About Zevra Therapeutics, Inc.
We are a rare disease therapeutics company leading with science to make life-changing therapeutics available to patients with significant unmet needs. We involve key thought leaders, physicians, patients, care partners, and advocacy groups in all of our clinical and regulatory development strategies.
With a keen understanding that drug development often requires creative solutions, we have the insight and expertise to forge new pathways to success that others have missed. By following the data without bias, our transparent narratives and common-sense perspective have successfully overcome complex development challenges to make much-needed therapies available to patients.
Nimble and dauntless, we push boundaries beyond what is thought to be possible and advance new therapies that have the potential to bring meaningful improvement to patients’ lives.
About The Role
The VP of Medical Affairs is responsible for building and leading the global medical affairs function at Zevra Therapeutics including oversight and management of external Medical Affairs vendors.
The VP of Medical Affairs defines the overall Medical Affairs strategy, builds a high performing team and develops, and refines medical plans, policies and procedures to lead the medical affairs organization.
The VP of Medical Affairs provides guidance, input and oversight on medical plan development and execution including
Field medical strategy, Medical/Scientific Communications and Education, Medical Information, Publication planning and Data Dissemination, Patient Advocacy, Health Economic Outcomes Research, Post-marketing and Real-World Evidence research, Medical Education Grants, KOL Relationship management. and investigator initiated and post marketing clinical research.
The VP of Medical Affairs works closely with clinical development, regulatory and commercial leadership to ensure integrated brand strategy and to support corporate strategy.
What You'll Do
- Build and lead the medical affairs and advocacy functions in alignment and support of execution of Zevra’s corporate objectives.
- Hire, develop and lead a team of medical affairs and patient advocacy professionals to lead strategic planning and execution in support of Zevra’s development stage assets and commercial portfolio
- Set out overall Medical Affairs strategy in alignment with corporate strategy and goals.
- Lead the global medical activities to ensure safe and appropriate use of Zevra’s products.
- Develop the KOL strategy and ensure that the strategy is executed appropriately to create lasting relationships based on scientific and clinical value.
- In conjunction with the Clinical Development Team, develop and manage Phase IV clinical trial programs to further the clinical and scientific understanding of approved Zevra products and the potential to benefit patients with severe rare disorders.
- Develop and execute a medical/scientific communications plan to support appropriate education on non-clinical, clinical, and health-economic data.
- Provide medical/scientific input to, and strategic oversight of, medical conference planning and conference publications, presentations and on-site company medical/scientific activities.
- Serve as the main medical partner for Sales and Marketing, helping with the development of Sales/Marketing materials and medical/commercial strategy.
- Review and approval of the medical/scientific content of promotional materials.
- Develop and lead the global Medical Affairs group’s role in internal knowledge sharing and education.
- Oversees the training of internal personnel on medical/scientific aspects of the business and Zevra’s products.
- Provide medical/scientific input into Business Development activities.
- Establishing, coordinating and chairing Advisory Boards
- Serve as the key representative to Patient Advocacy Organizations
Qualifications
- An MD with a minimum of 10-years of experience in Medical Affairs in the Pharma/Biotech industry. Experience working in a global organization is preferred, as is participation in a start-up or small company environment.
- Strong scientific & clinical background, and innate scientific curiosity
- Candidates should have the capability for strategic thinking and planning along with operational skills and tactical experience related to all medical affairs activities, clinical research, HEOR and marketing support activities
- Ability to combine medical experience and knowledge with commercial application. Able to straddle both the science and commercial needs, while adhering to internal and external industry regulations and compliance guidelines.
- Excellent interpersonal skills – confident, with the ability to gain respect, to influence, and to build lasting relationships with KOL’s and other key internal and external stakeholders.
- Ability to work in multidisciplinary and multicultural teams.
- Strong Communication Skills, both written and oral, with a history of frequent and regular internal and external medical/scientific presentations
- Ability to work cross-functionally amongst varied internal functions.
- Strong leader, who is inspirational and motivational, while also cultivating a team atmosphere
- Ability to hire and retain top-notch talent.
- Management experience and previous budgetary responsibility preferred
- Success Factors
- Strong personal leadership skills to drive performance and support corporate objectives
- Ability to work collaboratively and effectively with others.
- Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines.
- Strong analytical and communication skills.
- Well organized and detail oriented.
- Creativity and resilience in problem solving.
- Relentless hands-on drive to implement and accomplish performance goals.
- Effective management of partners to ensure project scope is achieved within defined budget.
- Ability to independently research, design, and implement solutions.
