VP / SVP Research and Development

The opportunity

A Forbion portfolio company is seeking an accomplished scientific leader to join its R&D organisation as VP/SVP Research & Development.

The company is a science-led European biotech developing differentiated biologic medicines for serious diseases. It is advancing an innovative portfolio toward the clinic and is looking for a development-led leader who can connect strong science with rigorous translational strategy and execution.

This is not a conventional Head of Research role. The successful candidate will bring deep immunology expertise alongside substantial experience advancing assets from discovery and candidate selection through preclinical development and IND-enabling activities.

Working closely with the CSO and Discovery leadership, they will create a highly effective bridge between research and development. They will ensure programmes are scientifically differentiated, translationally credible, operationally disciplined and focused on the experiments that inform the most important decisions.

The role also offers the opportunity to shape how the organisation operates: developing scientific talent, raising the quality of programme discussions and acting as a trusted strategic partner to the CSO.

Key responsibilities

Research & preclinical development leadership

• Provide scientific and strategic leadership for programmes progressing from discovery through candidate selection, preclinical development and IND-enabling activities.

• Partner closely with Discovery leadership to ensure programmes transition with clear target product profiles, biological rationale and development plans.

• Establish rigorous translational strategies integrating mechanism of action, pharmacology, PK/PD, biomarkers, target engagement, efficacy, safety and clinically relevant models.

• Ensure programmes are designed from an early stage with human translation and clinical differentiation in mind.

• Identify critical scientific questions and development risks early, ensuring experiments generate decisive and actionable data.

• Maintain a high bar for scientific quality while balancing depth of investigation with the pace and pragmatism required in biotech.

• Provide appropriate scientific input to IND-enabling packages and regulatory submissions alongside relevant internal and external specialists.

Programme and portfolio execution

• Lead and develop Project Science Leads, establishing clear accountability for scientific strategy and programme delivery.

• Drive cross-functional teams against clearly defined milestones, timelines, decision points and stage gates.

• Establish robust programme plans from discovery through development-candidate nomination and IND-enabling development.

• Challenge programme assumptions constructively and ensure key decisions are grounded in high-quality evidence.

• Identify scientific, translational and execution risks early and develop pragmatic mitigation plans.

• Work with the CSO and Research Leadership Team on portfolio prioritisation, resource allocation and investment decisions.

• Create transparency around programme progress, critical-path activities and key scientific decisions.

• Bring energy, fresh ideas and a motivating leadership style that encourages teams to think ambitiously and act decisively.

External development and CRO leadership

• Own scientific relationships with key CROs and external research partners supporting preclinical development.

• Determine which capabilities should be accessed externally and select partners based on scientific quality, speed, technical fit and value.

• Ensure external studies are appropriately designed, commissioned, monitored and interpreted.

• Hold external partners accountable for agreed scientific quality, timelines, budget and deliverables.

• Ensure knowledge, interpretation and decision-making remain firmly owned internally when execution is outsourced.

Strategic partnership to the CSO

• Act as a close scientific and operational partner to the CSO across the R&D portfolio.

• Help drive activity, priorities and follow-through across the Research Leadership Team.

• Distil complex scientific information into clear options, risks and recommendations for executive decision-making.

• Prepare high-quality scientific materials for senior leadership, the Board, partners and external stakeholders.

• Support strategic diligence, collaboration discussions and scientific evaluation of external opportunities where relevant.

• Represent the company’s science credibly with partners, advisors, key opinion leaders and at scientific meetings.

Candidate profile

The successful candidate will be an accomplished immunologist and drug-development leader with stronger experience on the translational and preclinical-development side of R&D than in research alone.

They are likely to bring:

• PhD, MD/PhD or equivalent advanced scientific training in immunology, tumour immunology, molecular/cell biology, pharmacology or a related discipline.

• Approximately 15+ years of relevant R&D experience in biotech and/or biopharma.

• Deep expertise in immunology, ideally spanning human immunology, immune-mediated disease, inflammation and/or tumour immunology.

• Demonstrated experience progressing therapeutic programmes through candidate selection and IND-enabling development.

• Strong translational-science capability across human biology, biomarkers, PK/PD, target engagement, pharmacology and clinically relevant models.

• Experience designing and interpreting in vitro, ex vivo and in vivo studies supporting therapeutic development.

• Working knowledge of nonclinical safety, toxicology, bioanalytics and regulatory requirements associated with IND/CTA submissions.

• Significant experience managing CROs and specialist external partners through defined study objectives, decision criteria, timelines and budgets.

• Strong programme and portfolio judgement, including the ability to make difficult stop/go decisions based on incomplete or evolving datasets.

• A demonstrated ability to lead, motivate and develop high-calibre scientific teams.

• Exceptional communication skills and comfort operating from detailed scientific discussion through to executive and Board-level dialogue.

• Experience across more than one relevant biotech and/or pharmaceutical environment is preferred.

What success looks like

The successful VP/SVP will establish an effective bridge between discovery and development.

They will ensure promising biology is converted into well-characterised, differentiated and development-ready therapeutic candidates, with critical translational and execution risks identified early and addressed decisively.

They will bring greater discipline to programme design and external research, sharper portfolio decision-making and stronger momentum across the R&D organisation.

Just as importantly, they will help create an environment in which talented scientists are motivated by the work, clear on priorities and confident to pursue new ideas while remaining focused on the data and decisions that matter most.