Associate Director, Early Stage Drug Product Development at Acadia

**Who this is for** This position is ideal for an Associate Director with a background in pharmaceutical sciences looking to contribute to the early stages of d

Work type: hybrid

Location: Princeton, New Jersey, United States; San Diego, California, United States

Salary: $154,000 – $192,700/yr

Type: Full-time

Summary

**Who this is for** This position is ideal for an Associate Director with a background in pharmaceutical sciences looking to contribute to the early stages of drug product development. You will play a crucial role in formulating candidates for preclinical and early clinical trials. **Key highlights** You will be responsible for developing pharmaceutical formulations for early-stage clinical trials and preclinical studies, as well as supporting drug discovery teams in candidate selection. This role involves managing activities at Contract Service Providers and ensuring the developability of new chemical entities. **You might be a good fit if you...** - Hold an advanced degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences. - Have experience in designing and developing pharmaceutical formulations for early-stage development. - Are skilled in evaluating and managing Contract Service Providers (CSPs). - Can conduct physicochemical characterizations and author technical reports for regulatory submissions.

Job Description

About Acadia Pharmaceuticals

Acadia is committed to turning scientific promise into meaningful innovation that makes the difference for underserved neurological and rare disease communities around the world. Our commercial portfolio includes the first and only FDA-approved treatments for Parkinson’s disease psychosis and Rett syndrome. We are developing the next wave of therapeutic advancements with a robust and diverse pipeline that includes mid- to late-stage programs in Alzheimer’s disease psychosis and Lewy body dementia psychosis, along with earlier-stage programs that address other underserved patient needs. At Acadia, we’re here to be their difference.

Seeking talent near: Princeton, NJ ; San Diego, CA

Position Summary

The Associate Director in the Early Stage Drug Product Development organization at Acadia is responsible for the development of pharmaceutical formulations primarily intended for early-stage clinical trials and preclinical animal studies. This role also supports drug discovery teams by assisting in the selection of optimal drug candidates through detailed physicochemical characterization and assessment of compound properties. The incumbent will focus on formulation strategies tailored to early development phases, ensuring that candidates are suitably prepared for initial safety and efficacy evaluations. Additionally, collaboration with research scientists and external partners is essential to address technical challenges and advance promising compounds toward clinical readiness.

The incumbent will be responsible for management of activities relating to the above at the Contract Service Providers (CSPs) and will contribute both internally and externally in resolution of complex technological issues The role will be critical in ensuring that we select developable drug candidates, reduce risk and accelerate the introduction of new chemical entities into the Acadia pipeline.

Primary Responsibilities

• Designs and develops pharmaceutical formulations to support early stage clinical trials, providing acceleration options such as on-site compounding and impromptu type of drug products.

• Evaluate and validate new drug product CSPs (Contract Service Providers) to support development, oversee operations at existing suppliers. Initiate and manage supplier contract agreements as necessary.

• Coordinate and supervise the development of clinical formulations and finished dosage forms at CSPs. Serves as person-in-the plant at the CSP sites.

• Plans project-related scientific and technical activities, e.g. interpretation of results, evaluation of data, formulates relevant and scientifically based conclusions, writes and presents technical reports.

• With Translational Sciences teams, plans conduct of preclinical and toxicological studies and develops requisite formulations for the same considering developability of the new drug candidates.

• Develops phase appropriate formulations for new drug candidates in FIH, Phase 1 and POC studies employing resource sparing approaches such as compounded formulations and/or on-site preparations.

• Conduct physicochemical characterizations of the new drug candidates to support developability assessments.

• Authors and reviews technical reports and documents suitable for regulatory submissions. Reviews MBRs, BPRs, development reports and relevant documents prepared by CSPs.

• Liaises with the CMC team, late-stage formulation team, and formulation development management to establish the development strategy for formulation of the new drug candidates.

• Adheres to cGMP work practices and works closely with the Quality Assurance to ensure strict compliance with applicable GXP procedures and compliance requirements. Collaborates with regulatory teams in preparation of the health authority submissions for the early clinical trial applications (e.g. IND, CTA, IMPD)

• Other responsibilities as assigned.

Advanced degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, or related field. An equivalent combination of relevant education and applicable industry experience may be considered. A minimum of 10 years’ experience in progressively responsible roles in formulation and manufacturing process development with some experience in leadership role desired. Demonstrated success in the field of formulations and dosage form development. Experience authoring technical reports and CMC sections for regulatory filings.

Must possess:

• Comprehensive understanding of the physicochemical characterization of new drug candidates to assess developability, formulations for early stage clinical studies, and dosage form formulation and package development.

• Extensive knowledge of cGMPs.

• Skilled at managing CSPs.

• Demonstrated verbal and written communication skills.

• Adept at effectively aligning resources across multiple functional areas to achieve functional area goals.

• Flexibility to travel domestically and internationally.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, see, talk or hear in a standard office environment and independently from remote locations. Employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 pounds. Ability to travel to domestic and international locations is required.

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In addition to a competitive base salary, this position is also eligible for discretionary bonus and equity awards based on factors such as individual and organizational performance. Actual amounts will vary depending on experience, performance, and location.

Salary Range
$154,000—$192,700 USD

What we offer US-based Employees:

• Competitive base, bonus, new hire and ongoing equity packages

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance

• Employer-paid life, disability, business travel and EAP coverage

• 401(k) Plan with a fully vested company match 1:1 up to 5%

• Employee Stock Purchase Plan with a 2-year purchase price lock-in

• 15+ vacation days

• 13 -15 paid holidays, including office closure between December 24th and January 1st

• 10 days of paid sick time

• Paid parental leave benefit

• Tuition assistance

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