Pharmaceutical Development
The Pharmaceutical Development group is well positioned and central to the process by which we take molecules from discovery and turn them into drugs that can be used by patients. We determine how to make the active ingredients, how to make an actual dosage form (tablet, capsule and injection), how to test it for purity and how to ensure it consistently delivers safe and effective drug levels.
The Pharmaceutical Development group works with colleagues throughout the development process—from discovery, all the way to commercial launch, at which point we transition the product to the manufacturing division. As part of development, we also manufacture, package, label and distribute all of the clinical supplies for each and every clinical study that our company runs in more than 50 countries.
"Our job is to ensure that the drugs are there when the patient is ready, no matter where the patient is located," says Mark Powell, M.D., senior vice president, Pharmaceutical Development.
All of this work gets more complex as we increase our focus on biologics as part of our transition to a next-generation BioPharma company. Pharmaceutical development activities for biologics are considerably different compared to small molecules and require reshaping the divisional relationship between pharmaceutical development and the technical operations group that’s responsible for manufacturing. The entire operating model will change including, when molecules transition from development into manufacturing, how roles and responsibilities for the two divisions are coordinated and what talent is needed to make it all work smoothly.
Historically, pharmaceutical development has been the domain of chemists, analysts, engineers and physical pharmacists. But discrete expertise in new areas is becoming more critical during the transition to a next-generation BioPharma company.
The Pharmaceutical Development group is looking to fill critical positions for synthetic process chemists, chemical and bio engineers, analytical chemists, pharmacists, biochemists, microbiologists, as well as proven team builders. Those who appreciate the challenge of pursuing unique scientific discovery in an emerging field, and who demonstrate solid operational, interpersonal, project management and collaborative skills, are welcomed.