Client background
This clinical-stage biotechnology company is changing the treatment of cancer with their novel therapeutic platform. They have about 75 employees with multiple programs in Phase 1 trials.
Challenge
Our client had been using a part-time consultant to lead their regulatory strategy and execution for the past few years. Based upon their positive Phase 1 data, the CEO decided they needed a full-time SVP of Regulatory to advance their programs and lead interactions with FDA. They needed somebody with strong oncology expertise and experience with biologic programs, who has successfully secured approvals for oncology therapeutics in the past. They also wanted someone with strong global regulatory experience who has built and led regulatory teams. They preferred candidates who were local to the SF Bay Area, or who were willing to travel to their Bay Area office regularly. In addition, they needed somebody who would fit well with their company culture and mesh with their executive leadership team.
Approach
Dennis Partners kicked off a Retained Search in January 2026 to find qualified candidates for our client. We focused on Regulatory Vice Presidents and SVPs on the West Coast who matched for oncology, biologics, NDA/BLA/MAA, and global/ex-US keywords. We recruited and vetted candidates that would be the best fit for their organization.
Result
Although the candidate pool was highly specialized and limited, we successfully delivered eight qualified executives throughout the search process in two slates of four. Every candidate presented brought more than 20 years of industry experience, including 10+ years of direct experience in oncology, along with deep expertise in biologics, global and ex-US marketing applications, team leadership, and a proven track record of successful drug approvals.
Our client interviewed all submitted candidates and advanced their finalist through onsite meetings with the executive team. Dennis Partners checked the candidate’s references and helped to negotiate an offer.
The candidate accepted the offer in April and joined the company in May. The search was completed in just 84 days from kickoff to signed offer, and the client was extremely pleased with the outcome.