Biotech Business Development

Hey Guys,

I am a neuroscience PhD from a computational neuroscience, meaning that I have modeling and programming expertise (just not of financial data). I have 1.5 years of experience as an in-house consultant at a big 5 pharma company.

I would like to move into business development and help make acquisition and pipeline advancement decisions. [thinking that I could bring both technical expertise and quickly learn the modeling aspect of the job with my background]

My concern is that I don't have any finance experience and I was wondering if you could give me some advice as to how to break into this field?

Thanks in advance.

5 Comments
 
"NeuroMonkey" Hey Guys,

I am a neuroscience PhD from a computational neuroscience, meaning that I have modeling and programming expertise (just not of financial data). I have 1.5 years of experience as an in-house consultant at a big 5 pharma company.

I would like to move into business development and help make acquisition and pipeline advancement decisions. [thinking that I could bring both technical expertise and quickly learn the modeling aspect of the job with my background]

My concern is that I don't have any finance experience and I was wondering if you could give me some advice as to how to break into this field?

Thanks in advance.

Try places like Renaissance Tech.

"If you always put limits on everything you do, physical or anything else, it will spread into your work and into your life. There are no limits. There are only plateaus, and you must not stay there, you must go beyond them." - Bruce Lee
 
Best Response

I think two options are possible here: external development or back to school

External Development: If your company sees value in you, perhaps they'll keep your place and let you take 1-2 years to do a stint at a life science consulting firm (e.g Candesic or Life Science Dynamics - two strong boutiques in this field) or a life science bank (e.g Leerink or Cain Brothers). Your computer modelling skills may help get the financial modelling skills you need and you can learn the finance concepts along the way

Back to School: Do a masters in finance or MBA. Seeing as you have quite a bit of experience perhaps the MBA route is better. This will help with some skills and give you some more credibility in front of senior staff and help you get a seat at the big boy table where acquisition decisions are made

 

Aut ut maiores nesciunt alias nam eum a est. Veniam quas quam ducimus et repudiandae magni voluptatem. Quis omnis ea facilis placeat et maiores ex temporibus.

Qui quae ullam totam dolorum quae dolor assumenda quod. Magni maiores ab dicta laborum. Eum nulla non asperiores reprehenderit eveniet et. Reiciendis rerum odio ea dolore consequuntur voluptas officiis.

Vitae cumque omnis deleniti asperiores ipsam numquam. Et aut necessitatibus ut cum voluptas. Et quis quidem doloribus quam.

Laudantium impedit eligendi hic sit vero facilis. Tempora perspiciatis aliquam voluptatem mollitia consequuntur repellendus commodi. Necessitatibus et ut sit veritatis. Consequatur hic eaque sed voluptatem doloremque tempore aut harum. Soluta eum voluptatem quo nulla suscipit dolor.

Career Advancement Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Morgan Stanley 08 97.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 02 97.2%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.3%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.8%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.2%

Professional Growth Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.3%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 97.2%

Total Avg Compensation

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (47) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (25) $178
  • Intern/Summer Associate (14) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (83) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (74) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
6
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
10
Mimbs's picture
Mimbs
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”