asia Magazine community To date, more than 1,300 Filipino patients have received support through Takeda's access programme, including patients living with Hodgkin lymphoma, inflammatory bowel disease, and other rare conditions. By enabling therapy completion, the programme helps patients return to work or school and resume caregiving roles, reducing the broader social and economic burden of untreated disease. Beyond affordability, the company addresses inequity in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas by working with partners to strengthen patient navigation and connections to appropriate providers and specialists. Through Access to Medicines Summits and partnership frameworks, it also supports patients in accessing available private and government funding. A key milestone in its advocacy efforts is the inclusion of life-saving treatment for rare diseases such as haemophilia in the Philippine National Formulary, enabling free access to essential medicines in government hospitals following partnerships and a positive health technology assessment. The Healthcare Asia Pharma Awards shines a spotlight on the outstanding companies redefining pharmaceutical excellence in Asia. It lauds those who redefine the pharmaceutical landscape through innovative, unique initiatives that have significantly enhanced their businesses. The Healthcare Asia Pharma Awards is presented by Healthcare Asia Magazine. To view the full list of winners, click here. If you want to join the 2027 awards programme and be recognised for your organisation's innovative and unique initiatives that enhanced your business and remarkable contributions to the pharmaceutical industry, please contact Julie Anne Nuñez-Difuntorum at [email protected].