Business Development and Strategy Intern
About The Position
Acadia is committed to turning scientific promise into meaningful innovation that makes the difference for underserved neurological and rare disease communities around the world. Our commercial portfolio includes the first and only FDA-approved treatments for Parkinson’s disease psychosis and Rett syndrome. We are developing the next wave of therapeutic advancements with a robust and diverse pipeline that includes mid- to late-stage programs in Alzheimer’s disease psychosis and Lewy body dementia psychosis, along with earlier-stage programs that address other underserved patient needs. At Acadia, we’re here to be their difference. The Business Development and Strategy Intern will support the Business Development and External Innovation team by contributing to strategic initiatives, operational projects, and day-to-day business activities. This role is designed to provide meaningful, hands-on experience in a professional pharmaceutical environment, offering exposure to cross-functional collaboration, business processes, and industry best practices. The candidate will contribute to the execution of a detailed analysis of indications for Acadia to target for inlicensing and partnering opportunities. This internship is a great opportunity for someone interested in Pharmaceutical R&D strategy development and decision making. Learn more about our internship program here.
Requirements
- Currently enrolled in an accredited college or university pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Neuroscience, Biology, or related field.
- Minimum GPA of 3.0 preferred.
- Prior internship, leadership experience, campus involvement, or project-based work preferred.
- Experience with reading and analyzing primary research articles.
- Experience with the use of AI for research.
- Strong organizational skills, with attention to detail.
- Excellent problem-solving abilities.
- Interest in the pharmaceutical and/or biotechnology industry strongly preferred.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to interpret data and identify trends.
- Effective verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to present information clearly and professionally.
- Strong organizational and time-management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
- High level of professionalism, discretion, and ability to maintain confidentiality.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Outlook)
- Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a team-based environment.
- Demonstrated initiative, curiosity, and willingness to learn in a fast-paced environment.
Responsibilities
- Contribute to the analysis of potential therapeutic indications for inlicensing and partnering with support from External Innovation (EI)..
- Assess the usefulness of AI (Copilot) to facilitate assessment of indications by working with the EI, Business Development (BD) and Strategic Product Planning (SPP) teams to identify optimized query scripts to elicit targeted information for indication analysis and to assess the reliability and completeness of the source material Copilot is using.
- Construct opportunity landscapes of potential partnering opportunities for therapeutic indications of interest using curated databases and publicly available information.
- Identify most promising areas of biology in therapeutic indications of interest by working with EI and cross-functional R&D team members,.
- Participate in team meetings, planning sessions, and strategic discussions to gain exposure to business operations and contribute insights where appropriate.
- Maintain accurate records and ensure systems and trackers are updated in a timely manner.
- Demonstrate professionalism, accountability, and alignment with company values in all interactions.
- Complete a capstone project or final presentation summarizing internship contributions and key learnings (if applicable).
Benefits
- Competitive base, bonus, new hire and ongoing equity packages
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance
- Employer-paid life, disability, business travel and EAP coverage
- 401(k) Plan with a fully vested company match 1:1 up to 5%
- Employee Stock Purchase Plan with a 2-year purchase price lock-in
- 15+ vacation days
- 13 -15 paid holidays, including office closure between December 24th and January 1st
- 10 days of paid sick time
- Paid parental leave benefit
- Tuition assistance
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What This Job Offers
Career Level
Intern
