VP of Business Development and Licensing in Doncaster

Remote (UK or East Coast US time zone alignment preferred)

Antiverse are one of those companies that doesn’t come around often. They’re applying AI to antibody drug discovery in a way that genuinely changes how targets are approached and how quickly programmes can move. This isn’t just another platform story, they’re building something that can unlock targets that have historically been out of reach, which is exactly why they’re getting serious attention. They’re at the stage where the science is strong, the story is landing, and now it’s about building the right partnerships to scale properly.

They’re hiring a VP of Business Development & Licensing to take full ownership of partnerships and deal strategy, with a clear path through to Chief Business Officer. This is not a role where you inherit a pipeline and maintain it. You’ll define what good looks like, who they partner with, and how deals get done. You’ll be right in the middle of how the company grows.

What you’ll actually be doing:

• Owning and prioritising a targeted set of high-value pharma accounts, not just reacting to inbound
• Leading complex deals end to end, from initial engagement through to signed agreements
• Structuring smart, commercially strong licensing and collaboration deals, not just following templates
• Shifting the company towards a more focused, account-led BD approach
• Building deep, credible relationships with senior stakeholders across pharma, SVP, CSO and BD leadership level
• Translating a highly technical platform into a clear, compelling commercial story that lands with partners
• Working directly with the CEO and leadership team on how the company positions itself externally
• Putting proper structure in place across BD, CRM discipline, account planning, and deal tracking
• Over time, hiring and building out a high-performing BD function

What they need, and what’s actually essential:

• You’ve done BD&L properly in biotech or pharma, and you’ve closed real, strategic deals, not just supported them
• You understand how to position a platform, not just an asset, and can sell long-term value, not just short-term wins
• You’re comfortable owning relationships at senior level and can hold your own with experienced pharma stakeholders
• You can operate at both levels, thinking strategically about where the company should partner, but also getting into the detail to get deals over the line
• You’re used to working in environments that aren’t fully built yet and don’t need everything handed to you
• Experience in AI drug discovery, biologics or platform companies helps, but mindset and track record matter more

Why it’s worth a conversation:

This is one of those roles where you can actually shape the commercial direction of a company, not just contribute to it. There’s real ownership, direct exposure to the CEO, and a genuine path into a CBO position. If you’re at the point where you want more control, more visibility, and more impact, this is exactly that kind of move.