Associate Director, Nonclinical Safety

Role Summary

Associate Director, Nonclinical Safety. Responsible for the creation and execution of the nonclinical safety strategy for therapeutic programs (research and clinical stage), ensuring therapeutics are safe and studies are conducted in a timely manner, within budget and scope. This role sits within both the research and development teams and is an active member of the Research Strategy & Operations team. Hybrid position with on-site work at a Sarepta facility in the United States and occasional in-person events.

Responsibilities

• Sets the toxicology strategy for all programs
• Designs and manages nonclinical safety studies (GLP and non-GLP) suitable for IND/CTA/NDA/BLA submission
• Manages external contract research organizations (CROs) to support nonclinical development program studies
• Interacts with internal functional areas to ensure studies are performed in a quality, timely, and scientifically appropriate manner
• Generates and/or reviews nonclinical sections for IND/CTA/BLA submission
• Works with external collaborators on a range of disease models
• Participates in discussions with regulatory agencies to obtain feedback on nonclinical development programs
• Ensures compliance with regulatory guidelines
• Develops and oversees nonclinical safety and toxicology drug development plans with estimated costs, timing, and risk assessment/management
• Critically reviews and edits toxicology study protocols and reports, analyzes and interprets data, and coordinates report finalization for both contracted and internal studies
• Prepares and edits nonclinical documents for regulatory submissions (e.g. IND/NDA/BLA, IBs, and other regulatory briefing documents)
• Maintains current understanding of toxicology literature and regulatory requirements
• Quarterly travel may be required

Qualifications

• Ph.D., M.D., or equivalent, preferably in Toxicology/Pharmacology or Veterinary Medicine
• 5–7+ years in nonclinical development with emphasis on toxicology; experience with design, conduct, and interpretation of toxicity studies; experience in IND/CTA/NDA/BLA applications
• Experience in a research field related to Nonclinical Development, Toxicology, and Nonclinical Pharmacology
• Familiarity with GLP requirements and ICH guidelines; experience managing external academic collaborations and CROs
• Proficient in scientific documentation supporting regulatory submissions
• Experience in design, conduct, analysis, and interpretation of nonclinical studies
• Training in Animal Use Protocols as PI or sponsor
• Strong scientific/clinical background demonstrated through publications in medical journals
• Excellent verbal and written skills for internal collaboration and engagement with regulatory bodies

Education

• Ph.D., M.D., or equivalent in Toxicology/Pharmacology or Veterinary Medicine (preferred)

Skills

• Nonclinical toxicology strategy and study design
• Regulatory submissions and scientific documentation
• Project and vendor management (CROs)
• Data analysis and interpretation of toxicology results
• Cross-functional collaboration and regulatory engagement

Additional Requirements

• Quarterly travel may be required