At Biogen, our mission is clear - we are pioneers in neuroscience. Biogen discovers, develops, and delivers worldwide innovative therapies for people living with serious neurological and neurodegenerative diseases. Together, our employees create, commercialize, and manufacture transformative therapies for our patient population.   

We at Biogen are committed to building on our culture of inclusion and belonging that reflects the communities where we operate and the patients who we serve. We are focused on strengthening our foundation to advance our overall Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DE&I) strategy and, most importantly, ensure all our employees feel included. 

As an intern or co-op at Biogen, you can expect to be placed on a real project, under the guidance of experienced professionals and subject matter experts who are invested in your career and academic growth. We also ensure that you have plenty of opportunities to build your network, learn more about our organization through weekly lunch and learns led by leaders from across the company, and join us for several fun events.  

Summary 

This application is for a 6-month student role from January - June 2024. Resume review begins in October 2023. 

The Clinical Pharmacology and Pharmacometrics Co-op at Biogen will be an integral part of the dynamic team dedicated to advancing antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) development for neurologic disorders. Working alongside experts in clinical pharmacology, you will engage in scientific and regulatory literature reviews, distilling complex information to support the development of comprehensive clinical pharmacology packages for ASOs.

Embracing Biogen’s pioneering spirit and commitment to innovation, you will lead the development/refinement of physiologically-based pharmacokinetic modeling of ASOs, including a R Shiny app to provide a user-friendly interface in support of model based drug development (MIDD). Actively participating in cross-functional meetings, you will experience the inclusivity of our diverse teams, broadening the understanding of the drug development lifecycle and strengthening the commitment to ethical and collaborative practice. This work will embody Biogen’s core values, fostering a consumer-focused, including, pioneering, agile, accountable, and ethically strong culture. Join us in making a meaningful impact on patients’ lives and pioneering the future of biotechnology. 

Position Description 

Day to day responsibilities

• Conduct scientific and regulatory literature reviews to gather relevant information, synthesize information and prepare a presentation and manuscript on the study design and key clinical pharmacology considerations for developing ASOs. 
• Development and refine of physiologically-based pharmacokinetic modeling of ASOs, including a R Shiny app to provide a user-friendly interface in support of model based drug development (MIDD).  
• Actively participate in relevant project and department meetings to gain exposure to the drug development process. 
• Engage in informational meetings with individuals from various functions throughout Biogen to broaden your understanding of cross-functional collaboration. 

Deliverables

• Presentation and paper on key study design and clinical pharmacology considerations for developing antisense oligonucleotide therapies. 
• R Shiny app to support PBPK modeling of ASOs 

Example projects may include: 

• Project 1: Scientific and regulatory literature review, synthesis, summary and presentation of the clinical study design, dose optimization and clinical pharmacology package for antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs). 
• Project 2: Develop a R Shiny app to support PBPK modeling of ASOs designed for intrathecal delivery in support of dose selection (eg. animal to human translation; early to late phase extrapolation; adult to infant extrapolation, etc). 

• Understanding of pharmacology, drug development and interest in neuroscience 
• Solid data analysis skills (R, NONMEM or equivalent population modeling software, Phoenix, PowerPoint, Excel) 
• Experience with PBPK and PKPD modeling 
• Hands on experience with R and familiarity with Shiny apps 
• Strong written and oral communication skills 

To participate in the Biogen Co-op Program, students must meet the following eligibility criteria: 

• Legal authorization to work in the U.S. 
• At least 18 years of age prior to the scheduled start date 
• Be currently enrolled in an accredited college or university 
• Commitment to a continuous six-month program duration 

Education 

• Degree level: PhD candidate or PharmD Candidate with strong quantitative background 
• Majors: Clinical pharmacology, Pharmacometrics, Pharmacokinetics, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or relevant life science field including but not limited to chemical engineering, biomedical engineering, or statistical science. 

Why Biogen?

Our mission to find therapies for neurological and rare diseases is a unique focus within our industry and this shared purpose is what connects us as a team. We work together to overcome obstacles and to follow the science. We are resilient as we strive to make an impact on our patients’ lives and on changing the course of medicine. Together, we pioneer. Together, we thrive.

At Biogen, we are committed to building on our culture of inclusion and belonging that reflects the communities where we operate and the patients we serve. We know that diverse backgrounds, cultures, and perspectives make us a stronger and more innovative company, and we are focused on building teams where every employee feels empowered and inspired. Read on to learn more about our DE&I efforts.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, race, color, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, religion, age, veteran status, disability, genetic information or any other basis protected by federal, state or local law. Biogen is an E-Verify Employer in the United States.