Astellas Pharma Inc.

【募集の背景 / Purpose & Scope】

[Head, Discovery ADME]

We are seeking an experienced scientific leader to head our Discovery ADME function within Oncology Research.

In this role, you will shape and drive ADME and safety strategies that critically influence the success of drug candidates from early discovery through the transition to clinical development.

You will partner closely with project and research leaders to optimize pharmacokinetics, safety, and developability across diverse therapeutic modalities, while building a globally competitive ADME organization known for scientific excellence, speed, and impact.

This is a senior leadership position with meaningful scientific and organizational decision-making authority, reporting to the Head of Formulation & ADME.

【職務の内容 / Essential Job Responsibilities】

（雇入れ直後）

•Lead the Discovery ADME organization, setting scientific direction and strategy to optimize drug candidates for efficacy, safety, and developability.

•Act as a people manager for the Discovery ADME team, with direct accountability for talent development, performance management, succession planning, and organizational capability building.

•Build, mentor, and inspire a diverse team of scientists, fostering a culture of scientific excellence, accountability, collaboration, and continuous learning.

•Define and execute ADME strategies that enable informed compound selection and rapid progression of oncology programs.

•Drive innovation by evaluating and implementing state-of-the-art ADME technologies, assays, and modeling approaches.

•Serve as a senior scientific partner to project teams, representing ADME perspectives in key decision-making forums.

•Align ADME priorities with overall Oncology Research strategy, managing team resources, budgets, and investment decisions.

•Collaborate cross-functionally with discovery, translational, and development colleagues to translate scientific insights into actionable ADME and formulation strategies.

（変更の範囲）

会社内での全ての業務

【就業環境に関する要件 / Specific Physical or Environmental Requirements】

•This position is based in Japan and requires frequent overseas/domestic business travels.

•At Astellas we recognize the importance of work/life balance, and we are proud to offer a hybrid working solution allowing time to connect with colleagues at the office with the flexibility to also work from home. We believe this will optimize the most productive work environment for all employees to succeed and deliver. Hybrid work from certain locations may be permitted in accordance with Astellas’ Responsible Flexibility Guidelines.

【応募要件 / Qualifications】

＜必須 / Required＞

•Ph.D. or equivalent advanced degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Pharmacology, or a related discipline.

•15+ years of experience in the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry, with deep expertise in ADME, formulation, and/or drug delivery.

•Strong track record in ADME optimization across multiple therapeutic modalities, such as small molecules, peptides, ADCs, and engineered antibodies.

•Proven expertise in developing ADME screening strategies and establishing structure–activity relationships (SAR) to guide compound optimization.

•Ability to operate effectively in a global, highly collaborative research environment.

＜歓迎 / Preferred＞

•Strong external scientific network and reputation, demonstrated by patents, publications and presentations.

•Experience in oncology drug development and familiarity with the unique challenges of targeting cancer therapeutics.

•Demonstrated success leading and managing multidisciplinary scientific teams in a senior leadership role.