Associate Director/Director - Ventures Asia Pacific

Job Description

AbbVie Ventures represents the strategic investment arm of the company and a core component of AbbVie's integrated approach to external innovation. We invest in early-stage transformational scientific opportunities that augment our core R&D areas within oncology, immunology, neuroscience, specialty (e.g., obesity), and aesthetics. We invest proactively to access transformative early-stage science, exceptional talent, and emerging biotech ecosystems.

Our investments and interactions with fellow investors, scientists, physicians, and entrepreneurs provide us insights into novel biology and technologies that result in targeted enhancement of our scientific knowledge as well as early assessments of potential future business development opportunities. Our broad and deep expertise in drug discovery, development, manufacturing, and commercialization is a valuable resource to even the earliest stage companies. Through this proactive engagement with the scientific community, we are building our reputation as a committed leader in the biotechnology ecosystem, while supplementing our R&D pipeline in a capital-efficient manner. 

Responsibilities:

Proactive opportunity sourcing:

• Build awareness regarding AbbVie and the Venture group amongst interconnected networks of early-stage life science focused venture investors and company creators, entrepreneurs, scientific founders, and accelerators/incubators globally.
• Participate in partnering meetings and conferences to identify and evaluate potential investment opportunities that are consistent with AbbVie R&D strategies.
• Contribute to deal flow management (triage, log and track opportunities) for internal reporting and knowledge sharing of external innovations.

Deal evaluation and execution:

• Lead the assessment (in close collaboration with Search & Evaluation and Discovery Research teams) and drive the evaluation process and timeline, developing recommendations and proposals for senior management consideration, based on thorough technical review and unique insights.
• Assist in developing effective deal structure optionality, risk mitigation and negotiation strategies and ensure alignment with AbbVie objectives and functional management.
• Help drive the investment process and deal execution, including supporting the diligence team and cross-functional internal review to present the investment recommendation to the Investment Committee, negotiating deal documents and managing the closing process.

Portfolio management:

• Participate in reviews and monitor AbbVie Ventures’ portfolio companies by keeping abreast of developments within the companies, building and maintaining good working relationships with executive management and the Board of Directors, and participating in Board meetings.
• Serve as an additional point of contact for portfolio companies within AbbVie to ensure alignment and engagement with key internal stakeholders. 

Qualifications

• Advanced degree in life sciences (PhD, MD PhD) with at least 6+ yr of postgraduate experience. Drug discovery experience is preferred, but not required, with ability to work across all AbbVie core areas of interest (oncology, immunology, neuroscience, specialty/obesity, aesthetics).
• 3+ yr of Investment experience in early-stage life science is required (focus on pre-Seed through Series B, including business incubation/company creation).
• Good understanding of the drug discovery, development, regulatory, and commercialization process for evaluation of pharmaceutical opportunities; should have rigorous scientific knowledge to objectively evaluate potential business opportunities.
• Exceptional talent and organizational skills to evaluate target opportunities and produce high quality analyses. Ability to drive projects to deliver timely results and follow through on commitments.
• Strong communication skills to effectively communicate business strategies and capabilities internally and externally, present individual and team recommendations clearly and concisely, and promote cross-functional communication.
• Proactive and engaging social and networking skills to reach out to a broad range of industry decision makers to keep abreast of emerging opportunities. An established network and personal brand in the biopharma community preferred.
• Candidate must be able to act independently without daily onsite managerial supervision. This role will be based in the Shanghai, China, area. The role will require domestic and international travel of ~25%. 

Additional Information

AbbVie is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to operating with integrity, driving innovation, transforming lives and serving our community.  Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled. 

US & Puerto Rico only - to learn more, visit https://www.abbvie.com/join-us/equal-employment-opportunity-employer.html

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