External Innovation Partner Oncology Research Intelligence Targeted Protein Degradation & Induced Proximity

About Astellas

Astellas is a global life sciences company committed to turning innovative science into VALUE for patients. We provide transformative therapies in disease areas that include oncology, ophthalmology, urology, immunology and women's health. Through our research and development programs, we are pioneering new healthcare solutions for diseases with high unmet medical need. Learn more at Astellas.com.

Are you driven to make a real difference in the lives of patients?

We're seeking passionate individuals who thrive in dynamic environments, embrace new ideas, and aren't afraid to take intelligent risks. People who act with unwavering integrity and are deeply committed to making a tangible impact.

Purpose and Scope:

The External Innovation Partner, Oncology Research - Targeted Protein Degradation & Induced Proximity is a scientific leadership role that serves as an External Catalyst, connecting Astellas Oncology Research with leading external innovation ecosystems in targeted protein degradation, induced proximity, and degrader-conjugate science.

Reporting to the Head of CI & RPM, this role proactively identifies, evaluates, and shapes external opportunities across PROTACs, molecular glues, monovalent/direct degraders, degrader platforms, E3/UPS biology including CRBN, VHL, and novel E3 ligases, target engagement, proteomics/chemoproteomics, structural and computational degrader design, Degrader Antibody Conjugates (DACs), next-generation induced-proximity technologies such as RIPTAC and TCIP, and other oncology-relevant targeted-delivery or induced-proximity modalities.

The role translates external scientific signals into research hypotheses, differentiation logic, critical-assumption questions, and scientific assessments that guide research strategy and support BD-led partnership discussions in close collaboration with internal research leaders.

Responsibilities and Accountabilities:

External Ecosystem Engagement & Catalytic Scouting:

• Build trusted access to academic investigators, KOLs/KEEs, biotech founders, incubators, investors, CROs, tech-transfer offices, venture creation groups, and scientific consortia focused on TPD, induced proximity, oncology chemical biology, proteomics, and degrader-conjugate science.
• Prioritize engagement with leading innovation ecosystems and global centers of excellence in degrader science, induced proximity, oncology research, chemical proteomics, and DAC/degrader-conjugate technologies.
• Represent Astellas Oncology Research at major scientific conferences, innovation forums, targeted partnering events, and academic meetings to uncover early-stage opportunities before they become broadly visible.
• Actively track scientific and company activity across PROTACs, molecular glues, monovalent/direct degraders, novel E3 ligase recruiters, CRBN/VHL biology, target engagement, proteomics/chemoproteomics, next-generation induced-proximity technologies such as RIPTAC and TCIP, and DACs.
• Maintain dynamic hub heatmaps, KEE maps, company/platform landscapes, and opportunity pipelines that enable rapid triage and high-quality internal decision-making.

Scientific Opportunity Identification & Strategic Insight:

• Identify high-impact external science, platform technologies, targets, mechanisms, and translational capabilities with potential relevance to Astellas oncology research priorities and future portfolio options.
• Assess TPD and induced-proximity opportunities based on target biology, degradability, modality fit, E3/UPS strategy, mechanism of action, target engagement, proteomic selectivity, cellular pharmacology, DMPK/PK-PD, differentiation, competitive positioning, and development risk.
• Evaluate platform-partnership opportunities for scientific maturity, scalability, target-ligase knowledge, assay/model access, reproducibility, IP/FTO considerations, and potential to unlock difficult-to-drug or previously inaccessible oncology targets.
• For DAC or degrader-conjugate opportunities, assess tumor antigen selection, internalization/trafficking biology, targeting vehicle properties, linker-payload strategy, degrader payload mechanism, degradation readouts, tumor selectivity, safety liabilities, and fit with Astellas capabilities.
• Translate early-stage innovation signals into strategic insights that support research prioritization, portfolio planning, and exploratory evaluation of external opportunities.

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Knowledge Integration:

• Collaborate closely with Research Strategy Leads, Modality Intelligence Leads, Innovation Intelligence Analysts, and other subject-matter experts to ensure insights are shared and acted upon.
• Support BD-led opportunity evaluation in collaboration with Business Development and relevant embedded partners by providing scientific framing, diligence questions, data-package interpretation, and strategic context. Business Development retains accountability for partnership strategy, business discussions, negotiation, valuation, and commercial terms.
• Contribute to the development of intelligence infrastructure and best practices for horizon scanning, opportunity mapping, and external engagement across CI & RPM