About the job
About the Role
Tarsus Pharmaceuticals is in search of a Vice President of Innovation to lead the charge in pioneering the next generation of eye care solutions, taking them from initial concept through to clinical implementation. This visionary leader will act as a strategic partner and mentor to the existing talented leadership within the Innovation Lab, identifying and nurturing high-potential therapeutic opportunities while advancing one or more innovation programs to clinical readiness each year, thereby shaping Tarsus' future portfolio.
Ideal candidates will possess a robust scientific background paired with a demonstrable history of rapid innovation, deep business acumen, and an entrepreneurial spirit that drives new ventures from ideation to clinical proof-of-concept. This role requires close collaboration with senior leaders across the Innovation Lab and various functions to convert early-stage concepts into clinically and commercially viable programs within a dynamic and expanding organization, leveraging Tarsus' extensive expertise in commercial ventures, clinical trials, R&D, business development, and intellectual property.
Key Responsibilities:
- Develop and refine the strategic direction and growth of the Innovation Lab to align with Tarsus’ long-term objectives through innovative category creation.
- Oversee the Innovation Lab team in managing a robust pipeline of current innovation candidates, while identifying opportunities for prioritization and acceleration.
- Evaluate ambitious, science-driven opportunities based on promising biological mechanisms, including potential analogues beyond eye care, to redefine care standards in eye health and adjacent fields.
- Assess and provide feedback on actionable business plans for early-stage assets to ensure they meet market needs and scientific viability, resulting in programs ready for clinical trials.
- Conduct thorough evaluations of unmet needs and innovation gaps through engagement with physicians, insights from patients, biological assessments, and commercial analysis.
- Navigate the complexities of clinical, regulatory, and reimbursement landscapes to establish accelerated, innovative, and feasible pathways to proof-of-concept, including repurposing strategies and the development of translational disease models.
- Incorporate a strong business perspective into early development stages, balancing technical feasibility with commercial viability.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams including R&D, Business Development, and others to drive innovation forward.
