Position: Head of Preclinical R&DCompany Overview:My client is an exciting London-based biotech/startup specialising in innovative treatments for mood disorders. Their flagship compound, currently in Phase 1 clinical trials, is a men’s sexual health product being produced as an on-demand solution. It’s always great to see an established leadership team of both entrepreneurs and scientific seniority that bring a wealth of experience from both drug development and biotech incubation from a variety of backgrounds from top 10 pharma, to biotech’s, consultancies and start-ups.This is a great opportunity for an experienced and dynamic problem solving Swiss-army knife of a professional to join this dynamic team as their new Head of Preclinical Research and Discover. The end-game is always to make a difference to real people with real problems and this is a unique opportunity to shape the future of mood disorder treatments in a dynamic, cutting-edge biotech environment.Key Responsibilities:Spearhead preclinical research strategy for lead asset and pipeline programsOversee daily operations, team management, and budget allocation for preclinical activitiesGenerate high-quality pharmacology data to support product development in sexual dysfunctions and mood disordersCoordinate with CROs, partners, and academic institutions to execute research strategyManage preclinical regulatory submissions and agency interactions globallyCollaborate with clinical development teams on trial design and pharmacology expertiseWork with IP team to identify and secure patentable discoveriesEnsure compliance with SOPs, regulatory guidelines, and ICH requirementsMaintain GxP and health & safety standards in preclinical activitiesIdeal Candidate Profile:Advanced degree in Pharmacology or related field (PhD preferred)Extensive senior-level experience in pharmaceutical preclinical functionsDeep understanding of drug development regulations and guidelinesExpertise in CNS disease mechanisms and preclinical modelsProven track record in scientific writing for regulatory documents and publicationsExperience presenting at international scientific conferencesStrong skills in budget management, organization, and problem-solvingLeadership experience with a focus on team developmentExcellent communication skills (written and verbal)Proficiency in Microsoft Office, scientific software (e.g., GraphPad), and literature databasesDetailsHybrid workingLondon based officeCompetitive salary based on experienceSubstantial equity options availableThis role offers a unique opportunity to shape the future of mood disorder treatments in a dynamic, cutting-edge biotech environment. If you are an experienced, R&D professional with a passion for driving innovation in the biotech industry, I encourage you to apply for this exciting opportunity. Please call +44 1293 776644 for more information or reach out to James Measures directly on jmeasures@barringtonjames.com with the link to the job advert to discuss further.