Scientific Business Development Specialist- In Vitro Models

Job title: Scientific Business Development Specialist- In Vitro Models in San Diego, CA at Apple & Associates
Company: Apple & Associates
Job description: Scientific Business Development SpecialistLocation: Remote (West Coast strongly preferred)Territory: United States (excluding Northeast) + CanadaTravel: ~30%, including scientific conferences and client visitsReports To: Head of Business DevelopmentSeniority Level: Mid-Senior Level (Associate or Senior title based on experience)Compensation: Base salary + Uncapped Commission + Tiered AcceleratorAbout the CompanyOur organization is a UNC spinout biotech that has redefined preclinical gastrointestinal modeling through its proprietary RepliGut® Systems - a human stem cell-derived, physiologically relevant in vitro model of the intestinal epithelium.Whether in kit form for internal use or offered via contract research services, RepliGut® enables drug developers to model intestinal responses without animal models - saving time, cost, and increasing clinical translation. Applications include:

• DMPK: Absorption and permeability assessments for oral drugs
• Toxicology: Detection of GI-specific liabilities often missed in animal studies
• Inflammation: Mechanistic studies and efficacy testing in IBD, IBS, and microbiome-related disease

Role OverviewWe are seeking a mission-aligned Scientific Business Development Specialist who can marry scientific credibility with commercial execution. You'll play a central role in driving adoption of human-relevant GI models in pharma, biotech, and academic research - serving both inbound interest and generating new demand through strategic outreach.This is not a catalog-sales position - your ability to interpret experimental design challenges and recommend customized solutions will determine your success.Key Responsibilities:Consultative Sales & Client Engagement

• Serve as a technical liaison to scientists evaluating human GI models for absorption, metabolism, toxicology, or disease modeling
• Lead discovery calls to qualify project needs, study endpoints, and research timelines
• Translate client objectives into solutions using RepliGut® kits or custom CRO service offerings
• Propose study designs in collaboration with Client Services Team (CST), ensuring scientific feasibility and commercial fit
• Create and deliver customized pitch decks, SOWs, and proposals

Account Management & Customer Success

• Cultivate long-term relationships with clients by tracking ongoing study progress and aligning future pipeline opportunities
• Maintain scientific credibility throughout the project lifecycle - from proposal to data delivery
• Champion customer feedback internally to guide product roadmap, assay development, and support materials

Territory & Pipeline Development

• Own and execute a sales plan focused on biotech, pharma, and translational academic labs across your U.S. territory
• Attend 10-12 targeted scientific conferences per year (e.g., AAPS, SOT, DDW, FASEB) to present Company offerings and identify new leads
• Partner with internal marketing to identify passive outreach gaps and co-develop messaging strategies
• Maintain accurate CRM records and forecast reports via HubSpot

Scientific & Market Expertise

• Stay up to date on emerging trends in organ-on-a-chip, human-relevant modeling, 3Rs initiatives, and GI drug development
• Understand competitive landscape including models
• Deliver insights back to internal R&D and manufacturing teams to inform future innovation

The Science You'll RepresentRepliGut® Systems provide a human primary cell-based model of the intestinal epithelium with:

• Tight junction formation and barrier integrity (TEER monitoring)
• Polarized transport mechanisms
• Drug metabolism enzyme expression (e.g., CYP3A4)
• Inflammatory cytokine response modeling (e.g., TNF-α, IL-6)
• Differentiated enterocyte, goblet, and Paneth cell phenotypes

Use Cases Include:

• Evaluating GI permeability in drug candidates
• Detecting off-target intestinal toxicity earlier in development
• Simulating human inflammatory responses for IBD therapeutics
• Screening drug formulations to reduce adverse GI side effects
• Supporting IND-enabling studies and regulatory submissions

You Might Be a Fit If You:

• Have 2-5+ years in preclinical biotech/pharma or scientific CRO business development
• Hold a BS/MS/PhD in biology, pharmacology, toxicology, or a related discipline
• Can read a paper and pitch the implications to a PI or translational director
• Enjoy “hunter-style” sales - energized by finding and closing new opportunities
• Understand how pharma scientists think, because you used to be one
• Thrive in early-stage environments with evolving processes
• Want to sell a product with scientific integrity, clinical potential, and global relevance

Compensation & Perks

• Uncapped commission structure with accelerator tiers:
• 2.0% starting
• 2.5% at 50% of quota
• 3.0% at 75%
• 3.5% at 100%+
• Flexible remote work (West Coast time zone preferred)
• Opportunity to work alongside scientists and founders who are shaping the next generation of preclinical models
• Direct mentorship from BD leadership and cross-functional exposure

Why This Role, Why Now?You're not just selling - you're shaping the future of how drugs are evaluated before they reach patients. Regulatory shifts like the FDA Modernization Act 2.0 are pushing the industry toward human-relevant systems. We are leading the way in GI modeling, and you can lead the charge commercially.Ready to put your scientific insight back into action - and get rewarded for it?Let's talk.
Expected salary:
Location: San Diego, CA
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