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R&D - Intrepide China - Distinguished Scientist, Head of Chemistry - Suzhou

Shanghai, China
Nanjing, China
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At a glance

Bring your curiosity to a team where deep immunoscience meets cutting-edge innovation. Across oncology, rare diseases, neurology, and vaccines, you’ll work at the intersection of lab science and AI-powered discovery — all while collaborating across boundaries to turn breakthrough ideas into real-world impact. Whether you want to deepen your scientific expertise or grow as a leader, you’ll find the opportunity here.

2. About the job

The Sanofi Intrépide China initiative is designed to allow Global Research to gain deep insights into the local ecosystem and ensure scientific rigor in evaluating external opportunities that are critical to our Research pipeline ambitions. It will focus on three strategic areas:

(1) supporting Global Research through collaboration with global Therapeutic Area teams and Business

Development to identify and pursue in-licensing opportunities;

(2) conducting preliminary evaluations and Material Transfer Agreement (MTA) validations to accelerate

global pipeline expansion;

(3) leveraging China's Contract Research Organizations (CROs) and biotech innovation platforms to

address capacity and capability gaps in global Discovery programs.

We are seeking a dynamic, forward-thinking, and experienced medicinal chemistry leader to execute Sanofi Intrépide mission in alignment with our global research strategy. The ideal candidate will formulate Intrépide China small molecule research strategy and identify and leverage opportunities in China ecosystem to drive collaboration in synergy with IDD. The person will oversee research projects with scientific rigor, goal-oriented and sense of urgency and engage Sanofi internal key stakeholders to advance the projects to preclinical stage. This role offers the opportunity to make concrete contributions to Sanofi's global Research pipeline, driving forward our mission to discover breakthrough therapies for patients worldwide.

Main responsibilities include:

  • Contribute to the formulation of Intrepide China’s small molecule strategy and responsible for the implementation of the strategy
  • In close collaboration with IDD, identify and assess biotech/CRO partners with leading technology platforms that complementary to Sanofi internal capabilities in the areas where China ecosystems can be leveraged e.g. ADC, PROTAC, oral peptide, siRNA ect.
  • Form strategic partnership with Biotech start-ups to initiate projects in alignment with Global R&D pipeline strategy and Research TA priorities and drive the project to preclinical milestones  
  • Work with internal and external cross-functional team members to advance projects, ensure high quality projects delivery within defined timeline and budget.
  • Proactively conduct in-depth evaluations of cutting-edge technologies and novel modalities related to small molecules. Provide scientific and technological insights regarding innovation trends and potential growth opportunities in China to IDD
  • Be responsible for and accountable for the protection and management of intellectual property risk arising from interfaces with external partners
  • Serve as a key point of contact between Intrepide China and IDD to align on key objectives, delivery goals and potential opportunities arise in China

3. About you

  • Serve as a key point of contact between Intrepide China and IDD to align on key objectives, delivery goals and potential opportunities arise in China

2.     10-15 years industry experience in small molecule drug discovery, in-depth knowledge of cutting -edge medicinal chemistry drug design by applying structure guided, computer aided workflow.

  • Project leadership experience with track records of successfully deliver multiple projects to preclinical milestones is required, previous experience in research collaboration and partnership are preferred.  
  • Strong verbal and written communication skills and stakeholder engagement abilities, excellent scientific presentation skills in both Chinese and English
  • Ability to identify promising research opportunities and technologies
  • Knowledge in different novel modalities e.g. ADC, PROTAC, oral peptide, siRNA etc. is a plus

  • Knowledge in different novel modalities e.g. ADC, PROTAC, oral peptide, siRNA etc. is a plus

4. Pursue progress, discover extraordinary

Better is out there. Better medications, better outcomes, better science. But progress doesn’t happen without people – people from different backgrounds, in different locations, doing different roles, all united by one thing: a desire to make miracles happen. So, let’s be those people.

At Sanofi, we provide equal opportunities to all regardless of race, colour, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, ability, gender identity or Veteran status.

Watch ourALL IN videoand check out our Diversity Equity and Inclusion actions atsanofi.com

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Pursue Progress. Discover Extraordinary.

Join Sanofi and step into a new era of science - where your growth can be just as transformative as the work we do. We invest in you to reach further, think faster, and do what’s never-been-done-before. You’ll help push boundaries, challenge convention, and build smarter solutions that reach the communities we serve. Ready to chase the miracles of science and improve people’s lives? Let’s Pursue Progress and Discover Extraordinary – together.

At Sanofi, we provide equal opportunities to all regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by law.

Watch 'One day at Sanofi' and check out our Diversity Equity and Inclusion initiatives at sanofi.com

Apply now
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  • Expand your horizons. Grow through curiosity, with support to move, learn, and lead in a culture that champions mentorship, mobility, and bold development.

  • Accelerate results with technology. Harness the power of AI and automation to push scientific boundaries and reimagine what's possible in drug discovery.

  • Impact through inclusive innovation. Help deliver better science and fairer outcomes by driving inclusive research that reaches more people, in more meaningful ways.

  • Turn patient needs into breakthrough science. Drive scientific breakthroughs that start with patient needs – and end in treatments that change lives.

Meet Nils Libert, Associate Scientist

Meet Nils Libert, an Associate Scientist in Belgium, where he plays a key role in advancing groundbreaking research. Learn how his work helps drive innovation, uncover new scientific possibilities, and contribute to life-changing treatments that impact patients around the world.

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