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Director of In Vivo Pharmacology

Philadelphia, PA

Legend Biotech is a global biotechnology company dedicated to treating, and one day curing, life-threatening diseases. Headquartered in Somerset, New Jersey, we are developing advanced cell therapies across a diverse array of technology platforms, including autologous and allogenic chimeric antigen receptor T-cell, T-cell receptor (TCR-T), and natural killer (NK) cell-based immunotherapy. From our three R&D sites around the world, we apply these innovative technologies to pursue the discovery of safe, efficacious and cutting-edge therapeutics for patients worldwide.

 

Legend Biotech entered into a global collaboration agreement with Janssen, one of the pharmaceutical companies of Johnson & Johnson, to jointly develop and commercialize ciltacabtagene autolecuel (cilta-cel). Our strategic partnership is designed to combine the strengths and expertise of both companies to advance the promise of an immunotherapy in the treatment of multiple myeloma.

 

Legend Biotech is seeking Director of In Vivo Pharmacology as part of the Research & Early Development team based in Philadelphia, PA. 

Role Overview

We are seeking an experienced and highly motivated Director of In Vivo Pharmacology to lead and expand our in vivo research capabilities in support of our cell and gene therapy pipeline. The successful candidate will be responsible for designing and overseeing preclinical pharmacology studies to evaluate the efficacy, safety, and mechanism of action of engineered cell or gene therapies in relevant in vivo models. This leadership role will be instrumental in guiding the transition of novel CAR-T candidates from discovery through IND-enabling studies and into early clinical development.

Key Responsibilities  

  • Lead the strategic direction and execution of in vivo pharmacology studies supporting cell or gene therapy development programs.
  • Design, develop, and validate in vivo models (e.g., xenograft, syngeneic, orthotopic) to evaluate CAR-T efficacy, persistence, trafficking, and toxicity.
  • Oversee in vivo study execution in-house and at CROs, ensuring scientific rigor, quality, and compliance with regulatory standards.
  • Work cross-functionally with discovery, translational biology, immunology, and clinical teams to integrate pharmacodynamic, biomarker, and mechanism-of-action data.
  • Interpret and present data to internal stakeholders, executive leadership, and external collaborators or partners.
  • Author key sections of regulatory documents (e.g., INDs, Investigator’s Brochures, study reports).
  • Manage and mentor a team of scientists and research associates.
  • Evaluate and implement emerging in vivo technologies and platforms to improve study throughput and translational relevance.
  • The candidate has authority and should have the ability to make decisions on preclinical in vivo pharmacology strategies

Requirements

  • PhD, DVM in Pharmacology, Immunology, or related field, with 8+ years of relevant industry experience.
  • Deep expertise in in vivo models of cancer and/or immunotherapy; experience with CAR-T, TCR, or other cell or gene therapies highly preferred.
  • Strong understanding of tumor immunology, immune cell trafficking, cytokine biology, and T cell kinetics.
  • Proven track record of leading IND-enabling pharmacology studies.
  • Hands-on experience with mouse handling, tumor implantation, IV/SC dosing, and tissue processing is preferred.
  • Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams and external CRO collaborations.
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills, with the ability to present complex data to both technical and non-technical audiences.
  • Strong leadership, mentoring, and project management skills.

#Li-JK1

#Li-Hybrid

The base pay range below is what Legend Biotech USA Inc. reasonably expects to offer at the time of posting. Actual compensation may vary based on experience, skills, qualifications, and geographic location. The company reserves the right to modify this range as needed and in accordance with applicable laws.

Other Types of Pay: Performance-based bonus and/or equity is available to employees in eligible roles.

Benefits and Paid Time Off: Medical, dental, and vision insurance as well as a 401(k) retirement plan with a company match that vests fully on day one. We offer eight (8) weeks of paid parental leave after just three (3) months of employment, and a paid time off policy that includes vacation time, personal time, sick time, floating holidays, and eleven (11) company holidays. Additional voluntary benefits include flexible spending and health savings accounts, life and AD&D insurance, short- and long-term disability coverage, legal assistance, and supplemental plans such as pet, critical illness, accident, and hospital indemnity insurance. We also provide voluntary commuter benefits, family planning and care resources, well-being initiatives, and peer-to-peer recognition programs; demonstrating our ongoing commitment to building a culture where our people feel empowered, supported, and inspired to do their best work.

Pay Range (Base Pay):

$187,989 - $246,735 USD

Please note: These benefits are offered exclusively to permanent full-time employees. Contractors are not eligible for benefits through Legend Biotech.

 

EEO Statement

It is the policy of Legend Biotech to provide equal employment opportunities without regard to actual or perceived race, color, creed, religion, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, sex or gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, related medical conditions and lactation), gender identity or gender expression (including transgender status), sexual orientation, marital status, military service and veteran status, disability, genetic information, or any other protected characteristic under applicable federal, state or local laws or ordinances.

 

Employment is at-will and may be terminated at any time with or without cause or notice by the employee or the company.

 
For information related to our privacy notice, please review: Legend Biotech Privacy Notice.

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I (the candidate) enter into this Non-Disclosure Agreement (the “Agreement”) with Legend Biotech USA Inc. (the “Company”), effective as of the date of my acknowledgement below, for the purpose of enabling the Company to evaluate a possible employment relationship with me.

  1. Access to Company Confidential Information. I acknowledge that for the sole and limited purpose of evaluating a possible employment relationship with me, the Company might disclose, or enable me to have access to, certain Confidential Information of the Company, as defined below.  I agree that, except for purposes of evaluating a possible employment relationship with the Company or as expressly authorized in writing by the Company, I will (a) not use or disclose any Confidential Information; (b) keep all Confidential Information confidential at all times; and (c) not copy, reproduce or modify any Confidential Information.
  2. Definition of “Confidential Information.” For purposes of this Agreement, “Confidential Information” shall mean any and all information and materials provided to me by the Company, including without limitation, inventions, trade secrets, software code, product development and marketing strategies, ideas, processes, formulas, know-how, unpublished financial information, business plans, contractual relationships with third parties and operating strategies; memoranda, notes, records, drawings, manuals, disks, or other documents and media; and all embodiments, copies, extracts, and summaries thereof; provided, however, that “Confidential Information” shall not include information that: (a) is generally known or available to the public, or (b) is furnished to me by a third party who obtained such information using lawful means and without any restrictions on disclosure.
  3. Third Party Information. I agree that during the course of communications with the Company pursuant to this Agreement or in connection with my application and interviews for employment with the Company, I will not make any unauthorized use or disclosure to the Company of any confidential or proprietary information or trade secrets of any other person or entity to whom I have an obligation of confidentiality with respect to such information, including any current or former employer.  I further agree not to provide to the Company any materials or documents of any third party that are not generally available to the public.
  4. Remedies for Breach. I acknowledge that in the event of any breach of this Agreement, the Company will not have an adequate remedy in money or damages, and therefore the Company shall be entitled to obtain temporary, preliminary and/or permanent injunctive relief to redress any such breach, from any court of competent jurisdiction, and that the Company’s right to obtain such relief shall not limit its right to obtain other available remedies.
  5. General. The interpretation and enforcement of this Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of California.  This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties concerning the subject matters hereof; it supersedes any and all prior agreements or representations, written or oral, with respect to its subject matters; and it cannot be modified except in a written agreement signed by the Company.

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