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

 

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