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About Acadia Pharmaceuticals
Acadia is committed to turning scientific promise into meaningful innovation that makes the difference for underserved neurological and rare disease communities around the world. Our commercial portfolio includes the first and only FDA-approved treatments for Parkinson’s disease psychosis and Rett syndrome. We are developing the next wave of therapeutic advancements with a robust and diverse pipeline that includes mid- to late-stage programs in Alzheimer’s disease psychosis and Lewy body dementia psychosis, along with earlier-stage programs that address other underserved patient needs. At Acadia, we’re here to be their difference.
Role Overview
The (Senior) Medical Director, Italy will serve as the foundational medical leader for Rett syndrome in Italy, responsible for designing and executing the full pre-launch and launch medical strategy for a first commercial product, in close collaboration with the country medical staff and aligned with Regional medical and country launch readiness plan strategy. This role combines strategic leadership with hands-on execution, requiring comfort operating with limited infrastructure, evolving processes, and high ambiguity. The position will also act as medical interface to Italian healthcare professionals (HCPs), key opinion leaders (KOLs), and patient advocacy groups (PAGs), while increasing the company’s medical presence and credibility.
Key Responsibilities
Medical Strategy & Startup Leadership
Develop and own the Italian medical strategy for Rett syndrome from pre-launch through launch and post-launch, including budget responsibilities.
Align European scientific vision and strategy into practical, locally relevant medical plans aligned with Italian clinical practice and patient pathways.
Act as the single-country medical authority for Rett syndrome, representing the company externally and internally, together with the country medical affairs & cross functional team
Pre-Launch & Launch Execution
Design and coordinate/execute disease-education and unmet-need medical initiatives ahead of national product approval aligned with launch readiness plan
Lead medical launch readiness, including scientific narratives, medical materials, and internal training, aligned with cross functional launch readiness plan in collaboration EU Regional medical team and local cross functional team
Partner closely with Commercial, Market Access, Compliance, and Regulatory colleagues to ensure a cohesive, compliant launch.
HCP & KOL Engagement
Further develop Italy-wide KOL networks and expert centers, and multidisciplinary Rett syndrome care teams aligned with cross functional engagement plan
Together with country medical colleagues, lead high-impact scientific exchanges, at medical conferences, advisory boards, and expert meetings, often acting as the primary scientific presenter.
Support congress planning, abstracts, and publications relevant to Rett syndrome.
Patient Advocacy Group (PAG) Engagement Support and increase established trusted, long-term partnerships with Italian Rett syndrome patient and caregiver organizations together with country medical staff.
Integrate the patient and caregiver perspective into medical strategy, education, and evidence generation.
Collaborate ethically with PAGs on disease awareness, diagnostic journeys, and unmet needs, in line with Italian and EU compliance standards.
Evidence Generation & Medical Infrastructure
Contribute to the design and execution of real-world evidence, registries, and post-marketing studies in Italy, including Investigator Initiated Studies (IISs), as applicable Support and drive national publication strategies and scientific communication activities.
Help establish medical governance, SOPs, and compliant ways of working in Italy, appropriate for a growing biotech organization.
Cross-Functional & External Leadership
Act as a key medical strategic partner to the General Manager, cross functional team, and senior leadership on scientific, clinical, and medical patient-centric decisions related to Italy.
Support build-out of the Italian medical function, including future hiring, vendor selection, and process development, as needed.
Be an active member of local leadership team as well as European Medical Team
Qualifications & Experience
Education
MD, (PharmD, PhD) or equivalent advanced degree in life sciences.
Background in neurology, paediatric neurology, neurodevelopmental disorders, or rare diseases strongly preferred.
Experience
10+ years in Medical Affairs, Patient Advocacy, or related roles within biotech or (smaller) pharmaceutical companies.
Experience in pre-launch and launch medical activities, ideally in a first-in-class or early-stage product environment, is a strong plus.
Strong experience in rare diseases and/or neurodevelopmental disorders.
Demonstrated ability to work independently, entrepreneurially, and cross-functionally in a lean organization.
Deep understanding of the Italian healthcare system, reference centers, and national rare disease networks.
Skills & Attributes
Highly hands-on, adaptable, and comfortable with ambiguity.
Cross-functional understanding and collaboration
Strong scientific credibility and ability to influence without authority.
Excellent communication skills in Italian and English.
High ethical standards and strong understanding of medical compliance in Italy and the EU.
#NC1
In addition to a competitive base salary, this position is also eligible for discretionary bonus and equity awards based on factors such as individual and organizational performance. Actual amounts will vary depending on experience, performance, and location.
Salary Range
€155.000—€194.200 EUR
What we offer US-based Employees:
Competitive base, bonus, new hire and ongoing equity packages
Medical, dental, and vision insurance
Employer-paid life, disability, business travel and EAP coverage
401(k) Plan with a fully vested company match 1:1 up to 5%
Employee Stock Purchase Plan with a 2-year purchase price lock-in
15+ vacation days
13 -15 paid holidays, including office closure between December 24th and January 1st
10 days of paid sick time
Paid parental leave benefit
Tuition assistance
EEO Statement (US-based Employees): Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they meet every one of the qualifications in the exact way they are described in job postings. We are committed to building a diverse, equitable, inclusive, and innovative company, and we are looking for the BEST candidate for the job. That candidate may be one who comes from a less traditional background or may meet the qualifications in a different way. We strongly encourage you to apply, especially if the reason you are the best candidate isn’t exactly what we describe here.
It is the policy of Acadia to provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and employment applicants without regard to considerations of race, including related to hairstyle, color, religion or religious creed, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, gender transition, country of origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, legally-protected medical condition or information, marital status, domestic partner status, family care status, military caregiver status, veteran or military status (including reserve status, National Guard status, and military service or obligation), status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking, enrollment in a public assistance program, or any basis protected under federal, state or local law.
As an equal opportunity employer, Acadia is committed to a diverse workforce. If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran, you have the right to request a reasonable accommodation. Furthermore, you may request additional support if you are unable or limited in your ability to use or access Acadia’s career website due to your disability, along with any accommodations throughout the interview process. To request or inquire about your reasonable accommodation, please complete our Reasonable Accommodation Request Form or contact us at or 858-261-2923.
Please note that reasonable accommodations granted throughout the recruiting process are not guaranteed to be the same accommodations given if hired. A new request will need to be submitted for any ADA accommodations after starting employment.
California Applicants: Please see Additional Information for California Residents within our Privacy Policy.
Canadian Applicants: Please seeAdditional Information for Canadian Residents within our Privacy Policy.
Applicants in the European Economic Area, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and Serbia: Please see Additional Information for Individuals in the European Economic Area, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and Serbiawithin our Privacy Policy.
Notice to Search Firms/Third-Party Recruitment Agencies (Recruiters): The Talent Acquisition team manages the recruitment and employment process for Acadia Pharmaceuticals Inc. (“Acadia”). Acadia does not accept resumes from recruiters or search firms without an executed search agreement in place. Resumes sent to Acadia employees in the absence of an executed search agreement will not obligate Acadia in any way with respect to the future employment of those individuals or potential remuneration to any recruiter or search firm. Candidates should never be submitted directly to our hiring managers or employees.