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Job Title


Legal Partner, R&D Transactions


Company : Astellas Pharma


Location : Markham, York Region


Created : 2025-10-17


Job Type : Full Time


Job Description

Overview At Astellas, we strive to become a cutting-edge, value-driven life science innovator. We focus on patients, pioneering innovation, and a collaborative culture to turn innovative science into VALUE for patients. Our legacy includes oncology, overactive bladder, transplant, and a pipeline in womens health, blindness and regeneration, genetic regulation, immuno-oncology, mitochondria and targeted protein degradation. We are a global pharmaceutical company headquartered in Japan with operations in approximately 70 countries. In Canada, we are growing to meet opportunities from our legacy brands and pipeline. Our culture emphasizes patient focus, ownership, results, openness, and integrity. From day one, everyone at Astellas contributes to creating a brighter future for patients. We nurture relationships, foster innovation, and empower employees to pursue brave ideas and ambitious outcomes with accountability and a solution-oriented mindset. Our open and diverse culture defines what it means to be Astellas. Position The Legal Partner, R&D Transactions provides legal support for R&D transactions across Research, Technology & Manufacturing (T&M), Development, Medical Affairs, and Rx+ functions, and supports other functions as required. Essential Job Responsibilities Provide practical, timely, proactive, high-quality legal services for R&D transactional matters across the Research, T&M, Development, Medical Affairs, and Rx+ functions, balancing global objectives with local and regional legal and regulatory requirements to minimize risk. Offer legal and strategic support for a broad range of R&D transactions; manage drafting, negotiating, and consummating complex agreements supporting Research (e.g., research collaborations, licenses, data sharing, CRO services, advisory boards, regulatory and quality agreements). Provide legal and strategic support for T&M transactions (e.g., supply agreements, manufacturing contracts, collaborations; assist with contract drafting and negotiations and strategic initiatives). Provide legal and strategic support for Development transactions (e.g., clinical trial agreements, assay development, companion diagnostics, expanded access, patient recruitment, informed consent, data sharing and licensing, regulatory and pharmacovigilance agreements). Provide legal and strategic support for Medical Affairs transactions (e.g., investigator-sponsored agreements, CRADAs, sponsored study agreements, collaborative research). Provide legal and strategic support for Rx+ transactions related to medical devices (e.g., consulting, confidentiality, master service, development, and clinical trial agreements). Update management on legal developments affecting the pharmaceutical industry and coordinate with the Legal Functional Unit and GC & CECO Division as appropriate. Identify opportunities to improve contracts by creating templates, checklists, and guidance; participate in contract enhancement initiatives. Collaborate with the Legal Transactions Tower and other Legal teams; retain, supervise, and manage outside counsel and legal expenses within the global budget; coordinate with the Legal Team Lead, R&D Transactions. Other projects as requested by the Legal Team Lead, R&D Transactions; overnight/international travel as needed. Qualifications Required: Bachelor of Laws (LL.B), Juris Doctor (JD), Master of Laws (LL.M.) or equivalent; 5-7 years of experience in a law firm or pharmaceutical legal department. Preferred: Prior experience handling diverse and complex transactions in the pharmaceutical, medical device, or biotechnology industry; science background (chemistry/biology) is an advantage; understanding of patent, trademark, licensing, regulatory processes, anti-kickback, fraud and abuse, and anti-corruption considerations; bar membership in the relevant jurisdiction. Working Environment Hybrid work arrangement supporting work-life balance; flexibility for in-office and remote work in accordance with Astellas Responsible Flexibility Guidelines. Additional Information Astellas Pharma Canada welcomes applications from people with disabilities. Accommodations are available on request for candidates participating in all aspects of the hiring process. No telephone inquiries, in-person applications, or agencies. Only candidates under consideration will be contacted. Category: Legal Transactions. Astellas is committed to equality of opportunity in all aspects of employment, including disability and protected veterans. Seniority level Not Applicable Employment type Full-time Job function Legal Industries Biotechnology Research, Pharmaceutical Manufacturing, and Research Services #J-18808-Ljbffr