Location

Greater Boston area

Role Description

Acumen Pharmaceuticals is seeking a Vice President, Clinical Development to join our Medical Team. Reporting to the Chief Medical Officer, this position will play a pivotal role in leading our clinical development efforts, shaping the strategic direction of our therapeutic programs, and contributing to the advancement of novel treatments. In addition, this role will lead our team of physicians and clinical research scientists and provide mentorship and guidance to foster a culture of excellence.

Responsibilities

• Develops and implements a strategic global medical and clinical development plan for clinical program, in collaboration with the Executive Leadership Team and other internal teams/functions such as Clinical Operations, Medical Affairs, Regulatory, Bioanalytical, and Marketing, ensuring alignment with the company’s goals and objectives.
• Drives the design of clinical trials, including the selection of appropriate endpoints, patient populations, and biomarkers. Ensures trials are conducted ethically, efficiently, and in compliance with regulatory standards.
• Provides medical oversight for ongoing clinical trials, including safety monitoring in collaboration with Pharmacovigilance and data review. Collaborates with clinical operations and safety teams to address clinical issues promptly.
• Works closely with the Regulatory team to prepare and submit regulatory filings, including Investigational New Drug (IND) applications, New Drug Applications (NDAs), and Biologic Licensing Applications (BLAs).
• Collaborates with cross-functional teams to analyze clinical trial data, interpret results, and make data-driven decisions to advance program development.
• Provides input to life-cycle strategy, planning and execution with cross-functional stakeholders, including business development.
• Contributes to the development of scientific publications, presentations, and communication materials to disseminate clinical trial findings to the scientific community and stakeholders.
• Reviews external-facing materials for scientific and medical accuracy, including promotional materials.
• Provides appropriate medical input for Medical Affairs activities and other related company activities.
• Collaborates with Medical Affairs to support the development of KOL engagement plans and build/maintain relationships with key opinion leaders, academic institutions, and research organizations.
• Mentors and develops direct reports, fostering professional growth and talent retention.
• Collaborates closely with cross-functional teams, including clinical operations, preclinical research, and manufacturing.
• Participates in and/or facilitates the presentation of data and associated discussion at key events and other outreach activities, particularly the planning and participation in congresses.
• Stays abreast of scientific literature and emerging trends in Alzheimer's Disease and Neurodegeneration research to guide the company's scientific direction.

Knowledge & Skills

• Excellent communication and leadership skills, with the ability to work effectively in cross-functional teams.
• Demonstrated ability to manage and mentor a team of medical professionals.
• Ability to think critically, solve complex problems, and make informed decisions based on clinical data.
• Strong strategic and leadership presence.
• Ability to work effectively with other clinical and scientific leaders.
• Demonstrated leadership and management skills with the ability to influence and work effectively across functions/departments.

Requirements

• MD or MD/PhD with relevant training and experience in Neurodegeneration (Alzheimer’s Disease preferred).
• Minimum of 10+ years industry experience in clinical development, preferably within the biopharmaceutical industry and with focus on neurodegenerative diseases.
• Proven track record of successfully leading clinical development programs from early-phase trials to regulatory submission.

• Senior managerial experience with track record of leading and inspiring teams.

• Strong understanding of FDA and global regulatory requirements related to Alzheimer's Disease and Neurodegeneration therapeutics.

Compensation and Benefits

Competitive base salary, eligibility for an annual incentive bonus and eligibility to participate in company stock option plan. Competitive benefits package including health, dental, vision, life insurance, 401K and paid time off.

About Acumen Pharmaceuticals

Acumen, headquartered in Newton, MA, with offices in Indianapolis, IN and Charlottesville, VA, is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing a novel therapeutic that targets toxic soluble amyloid beta oligomers (AβOs) for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Acumen’s scientific founders pioneered research on AβOs, which a growing body of evidence indicates are early and persistent triggers of Alzheimer’s disease pathology. Acumen is currently focused on advancing its investigational product candidate, sabirnetug (ACU193), a humanized monoclonal antibody that selectively targets toxic soluble AβOs. Acumen is currently conducting the ALTITUDE-AD study, a Phase 2, multi-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial currently enrolling at sites in the United States and Canada, with plans for additional study centers in Europe and the UK, following positive results in INTERCEPT-AD, a Phase 1 clinical trial involving early Alzheimer’s disease patients.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Acumen Pharmaceuticals provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religious creed, sex, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, pregnancy, childbirth, (or related medical conditions, including, but not limited to lactation), physical disability, mental and/or intellectual disability, age, military status or status as a Vietnam-era or special disabled veteran, marital status, registered domestic partner or civil union status, gender (including sex stereotyping and gender identity or expression), medical condition (including, but not limited to, cancer related or HIV/AIDS related), genetic information, sexual orientation or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state and local law.

Accommodation Of Disabilities

Acumen Pharmaceuticals is committed to providing reasonable accommodation for qualified applicants and employees with a disability (including veterans with a disability), unless such accommodation would cause an undue hardship.