Through cutting-edge science and medicine, Biogen passionately seeks to discover, develop and deliver innovative therapies for the treatment of neurological and neurodegenerative disease and autoimmune disorders, to patients world-wide.

This role is responsible for leading the medical APAC affiliate teams, ensuring partnership with the cross-functional team and establishing BIIB scientific leadership to address unmet medical needs for the Biogen portfolio in APAC.

Head of Medical, APAC, in line with global medical strategy, will be responsible for setting and executing the strategic direction for the medical function in APAC, having overall responsibility for the implementation of all medical activities. The Head of Medical will lead and develop a team of highly capable medical professionals and embed a culture of building and maintaining trusted and valued scientific/medical relationships with the external healthcare community and stakeholders.

The Head of Medical will be a member of APAC & China Leadership team.   

The Head of Medical APAC will also provide technical and educational support in medical communications, projects and initiatives to affiliate functions, in relation to the disease and therapeutic areas within the Biogen portfolio including pipeline/development products.

This role will be based in China affiliate office in Shanghai and will report full line to the GM, APAC and dotted line to the Head of Medical BIR.

The China Medical team will report directly to this role.  Affiliate medical heads in ANZ, South Korea, and Taiwan/HK will be dotted line report to this role.

Regional Medical Plans- Strategy and Execution

• Build the overarching medical strategy/Medical plans with the BIR Leadership Team to ensure alignment and execution of the assigned goals. Ensure the Medical Plans are consistent with the BIR & Global medical and cross functional strategy and priorities.
• Provide input into affiliate and global medical strategy based on regional insights and needs from the affiliates. Maximize the contribution of the Region to the Global Therapeutic Area Strategic & Execution Engines (SEEs) and ensure knowledge sharing and alignment
• Partner and collaborate with Global Therapeutic Area (TA) Leads, supporting implementation of global projects and ensure better understanding of current local and regional needs
• Partner with the cross functional leadership team to define, establish and execute a coherent strategic plan that addresses patient needs
• Identify synergies and adopt cross-affiliate good practices across BIR region countries.
• Work closely with the BIR Field Medical Strategy & Execution Lead to set and incorporate the BIR field medical strategy into the affiliate medical plans
• Partner and collaborate with regional market access to define, establish and execute a coherent strategic plan that addresses external stakeholders (payers, HCPs, agencies) needs
• Collaborate with Governmental and Cooperate Affairs team to develop and implement a communication strategy for the region
• Work closely with the partner’s medical teams in the countries to ensure execution of the TA strategy (when appropriate)
• Collaborate with the respective country GMs and BU heads to ensure the respective Brand strategic plans are aligned and support the Global strategy
• Serve as a medical lead for the expansion of BIIB in APAC
• Provide scientific guidance to the design of the regional regulatory strategies.
• Providing support to local BD activities
• Local medical strategy development to enhance diagnosis, treatment adoption and brand differentiation and to ensure the execution
• Assure digital technologies are explored and implemented to facilitate the goals and better serve our communities
• Assure the Medical Information services are implemented across the region according to Global guidance and requirements

Data Generation, Publications and Guideline shaping

• Strengthening collaboration with R&D organization, working closely to Global R&D colleagues and Clinical Affiliate Leads to leverage the regional research potential
• Develop and execute phase IV studies, registries and SRAs across therapeutic areas according to data gaps identified in the region. Find common themes and leverage synergies to maximize the research capabilities.
• Receive proposals, review, approve and implement approved IITs proposals according to research topics of interest at Biogen.
• Implement Compassionate Use Processes or Early Access Programs across the region according to Company Global guidance and Affiliates requirements
• Execute local and regional research with rigor, financially and ethically
• Alongside data generation to organize publications in line with therapeutic or brand strategy
• Proactively shaping treatment guidelines at local level by adapting global or other regional guidelines or new data

Governance & Compliance

• Materials Certification & Dispute Resolution: Serves as Certifier for APAC markets in accordance with local codes and Biogen SOPs; holds non‑delegable certification authority for scientific exchange where required. Leads dispute resolution and release decisions within VAULT InSCite.
• Withdrawal/Recall: Chairs medical decisioning for withdrawal/recall of released materials; ensures rapid notification of Compliance, Managing Directors, and relevant Regional/Global Functional Heads, and records actions.
• Interfaces: Establishes formal operating rhythms with PV/Medical Safety (QPPV), Regulatory, Quality, Legal, Data Privacy across materials review, PSPs, IITs/EAPs, and publications Provide guidance and oversee the affiliates to assure strategic alignment and operational excellence according to Biogen standards

Patient Support Programs (PSP)

• Provide input on PSP design according to the patient’s needs in affiliates. Accountable for approval and overseeing the execution of the PSP programs in the affiliates.
• Oversee the programs with high standards of ethical, compliance and scientific rigor.

Budget planning and execution

• Drive the strategic accounting annual exercise across the region to ensure medical investments and priorities address the HCP and patient needs within region.
• Assured actuals versus planned are followed at appropriate intervals. Plan accordingly to correct forecasts if needed

People development

• Build and develop a highly performing medical team which abides by the high standards of ethics and compliance
• Assured the medical team is highly scientific driven and up to date with the scientific advancements to educate HCP about Biogen products and pipeline
• Provide development plans to teams according to potential and capabilities
• Ensure oversight of the medical teams in the expansion of APAC

Requirements:

• Advanced scientific or clinical degree (PharmD or equivalent, PhD, MD) or biomedical degree
• Excellent communication/coordination/interpersonal skills
• Minimum 6+ years of relevant experience in the Pharma industry (Medical Affairs) or clinical/scientific setting, especially APAC market
• Track record of people management and cross-cultural management desired
• Knowledge & understanding of the neurology & immunology disease areas preferred
• Preferred understanding of drug development through clinical research
• Knowledge and understanding of local health care systems, market dynamics and regulations
• Experience in working within affiliate medical functions
• Demonstrated leadership skills