Position Summary
Amgen is seeking a seasoned business development leader to lead its external innovation efforts in China. Based in Shanghai, this Director-level role will serve as Amgen’s primary on-the-ground executive responsible for sourcing, evaluating, and advancing strategic partnerships with China’s biotech ecosystem. The focus will be on sourcing opportunities within China that can serve the global patient population. This individual will report into the Global Business Development organization, specifically reporting to an Executive Director, External Research and Development, Business Development. This role is critical to expanding Amgen’s access to first- and best-in-class science through licensing, M&A, and other partnership models. This individual will engage directly with local biotech companies, key academic institutions, venture investors, and government stakeholders to identify high-potential assets aligned with Amgen’s global BD priorities.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead Amgen China’s BD efforts, in alignment with Amgen’s BD priorities across four therapeutic areas and modalities of interest. These BD priorities are developed in collaboration with Amgen’s R&D and Commercial teams.
- Lead early-stage screening and identification of emerging opportunities that are sourced in China with the potential to expand overtime to other territories such as Korea and Australia
- Build relationships with emerging companies, innovation within China
- Identify a high-quality pipeline of innovation, with clear scientific differentiation, to serve the global patient population
- Work closely and in partnership with the External Research and Development leads within BD to advance specific opportunities through diligence and the governance process
- Contribute to building competitive landscape reports for companies in the region.
- Lead scientific, strategic, and commercial diligence of opportunities sourced from China
- Partner with internal venture fund to support potential venture investments in China
- Represent Amgen in the local ecosystem—engaging biotech founders, our peers, venture investors, incubators, and other key stakeholders
- Serve as Amgen’s local voice and strategic thinker on emerging trends in innovation, science, policy, and capital formation in China
Basic Qualifications
- Doctorate degree and 4 years of biopharma business development, licensing, strategy consulting, banking, or venture investing experience
Preferred Qualifications
- PhD in life sciences (e.g., molecular biology, immunology, oncology, pharmacology)
- 8–10 years of experience in biopharma business development, licensing, strategy consulting, banking, or venture investing
- Prior experience working within a multinational pharmaceutical or biotech company with global decision-making exposure
- Demonstrated leadership in originating and executing transactions with Chinese biotech companies or academic institutions
- Experience with opportunity identification, due diligence, and/or cross-functional assessments
- Deep understanding of the biotech innovation landscape in China with strong relationships locally, including biotech, VC, and academics; track record of facilitating cross-cultural business interactions
- Strong scientific and commercial acumen with experience communicating complex concepts to diverse audiences
- Self-starter, curious, strong communication and leadership skills. A track record to work within a global, matrixed organization; ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
- Fluent in Mandarin and English, with ability to operate effectively across global matrixed organizations
- Willingness to travel within China and occasionally to US
Why Amgen?
At Amgen, we believe the best science is global—and we are committed to identifying and advancing cutting-edge innovation from China’s rapidly growing biotech sector. This role offers a rare opportunity to drive impact at scale, connecting breakthrough Chinese science with Amgen’s global capabilities to serve patients around the world.
