Lee Sayers, PhD, PMP

Executive Director of Program Management @ Zentalis Pharmaceuticals

About

PMP certified drug development executive in the biopharmaceutical industry, with over 25 years experience from small biotech to mid and large sized pharmaceutical companies. I add value to organizations by building and leading cross-functional drug development teams to develop global drug development, regulatory and commercialization strategies. I translate strategy into effective cross-functional drug development plans that clearly identify key development milestones, required resources and risks, enabling organizations to plan effectively and identify key value inflection points in their portfolio. Having lived and worked in the US, Europe and Asia I am able to work effectively across cultural differences, understanding regional and country specific differences impacting the development and commercialization of therapeutics. My therapeutic experience has more recently been focussed in oncology however I also have experience in cardiovascular, renal, immunology and neurology. I have also worked on small molecules, biologics and gene therapies. Key areas of experience include, but not limited to: Drug Development Strategy, Development of Cross-Functional Plans, Risk Management, Program Management, Portfolio Management, Program Leadership, Clinical Trial Design and Execution, Regulatory Strategy and Compliance, Oncology & Immuno-oncology, Gene Therapy, Budget and Resource Management, Cultural Awareness, Alliance Management, R&D Partnerships, Asia Pacific and Japan.

Country

United States

City

San Diego

Industry

Biotechnology

Skill

Japanese, Executive Management, Timeline Management, Program Leadership, Strategic Thinking, Advisory Boards, Biomarkers, Project Management, Clinical Development, Consumer Healthcare, Clinical Operations, Global Drug Development, Strategic Alliances, Japanese market, Asia Pacific, Project Portfolio Management, CRO, Cross-functional Team Leadership, Business Development, Cardiovascular Disease

Experience

Executive Director of Program Management

Zentalis Pharmaceuticals

2024-1 - Present · 2 yrs 9 mos

Remote

Senior Director of Program Management

Zentalis Pharmaceuticals

2023-1 - 2024-1 · 1 yr 1 mo

Providing program management leadership to Zentalis oncology asset azenosertib in gynecological cancers.

Director, Development Program Management - Solid Organ Oncology

Regeneron

2021-4 - 2023-1 · 1 yr 10 mos

New York, United States

Director of Program & Portfolio Management

Vertex Pharmaceuticals

2019-8 - 2021-4 · 1 yr 9 mos

Greater Boston Area

Director of Program & Portfolio Management at Vertex Pharmaceuticals.

Senior Director of Program Management, Ultragenyx Gene Therapy

Ultragenyx

2018-3 - 2019-5 · 1 yr 3 mos

Cambridge, Massachusetts

Program Management Lead for Ultragenyx Gene Therapy portfolio, progressing candidate gene therapy programs for rare diseases through clinical development & launch.

Executive Director, Program & Portfolio Management

Boston Pharmaceuticals

2016-5 - 2018-3 · 1 yr 11 mos

Cambridge, Massachusetts

Boston Pharmaceuticals is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company that partners with innovative biotechnology companies, pharmaceutical companies and academic groups to acquire or in-license drug development candidates to develop through proof of concept. Responsibilities: Lead management preparation for quarterly Board meetings. Prepare scenario planning and provide subject matter expertise in project management and drug development to validate in-license and acquisition of potential drugs. Oversee program on-boarding including drug development team, strategy and operating budget post acquisition. Lead cross-functional drug development teams and facilitate de-risking drug development plans, identifying critical go/no-go decisions.

Principal Clinical Operations Lead - Oncology/ Immuno-Oncology

Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany

2015-6 - 2016-5 · 1 yr

Greater Boston Area

Clinical Operations Lead for Global Drug Development Program in Oncology at EMD Serono, leading clinical operations team with accountability to deliver large global multi-center phase 2/3 clinical program. Clinical Operations Lead & team representative for cross-functional Global Program Team.

Director, Global Project Management - Immuno-Oncology

Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany

2013-5 - 2015-5 · 2 yrs 1 mo

Billerica, MA

Project Management Director for immuno-oncology global drug development programs at EMD Serono.

Global Senior Project Manager - Consumer Health

Pfizer

2012-4 - 2013-5 · 1 yr 2 mos

Madison, New Jersey

Global Project Management Lead for development of Advil-based pain & respiratory OTC therapeutics.

Associate Director of Strategic Project Management

Takeda

2011-6 - 2012-4 · 11 mos

London, United Kingdom

Provided project management leadership to global, cross-functional drug development teams in the successful delivery of early to late-phase drug development projects in psychiatric and G.I. therapeutic areas. In addition, provided leadership to key initiatives that have cross-functional impact and that are critical to the regional business objectives of Takeda Global R&D Europe.

Director of Project Delivery

PRA Health Sciences

2010-4 - 2011-3 · 1 yr

Reading, United Kingdom

With operational oversight of PRA's project teams, worked to ensure bid profitability & successful delivery of projects to exceed client expectations. Leading rigorous and proactive project risk review to ensure identification of project risks & implementation of risk mitigation plans. Providing direct interface and relationship management with the client. Responsibility for further developing business & operational expertise in Asia-Pac region, especially in Japan & China.

Global Program Team Director

Novartis

2008-4 - 2010-4 · 2 yrs 1 mo

East Hanover, New Jersey, USA

Provided leadership of cross-functional drug development teams in the creation & execution of global drug development strategies in the cardio-renal disease area, with a special focus on hypertensive disease & heart failure. Lead the successful global development, registration and launch of novel single pill combination antihypertensive therapeutics.

Director of Project Management, Cardiovascular Disease Area

Novartis

2007-4 - 2008-4 · 1 yr 1 mo

Cambridge, MA, USA

Provided leadership of project management activities & early drug development teams in the cardiovascular disease area. In close collaboration with full development, provided strategic leadership into plans to deliver proof of concept & transition of projects into full development. Provided input into cardiovascular disease area strategy through close collaboration with marketing & full development groups.