VP OA Asset Leader

Job Title:VP OA Asset Leader

Job Location:London, UK

Job Location Type:Hybrid

Job Contract Type:Full-time

Job Seniority Level:Executive

London

Relation is an end-to-end biotech developing transformational medicines, with technology at our core. Our ambition is to understand human biology in unprecedented ways, discovering therapies to treat some of life’s most devastating diseases. We leverage single-cell multi-omics directly from patient tissue, functional assays, and machine learning to drive disease understanding, from cause to cure.

This year, we’ve embarked on an exciting double collaboration with GSK to tackle fibrosis and osteoarthritis, alongside advancing our own internal osteoporosis programme. By combining our cutting-edge ML capabilities with their deep expertise in drug discovery, this partnership underscores our commitment to pioneering science and delivering impactful therapies to patients.

We are rapidly scaling our technology and discovery teams, offering a unique opportunity to join one of the most innovative TechBio companies. Be part of our dynamic, interdisciplinary teams, collaborating closely to redefine the boundaries of possibility in drug discovery. Our state-of-the-art wet and dry laboratories, located in the heart of London, provide an exceptional environment to foster interdisciplinarity and turn groundbreaking ideas into positive impact for patients.

Relation is committed to building diverse and inclusive teams. We are an equal opportunities employer and do not discriminate on the grounds of gender, sexual orientation, marital or civil partner status, gender reassignment, race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, disability, or age.

As the Vice President of OA and our Early Development Portfolio, you will play a key leadership role in shaping and driving Relation’s preclinical and early-stage clinical programmes. Working across a multidisciplinary matrix team, you will lead efforts to deliver on key partnership milestones in osteoarthritis and expand Relation’s indication portfolio into fibrosis and other high-impact areas, such as metabolic indications.

This role requires a seasoned translational scientist with deep expertise in early drug discovery and development, particularly in immunology, fibrosis, or related fields. You will take discoveries from target discovery and candidate selection through to IND-enabling studies, ensuring programmes are poised for successful clinical translation.

• Lead the multidisciplinary team to deliver on the osteoarthritis programme, achieving key strategic objectives and milestones.
• Drive the development and expansion of Relation’s second indication into a robust portfolio of assets in fibrosis and associated areas.
• Provide translational expertise to support early findings and drive them towards clinical development, particularly in preclinical IND package preparation.
• Collaborate closely with wet-lab and computational teams, integrating multi-omics, machine learning, and functional biology into cohesive drug discovery efforts.
• Contribute clinical input across Relation’s projects and participate in due diligence for external opportunities.
• Help enhance leadership quality and decision-making as part of the Discovery Leadership Team.

• A PhD or advanced degree in a relevant scientific discipline with at least 10 years of multidisciplinary experience in biotech, pharma, or academia.
• Deep expertise in immunology, fibrosis, metabolic or related fields, with strong translational science credentials.
• Proven experience in leading early drug development, including IND-enabling studies and preclinical package development.
• A track record of delivering impactful programmes, including matrix leadership across cross-functional teams.
• Strong knowledge of the regulatory landscape for early-stage drug development, with experience preparing for regulatory interactions.

• Familiarity with large-scale multi-omics or machine learning applications in drug discovery.
• Experience in areas such as metabolic or bone diseases.
• Background working in fast-paced startup environments or cutting-edge biotech settings.

• A collaborative leader and team player.
• A clear communicator who inspires confidence and drives impact.
• Curious, motivated, and passionate about making a difference in patients’ lives.
• Humble and eager to learn in a fast-paced and innovative environment.

In this exciting role, your contributions will directly impact the discovery and development of transformative medicines, supporting Relation’s mission to deliver groundbreaking therapies to patients. Together, we’re not just advancing science; we’re setting new standards in drug discovery.

Relation is a committed equal opportunities employer.

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