Preclinical Development Leader (Sr Director / Director)

Welcome!

Ovid Therapeutics is a biopharmaceutical company developing medicines designed to conquer seizures with courageous science. We exist to serve and meaningfully improve the lives of people affected by epilepsies and brain disorders with seizure symptoms.

It is with curiosity, courage, and tenacity that, together, we work for meaningful change in the lives of patients and their families. With this sense of purpose and urgency we challenge the conventional and embrace the wisdom and thought that comes from diverse backgrounds and perspectives. Importantly, we understand the commitment we make to our patients, our broad community and to each other is based on the humanity that we share.

Your Role On Our Team

Ovid Therapeutics is seeking a dynamic and motivated scientific leader to join our Research group and lead our PreClinical and DMPK efforts across multiple programs from early discovery through clinical development. This role will be responsible for integrating DMPK, toxicology, and preclinical work to support IND enabling studies. You will be the subject matter expert and key contributor for both internal and external teams as we move forward to advance our exciting pipeline.

Reporting to the CSO, this is a highly visible and team-facing role.

This position is hybrid, ideally in the New England area, within easy access to our main office in NYC and meetings in Boston. You must be willing and able to attend Company-sponsored in-person meetings and events.

On any given day, you'll spend time....

• As part of a small and collaborative team, you will lead the integration of DMPK, Toxicology and Pharmacology findings to accelerate programs through the development process.
• Primary point person to lead IND-enabling studies from protocol to final reports.
• In collaboration with the CSO, lead and drive Preclinical, toxicology and DMPK strategy for programs in discovery and development phases and represent the function to project management and leadership teams.
• Primarily act as a key expert for DMPK and safety assessment during the drug discovery phase, providing specific knowledge and expertise to cross-functional project teams (including clinical, CMC and regulatory functions) and communicating with clarity the predicted implications of new targets/therapeutic concepts.
• Significant cross-functional interactions are expected with collaboration between pharmacology, toxicology, clinical and CMC. The successful candidate will have a proven track record of successfully leading studies to enable IND filing, as well as having impactful contributions to drug discovery.
• Leading, designing and analyzing in vitro and in vivo studies that provide insight into the ADME properties of brain penetrant small molecules.
• Serve as subject matter expert internally and in collaborations with technology partners and vendors.
• Successfully identify and manage CROs regarding DMPK study execution and reporting to meet program timelines, develop effective relationships with external consultants.
• Apply PK/PD modeling to inform clinical dosing strategies and to support Formulations.
• Provide the Preclinical, DMPK/Tox development strategy to position programs for clinical development in accordance with regulatory guidance. Act as primary author for DMPK and Toxicology sections of regulatory submissions; serve as reviewer of all non-clinical IND summaries, IB and agency correspondences.
• This role will support a broad range of activities including discovery, preclinical and development stages of the pipeline across multiple therapeutic programs. The successful candidate will apply DMPK expertise and knowledge and employ cutting edge techniques to answer critical DMPK questions as they relate to pharmacology, toxicology, and clinical development
  
  
  

Your Expertise - minimum requirements

• Minimum of BS in a related field with 10 years of relevant DMPK, toxicology, and/or preclinical experience
• Small molecule experience in drug discovery teams
• Demonstrated experience for leading DMPK and/or preclincial efforts for IND enabling studies
  
  
  

Your Background and Experience - preferred qualifications

• MS with 8 years or PhD with 6 years of relevant experience in pharmaceutical drug discovery and development
• Degree in a relevant biomedical field
• Experience leading a team/function to and through IND enabling studies
• Demonstrated productivity for leading DMPK, toxicology, and/or preclinical efforts for multiple discovery projects from start to IND
• Project leadership in preclinical candidate selections
• Experience in broad preclinical development decision making
• In-depth conceptual and technical expertise in drug metabolism and bioanalysis in small molecule discovery and development program
• Familiar with ICH regulatory guidance relevant to DMPK/Tox activities
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing in an interdisciplinary environment
• Ability to collaborate effectively both within and across teams
• Must be self-motivated, proactive, work well under pressure and deadlines, and thrive in a small “all hands-on deck” environment
• Ability to coordinate work on several simultaneous projects
  
  
  

Ovid operates in a hybrid-work model with its corporate office in NYC, New York. Candidates applying must be willing and able to be in the NYC/Boston area and in-person in the NYC office in coordination with their manager's expectations, as well as department and business needs.

Level and title for the role will be dependent on several factors including, but not limited to relevant experience, qualifications, skills, and performance expectations.

The base salary range for this position is $220,000 - $260,000. The actual salary offered within the range is dependent on a variety of factors including, but not limited to, relevant experience, qualifications, skills, level offered, and performance expectations.