The Asahi Kasei Group operates with a commitment of creating for tomorrow.  Our business sectors, Materials, Homes, and Health Care, contribute to the development of society by anticipating the changing needs of those around the world. We look for candidates that offer a fresh perspective and a variety of skills to help us achieve our commitment.

Asahi Kasei Therapeutics is the global specialty pharmaceutical business of Asahi Kasei. We are a commercial-stage company committed to positively impacting health by expanding therapeutic options that improve the lives of patients around the world. Drawing upon our strong heritage of scientific innovation, we aim to help reshape care in transplantation, nephrology, immunology, infectious diseases and other underserved conditions.

Job Description:

The Medical Director, Infectious Diseases is a core member of the Medical Affairs leadership team and plays a critical role in shaping and executing the strategic medical vision for Veloxis’s growing infectious diseases portfolio, with an initial focus on refractory herpes simplex virus (HSV) infections in immunocompromised patients. The incumbent leads the development and drives the implementation of the  infectious diseases medical strategy, including launch readiness, lifecycle planning, evidence generation, and scientific engagement strategies for the medical affairs department’s strategic plans, in support of Medical Affairs, Research and Development, and corporate objectives The incumbent works cross-functionally in a dynamic, matrixed environment and engages externally with key opinion leaders (KOLs), patient advocates, professional societies, and healthcare decision-makers to strengthen Veloxis’s scientific leadership, as well as brings deep expertise in infectious diseases,, strategic acumen, and a proven ability to lead in a high-growth, fast-paced setting.

The base compensation range for this role is $240 - 250K. Base Compensation is influenced by many factors including, but not limited to: time in the role, previous experience, skills, knowledge, performance, work requirements, internal equity, and business / economic conditions.

• Leads the development of the annual medical strategic plan together with Medical Affair leadership team and in alignment with Research and Development and Corporate objectives.
• Contributes to the medical evidence generation strategy, including real-world evidence (RWE), investigator-sponsored studies (IIS), and collaborative research efforts designed to address key evidence gaps. Provide medical input into clinical development plans, target product profiles, and lifecycle management strategies across pipeline and marketed products.
• Builds and maintains trusted partnerships with key opinion leaders, academic experts, healthcare providers, patient advocacy groups, and payer decision-makers to inform strategy, guide insight generation, and elevate Veloxis’ leadership in infectious diseases and the infection management of immunocompromised patients.
• Serves as an internal medical advisor to cross functional colleagues and as an infectious diseases medical point of contact for key cross-functional teams and committees.
• Serves as a core medical contributor to business development, corporate venture capital, and open innovation efforts, including scientific due diligence, asset evaluation, and integration of medical insights into opportunity assessments.
• Contributes to publication strategy development in partnership with cross-functional colleagues. Ensures timely execution of data dissemination plans that meet scientific, regulatory, and organizational needs.
• Collaborates with Medical Communications to ensure consistent and high-quality scientific communications across congresses, symposia, digital channels, and educational initiatives.
• Contributes to content review committee medical accuracy and scientific review of promotional and non-promotional materials.
• Supports pipeline planning and early-phase development efforts, providing medical input on target product profiles, data interpretation, and clinical differentiation.
• Leads the conduct of advisory boards and contributes to diverse insight gathering activities.
• Contributes to the medical grant program, including establishing key objectives and participating in review.
• Partners with HEOR and Market Access to support value-based evidence generation and to provide direct medical payer engagement, as appropriate.
• Collaborates closely with the Field Medical teams to ensure strategic alignment, integration of insights into strategic planning, and to support continuous training and relevant content development to ensure scientific readiness and excellence in external engagement throughout launch and product lifecycles.
• Participates in national and regional conferences, meetings, consortia, and other scientific forums, as appropriate, to support medical affairs strategic objectives. Directly with relevant infectious diseases, transplant, hematology/oncology, and immunocompromised host scientific communities.

• Provides coaching and leadership to junior team members and direct reports, fostering a culture of excellence, collaboration, and continuous development.
• Contributes to the development of SOPs, best practices, and functional standards to ensure medical activities are executed efficiently, ethically, and compliantly. Supports audit readiness and quality improvement initiatives.
• Actively monitors the changing healthcare landscape to identify emerging global scientific, clinical and health policy trends.

• M.D. or D.O. with specialization in Infectious Diseases strongly preferred. Candidates with an alternative Doctoral degree in a health sciences-related field (e.g., PharmD or Ph.D.) will be considered with demonstrated expertise in antiviral therapeutics and significant clinical practice experience.  
• Minimum of 8 years’ experience in the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry, or a combination of 5+ years of strong clinical/academic experience with demonstrated industry collaboration.
• Infectious disease therapeutic area experience is required, with expertise in antiviral therapy, HSV, transplant infectious diseases, hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, or other immunocompromised patient populations considered highly relevant. Demonstrated ability to lead strategic initiatives and work cross-functionally in a matrixed environment.
• Demonstrated ability, or potential, to excel in smaller entrepreneurial organizations.
• Strong statistical knowledge with a demonstrated ability to interpret study findings and communicate appropriately.
• Able to prioritize and work in a fast-paced and changing environment.
• Exceptional interpersonal, presentation, and communication skills.
• Innovative thinker, strategic leader, valued collaborator and hands-on tactical performer with a successful track record and a strong drive to succeed.
• A strong sense of ethics, compliance, and integrity.

Ability to travel up to 30% including international and weekend travel.

#LI-AS1 #Hybrid
 

As an equal opportunity employer, Asahi Kasei believes a diverse workforce will provide us with the ability to continuously support the changes in the economy, society, and environment.