Clinical Program Leader

Novartis Pharma Schweiz AG seeks a Senior Clinical Program Leader in Basel to drive strategic medical and scientific leadership for new oncology agents in preclinical development.

The company is looking for a senior professional to provide strategic medical and scientific direction for the development of new oncology treatments during the preclinical phase. This role involves creating clinical development strategies for new agents within specific project timelines, ensuring that early clinical data supports subsequent registration trials and overall therapeutic development plans.

Responsibilities

• Formulate independent strategies for therapeutic clinical oncology (TCO) and support early clinical development to facilitate future registration trials.
• Create the Integrated Development Plan Approval (IDPA) by coordinating with Disease Area Leads, Development, Strategy & Growth, and Commercial teams.
• Direct Biomedical Research Early Program Teams (BPTs) to initiate clinical development and manage ongoing trials required to support the Target Product Profile (TDP).
• Analyze preclinical data, including pharmacology, toxicology, and pharmacokinetics, to determine their implications for clinical development.
• Work with clinical scientists to design protocols for TCO compounds and develop tools for implementation, interpretation, and reporting.
• Oversee the safe, ethical, and efficient execution of trials, ensuring strict adherence to Good Clinical Practice (GCP) guidelines and internal Standard Operating Procedures.
• Engage with external experts, investigators, and regulatory authorities in oncology, representing the company’s projects to these groups.
• Draft and review abstracts and manuscripts for internal and external presentations and publications.
• Join task forces to drive continuous improvement and operational quality, maintaining responsibility for compliance and management objectives.

Requirements

• Hold an MD or DO degree.
• Possess at least five years of experience in pharmaceutical or biotech industry oncology clinical trials, plus an equivalent duration of experience from an academic medical center.
• Have a minimum of two years of industry experience in pharmaceutical or biotechnology organizations, including contributing to and driving early clinical oncology programs.
• Demonstrate experience in interpreting preclinical oncology data, covering molecular biology, pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, and toxicology.
• Be fluent in English, both orally and in writing.

Nice to have

• Board certification in an oncology specialty and a PhD-level science background are preferred.
• Prior experience in early-phase oncology at an academic medical center is highly desirable.
• Recognition as an expert in the field by external medical experts and regulatory authorities, supported by a substantial record of publications and international recognition.

What the company offers

• Competitive benefits including insurance plans, retirement plans, wellbeing resources, and global recognition programs.
• Flexible and hybrid working options, where possible.
• A minimum of 14 weeks of paid parental leave.

About the company

Novartis Pharma Schweiz AG is committed to reimagining medicine together and rewarding the people who make it happen. The company fosters a community of smart, passionate people collaborating, supporting, and inspiring each other to achieve breakthroughs that change patients’ lives.

• Committed to reimagining medicine together and rewarding the people who make it happen.
• A community of smart, passionate people collaborating, supporting and inspiring each other to achieve breakthroughs that change patients’ lives.