The Molecular Profiling and Drug Delivery (MPDD) function within the Small Molecule CMC organization is accountable for a broad range of deliverables across various stages of drug discovery and development. During lead optimization and through candidate selection, MPDD scientists utilize state-of-the-art automation and computational tools supported by expertise in biopharmaceutics, drug delivery, and solid-state chemistry to collaboratively progress candidates with higher probability of success into development and advise clinical formulation strategy. From candidate selection through clinical proof of concept and product launch, MPDD scientists work in cross functional teams to identify the commercial solid form of the active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) and establish structure-property-performance correlations to help deliver robust commercial processes and align control strategies across drug substance and product. They also transition drug substance isolation processes and relevant physical characterization methods to commercial manufacturing sites and work within teams to ensure successful regulatory submissions.

Biopharmaceutics and Drug Delivery scientists within AbbVie's MPDD organization work collaboratively with other functions within Development Sciences and Discovery to conduct developability assessment to select molecules with higher probability of success for clinical development and eventual commercialization. This includes profiling of physicochemical properties, development of preclinical formulations, identifying solutions to in vivo absorption challenges, and advancement of novel drug delivery strategies across multiple routes of administration that are aligned with program target product profiles and downstream partners.  Modalities of interest include traditional small molecules as well as complex chemically synthesized modalities such as protein degraders and peptides.  In this role, you will work in cross-functional teams in matrixed environments and engage in multidisciplinary problem solving.

Job Description

The Associate Director of Biopharmaceutics leads a team of scientists to develop and implement in vitro dissolution tools, in silico modeling, and high-throughput screening assays to support AbbVie’s diverse pipeline. The Associate Director fosters cross-functional collaboration with Discovery, DMPK, Clinical Pharmacology, and Regulatory teams to ensure biopharmaceutics strategies are aligned with program goals and development milestones. They provide scientific leadership in the interpretation of biopharmaceutics data, guiding formulation decisions, enabling compound progression, and supporting risk assessment throughout development. The role also mentors and develops team members while promoting scientific innovation, operational excellence, and high-quality delivery of enabling data to advance AbbVie’s pipeline. This position plays a critical role in translating biopharmaceutics insights into actionable development strategies that strengthen decision-making to accelerate the advancement of innovative medicines.

Key Responsibilities

• Develops and achieves disciplined strategy in alignment with functional goals and key scientific objectives within Biopharmaceutics and Drug Delivery, including application to multiple therapeutic modalities- including small molecules, peptides, and genetic medicines—at both Discovery and Development stages.
• Leads the application and strategic advancement of PBPK modeling, developing and deploying new in silico tools to strengthen developability assessment, inform decision-making, and support pipeline progression across Discovery and Development stages.
• Demonstrates a strong track record of innovation, introducing new or enhanced capabilities in biopharmaceutics, molecular profiling, and drug delivery through novel research and application of in silico modeling.  Leveraging cross-functional synergies to enable holistic developability characterization in support of pipeline impact.
• Expands scientific influence beyond core discipline by proactively advising and sharing expertise with colleagues and senior management, while identifying and integrating emerging trends into short-term goals to shape cross-disciplinary technology direction.
• Provides expert guidance and review to external scientific collaborations to support advancement of preclinical and early clinical stage assets across AbbVie’s core therapeutic growth areas.
• Leads and collaborates with cross-functional experts including automation scientists, biopharmaceutics scientists, and drug delivery experts to integrate scientific objectives into activities associated with the advancement of Discovery and Development stage pipeline and platforms.
• Ensures quality and effectiveness of key results of major project plans through robust study designs, early risk assessments, and implementation of innovative fallback strategies. Mentors and trains functional colleagues and assesses emerging technological and business challenges relevant to modality-specific drug delivery and automation.
• Presents complex scientific concepts and results spanning biopharmaceutics, automation, and multi-modal drug delivery to scientific and non-scientific leaders, maximizing impact and value of expertise.
• Interacts well with diverse groups across, discovery, ADME, safety, CMC, and clinical teams, maintaining strong working relationships with internal and external collaborators. Maintains an internal reputation as a cross-modality expert in Biopharmaceutics, Automation, and Drug Delivery.