• Job Description

  Req#: R42177

  Today, Lonza is a global leader in life sciences operating across three continents. While we work in science, there’s no magic formula to how we do it. Our greatest scientific solution is talented people working together, devising ideas that help businesses to help people. In exchange, we let our people own their careers. Their ideas, big and small, genuinely improve the world. And that’s the kind of work we want to be part of.

  Innovation is about turning zero to one. Innovation is about disruption & transformation, innovation is bringing new ideas to life. Lonza is proud to have an arm to actively scout, evaluate and secure deals to bring technologies outside the organization to leverage the power of partnership and sustain an organic growth.

  External Innovation is part of Biologics Corporate Research & Development, the largest division within Lonza. External Innovation is a key enabler of the transformation of Bio R&D in Lonza. The mission of External Innovation is to sustain Lonza’s innovative and competitive edge in all biologics modalities by accessing enabling and disruptive technologies externally.

  We are looking for an Innovation Associate who shares our passion in this field to join the team. This role can be based in either of our UK sites (Slough & Cambridge), Boston, US or our Head Office in Basel, Switzerland.

  You will communicate with various Lonza stakeholders and leverage external networks to search, identify and evaluate opportunities and implement mechanisms to access these technologies.

  Given the nature of the role that spans Science and Finance the successful candidate will demonstrate exceptional communication and negotiation skills and possess a passion for making a meaningful difference in the world we live in. Track record of working in a venture capital firm (biotech, MedTech), venture building, strategy consulting or technology transfer is key in this role. Responsibilities include mid- and long-term Bio R&D external activities, end-to-end process of External Innovation (technology scouting, performing due diligence, negotiation of deals and closing and documentation & reporting). The role requires alignment with internal stakeholders including licensing, IP and Business Units to adopt emerging technology standards and business models. The incumbent must have a relevant technology background, with business and financial acumen. External Innovation currently focuses on next generation technologies in Biologics Expression Systems, Mammalian and Microbial Biomanufacturing, mRNA and Cell & Gene Therapies. Additional areas include Bioinformatics, High throughput analytics and automation technologies, and emerging Non-Viral delivery methods. This role will focus on mRNA, Microbial & CGT technologies.

  Key responsibilities:

  • Develop Investment strategy for Lonza’s Biologics with a focus on adjacent growth
  • Drive end-to-end process of deal screening, performing technical & financial due diligence, negotiate commercial terms and present deals at innovation board meetings.
  • Work with internal stakeholders in various centers of excellence (expression systems, mRNA, Bioconjugates, cell & gene, etc) and other platforms to drive innovations within Lonza
  • Perform landscape on market, competition and technology trends and prioritize on which opportunities will bring Lonza to new markets and/or sustain a strategic growth within existing markets
  • Work efficiently with CRM & Agile Project management tools to run an efficient deal making process
  • Work internally with IP, Licensing & Legal departments and align with Business unit to fully accomplish the goals
  • Deal screening, Due Diligence, Negotiation, Deal Closure and Documentation is part of your day-to-day work
  • Represent Lonza at suitable external conferences and events, be a Lonza ambassador to the external scientific and biotech communities.
  • Proactively support the continuous development of IP portfolio
  • Bring Innovations into life, make Lonza External Innovation team a true success within the organization

  Key requirements:

  • PhD. In a relevant scientific discipline (Bioinformatics/ Molecular Biology/Biochemistry)
  • Several years of work experience in venture capital (healthcare), venture building, accelerator or technology transfer in academia
  • Experience in Strategy consulting in top tier consulting firms Mc Kinsey, BCG, LEK blended with Finance is of great advantage
  • Capable of developing investment strategy documents and well aware of tech trends in CDMO and Pharma and future technologies
  • Able to develop decision making documents considering scientific rational, business rational and financial impact to the innovation board on a regular basis
  • Strong team player, can-do attitude, open to feedback
  • Track record of venture investment or venture building in a VC or Venture Building firm
  • Strong network in Academia, Tech Transfer offices in UK, USA and Europe
  • Strong network in VC community in UK, Europe and USA
  • Excellent presentation skills
  • Ability to make decisions, influence and negotiate multidisciplinary projects

  Every day, Lonza’s products and services have a positive impact on millions of people. For us, this is not only a great privilege, but also a great responsibility. How we achieve our business results is just as important as the achievements themselves. At Lonza, we respect and protect our people and our environment. Any success we achieve is no success at all if not achieved ethically.

  People come to Lonza for the challenge and creativity of solving complex problems and developing new ideas in life sciences. In return, we offer the satisfaction that comes with improving lives all around the world. The satisfaction that comes with making a meaningful difference.

  #LI-SR1

• About the company

  Lonza Group is a Swiss multinational chemicals and biotechnology company, headquartered in Basel, with major facilities in Europe, North America and South Asia.

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