Director of Business Development – CMC (Ajinomoto Bio-Pharma Services)

About Forge Biologics, Ajinomoto & AJIPHASE®

Ajinomoto Co., Inc. is a global leader in amino acid science, biotechnology, and healthcare, with an expanding global presence in biopharmaceutical development and contract manufacturing. Through Ajinomoto Bio-Pharma Services, the company combines decades of scientific and manufacturing expertise in Japan with an international network serving innovative pharmaceutical and biotechnology partners.

At the heart of this opportunity is AJIPHASE®, Ajinomoto's proprietary hybrid solid/solution-phase synthesis technology for manufacturing high-purity oligonucleotides and peptides. AJIPHASE® offers a proven, highly scalable approach to complex synthesis — from milligram quantities to over 200 kg — with an established track record supporting FDA-approved commercial drug products under cGMP conditions. AJIPHASE® sits alongside Ajinomoto's broader portfolio of proprietary technologies, including CORYNEX® (microbial protein and peptide expression) and AJICAP® (site-specific ADC technology), reflecting the company's continued investment in advancing biopharmaceutical manufacturing.

This position offers a unique commercial opportunity to bring a highly differentiated, proprietary Japanese biomanufacturing technology to the rapidly evolving North American biopharmaceutical market. You will be employed by Forge Biologics, a U.S.-based subsidiary of Ajinomoto Co., Inc., while serving as a dedicated strategic bridge to Ajinomoto Bio-Pharma Services — the primary commercial and technical link between North American clients and Ajinomoto's specialized manufacturing teams in Japan.

About The Role: 

As a vital member of the Client Development department, the Director of Business Development drives strategic growth by generating high-value partnerships for our innovative AJIPHASE® platform-based oligonucleotide and peptide CDMO business within Ajinomoto Bio-Pharma Services. Reporting to the VP of Business Development, this individual identifies new leads among pharma and biotech innovators and oversees technical project management ensuring precise CMC coordination between North American clients and the AJIPHASE® technical manufacturing teams based in Japan. Additionally, this role includes navigation of contract negotiations and securing of clinical and commercial API pipelines.

Responsibilities:

• Generates high-value sales leads and active clinical and/or commercial pipeline opportunities in North America for our AJIPHASE® liquid-phase synthesis technology targeting pharmaceutical and biotechnology clients developing oligonucleotides and/or peptides.
• Coordinates technical project workflows, overseeing standard Chemistry, Manufacturing, and Controls (CMC) requirements to guarantee technical alignment with target clients.
• Facilitates direct, cross-border technical communications and operational alignment with the AJIPHASE® expert technical teams based in Japan.
• Negotiates and structures complex master services agreements (MSAs) and technical commercial statements of work (SOW) to win and finalize new client programs.
• Presents technical capabilities of the AJIPHASE® platform to technical executives at industry conferences and scientific forums to develop brand recognition and new leads.
• Travels domestically to build and maintain client relationships across major biopharma clusters, with periodic international travel to Japan to align with AJIPHASE® technical and manufacturing teams.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in a life sciences field (e.g., Chemistry, Biochemistry, Biotechnology) or a business degree paired with substantial technical pharmaceutical experience.
• 3–5 years of dedicated experience in Business Development
• 3+ years of hands-on experience with CMC at a pharmaceutical or biotech company, or in a CMC support role at CDMO company.
• Demonstrated familiarity with high-level CRM data architecture and technical CMC documentation workflows.
• Experience collaborating across global time zones.
• Ability and willingness to travel domestically between 25-50% of the time, along with international travel to Japan approximately 2-3 times per year.

Preferred Skills:

• Strong CMC-related skills and technical baseline knowledge in chemistry and synthesis of oligonucleotides and/or
• Established commercial network within major global biopharma clusters (e.g., Boston, San Francisco, Europe).
• Direct experience handling cross-cultural communications and corporate operations within a global Japanese or multinational entity.

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned. 

Work Environment and Physical Demands  

This position is performed in a temperature-controlled hybrid office environment or remotely while executing business travel requirements. The role requires prolonged sitting or standing at a workstation, intense hand manipulation for continuous computer use, and regular regional or international travel to client sites and production facilities in Japan.

Forge Biologics is an equal opportunity employer dedicated to building an inclusive and diverse workforce. Forge Biologics, provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.