Rhythm Pharmaceuticals

Commercializes MC4R-targeted therapies for rare obesity

Medical Affairs Lead

Biology & BiotechPosted on Nov 10

Full-timeChiyoda City, Tokyo, JapanNo salary listed

About the Job

Requirements

An advanced degree is required.
At least 3–5 years of relevant experience in the pharmaceutical and/or biotechnology industry is required.
Ability to interpret scientific literature and clinical data, with experience in medical strategy development, publication planning, and congress execution.
Track record in generating and disseminating real-world evidence.
Strong scientific communication skills with internal and external stakeholders, including confident presentation and facilitation.
Familiarity with Japanese regulatory, compliance, and ethical standards governing Medical Affairs activities.
Excellent communication and presentation skills in Japanese and English.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including PowerPoint, Word, and Excel.
Ability to travel as necessary, up to 20%.

Responsibilities

Contribute to the development of the Japan Medical Affairs plan, aligned with international and local integrated strategies and guided by the Medical Director, Japan.
Execute medical tactics and operational activities outlined in the Medical Affairs plan.
Plan, organize, and execute advisory boards with the Medical Director, Japan and International Medical Affairs.
Build and maintain relationships with Principal Investigators, Key External Experts, and medical societies in Japan.
Co-develop and implement the publication plan with International Medical Affairs; ensure timely delivery of abstracts, manuscripts, and congress presentations.
Coordinate scientific activities at congresses and ensure alignment with publication and communication strategies.
Develop and deliver scientific training and educational content for internal teams, including Scientific Affairs Managers and commercial teams.
Provide ongoing scientific and medical support to field teams and cross-functional partners.
Support review of promotional and non-promotional materials for scientific accuracy and compliance, and participate in labeling and review meetings as needed.
Assist in collaborative research and investigator-initiated studies; contribute to protocol review and scientific oversight.
Interpret clinical and real-world data to inform medical insights and evidence-generation priorities.
Collaborate with Regulatory, Clinical Development, Market Access, Marketing, and International Medical Affairs to ensure integrated execution of medical initiatives.
Ensure compliance with Japanese regulations, company policies, and industry standards, including JPMA and IFPMA principles.
Provide medical input for external-facing materials and activities while maintaining separation from promotional decision-making.
Strengthen relationships with Key External Experts and drive scientific engagement.
Contribute to development of a scientific communication platform and ensure consistency of messaging.
Support activities related to gathering access information for rare diseases and pediatric chronic conditions.
Support NDA submission activities, including interactions with regulatory authorities and preparation of related documentation.
Track progress against Medical Affairs plan deliverables and report metrics to the Medical Director, Japan.
Build relationships with patient advocacy groups to increase disease awareness.
Perform additional responsibilities as needed to support the team and company objectives.

Desired Qualifications

Prior Medical Affairs experience is strongly preferred.
Knowledge of rare diseases is a plus.
Launch experience is a plus.
Experience working for a U.S. company and/or a fast-paced company is a plus.

Company Overview
Rhythm is a global, commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company committed to transforming the lives of patients living with rare neuroendocrine diseases. We develop medicines for previously untreatable or undertreated diseases. We recognize the courage it takes for patients and their caregivers to begin their journey of advocacy to find the answers they need. Their courage inspires us to challenge convention, ask bold questions and seek answers for them. Every day, we strive for excellence through our willingness to adapt, learn, and our tenacity to overcome barriers, together.
Job Summary
Rhythm seeks a Medical Manager in Japan with strong scientific and medical acumen to manage and support the development and execution of the Japan Medical Affairs plan and related medical tactics under the direction of the Medical Director, Japan. This role collaborates closely with International Medical Affairs and cross-functional partners (Regulatory, Clinical Development, Market Access, Marketing). Key responsibilities include planning and running advisory boards, co-developing publication plans, coordinating congress presentations, executing medical peer to peer events and building high-quality scientific education programs for internal field teams. The role requires robust skills in interpreting research and contributing to evidence generation and scientific communications.
Responsibilities and Duties

Contribute to the development of the Japan Medical Affairs plan in alignment with international and local integrated strategies and under the guidance of the Medical Director, Japan
Execute medical tactics and operational activities outlined in the Medical Affairs plan
Plan, organize, and execute advisory boards in collaboration with the Medical Director, Japan and International Medical Affairs
Build and maintain relationships with Principal Investigators, Key External Experts (KEEs), and medical societies in Japan
Co-develop and implement the publication plan with International Medical Affairs; ensure timely delivery of abstracts, manuscripts, and congress presentations
Coordinate scientific activities at congresses and ensure alignment with publication and communication strategies
Develop and deliver scientific training and educational content for internal teams, including SAMs (Scientific Affairs Managers) and FDLs/HALs (commercial teams)
Provide ongoing scientific and medical support to field teams and cross-functional partners
Support the review of promotional and non-promotional materials for scientific accuracy and compliance; participate in labeling and review meetings as needed
Assist in collaborative research and investigator-initiated studies; contribute to protocol review and scientific oversight
Interpret clinical and real-world data to inform medical insights and evidence generation priorities
Collaborate with Regulatory, Clinical Development, Market Access, Marketing, and International Medical Affairs to ensure integrated execution of medical initiatives
Ensure compliance with Japanese regulations, company policies, and industry standards (e.g., JPMA/IFPMA principles)
Provide medical input for external-facing materials and activities while maintaining separation from promotional decision-making
Strengthen relationships with KEEsand drive scientific engagement
Contribute to the development of a scientific communication platform and ensure consistency of messaging
Support activities related to gathering access information for rare diseases and pediatric chronic conditions
Support NDA submission activities, including interactions with regulatory authorities and preparation of related documentation
Track progress against medical plan deliverables and report metrics to the Medical Director, Japan
Build relationship with related patient advocacy groups for increasing disease awareness
Additional responsibilities as needed to support the team and company objectives.

Qualifications and Skills

Advanced degree required; PhD,MPH or MD preferred
Minimum 3–5 years of relevant experience in the pharmaceutical and/or biotech industry; prior Medical Affairs experience strongly preferred
Knowledge of rare diseases is a plus
Launch experience is a plus
Experience working for a US company and/or fast-paced company as a plus
Demonstrated ability to interpret scientific literature and clinical data; experience in medical strategy development, publication planning and congress execution
Track-record in terms of Real-World-Evidence generation and dissemination
Strong skills in scientific communication to internal and external stakeholders; confident presenter and facilitator
Familiarity with Japanese regulatory, compliance, and ethical standards governing Medical Affairs activities
Excellent communication and presentation skills in Japanese and English
Proven ability to collaborate in cross-functional and international settings; proactive, detail-oriented, and operationally strong
Proficient in Microsoft Office (PowerPoint, Word, Excel)
Ability to travel as necessary (up to 20%)

More about Rhythm
We are a dynamic and growing global team spanning more than a dozen countries. At Rhythm we are dedicated to transforming the lives of patients living with rare melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R) pathway diseases by rapidly advancing care and precision medicines that address the root cause. Our team is passionate about expanding access to reach more patients and developing novel therapies for other rare neuroendocrine diseases, including congenital hyperinsulinism.
At Rhythm Our Core Values Are

We are committed to advancing scientific understanding to improve patients’ lives
We are inspired to tackle tough challenges and have the courage to ask bold questions
We are eager to learn and adapt
We believe collaboration and ownership are foundational for our success
We value the unique contribution each individual brings to furthering our mission

Inherent in our core values is the commitment to act ethically and with integrity in all we do.

About the Company

Rhythm Pharmaceuticals

Commercializes MC4R-targeted therapies for rare obesity

Rhythm Pharmaceuticals focuses on developing therapies for rare neuroendocrine genetic obesity disorders, led by IMCIVREE (setmelanotide). IMCIVREE is an MC4R agonist that restores signaling in the MC4R pathway to curb hunger and regulate energy use; it is FDA, EC, and MHRA approved for Bardet-Biedl syndrome and certain POMC/PCSK1/LEPR deficiencies in patients aged 2 and older, with revenue from global sales. The company differentiates itself by pursuing precision medicine for MC4R pathway diseases and advancing additional MC4R programs like bivamelagon and RM-718. Rhythm’s goal is to broaden access to MC4R-targeted therapies for rare patient populations and grow its pipeline toward sustainable commercialization.

Company size: 501-1,000
Company stage: IPO
Headquarters: Boston, MA
Founded: 2008

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