Director, Formulation Development

About Acadia Pharmaceuticals

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.

Please note that this position can be based in Princeton, NJ. Acadia's hybrid model requires this role to work in our office three days per week on average.

Position Summary

The Director, Formulation Development leads formulation, primary packaging, and manufacturing process development across Acadia’s portfolio of drug candidates from early development through commercialization. This role provides technical leadership for externalized drug product development across oral solid, liquid, and injectable dosage forms, with a primary focus on oral solid dosage forms. The position is responsible for managing Contract Service Providers (CSPs), resolving complex technical issues, and advancing manufacturing process technologies that support clinical supply, process validation, and lifecycle management. This role plays a key part in reducing development risk, improving execution, and accelerating program progression.

Primary Responsibilities

• Design and develop pharmaceutical formulations and manufacturing processes to support clinical development, registration, and product launch
• Evaluate and qualify Contract Service Providers (CSPs) to support development, scale-up, and commercialization, and manage related supplier agreements as needed
• Lead and oversee the development and scale-up of clinical formulations and finished dosage forms at CSPs, serving as on-site technical support when required
• Plan and direct scientific and technical activities, including data interpretation, evaluation of results, development of conclusions, and preparation of technical reports and presentations
• Partner with clinical supply management to define supply requirements and align CSP manufacturing schedules to ensure uninterrupted availability of clinical trial materials
• Conduct risk assessments of manufacturing processes and products at key development milestones and drive resolution of findings with relevant CSPs
• Author and review technical reports and development documentation to support regulatory submissions, including review of MBRs, BPRs, and CSP-generated reports
• Collaborate with analytical, manufacturing, quality, and regulatory teams to develop plans and protocols for drug product development and lifecycle management
• Ensure compliance with cGMP and applicable GxP requirements, and support CSP readiness for health authority and pre-approval inspections
• Perform other responsibilities as assigned

Education, Experience, and Skills

• Advanced degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, or a related field required; an equivalent combination of education and relevant industry experience may be considered. Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible experience in formulation and manufacturing process development, including leadership responsibilities. Proven success in formulation and dosage form development, with experience authoring technical reports and CMC sections for regulatory submissions.
• Deep understanding of dosage form formulation, primary packaging, manufacturing process development, scale-up, optimization, and validation
• Demonstrated success in oral solid dosage form development of new chemical entities
• Strong knowledge of cGMP requirements and experience supporting regulatory filings, including NDAs or other marketing authorization applications
• Proven ability to manage external development and manufacturing partners, including CROs, CMOs, and CSPs
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate complex technical information for cross-functional audiences
• Demonstrated leadership, influence, and resource alignment across functions to achieve development and organizational goals
• Flexibility to travel domestically and internationally

Scope

This role manages complex projects and technical programs to achieve functional objectives in alignment with established policies, timelines, and business goals. The position addresses abstract, cross-functional challenges, develops methods and evaluation criteria for projects and programs, and partners with management on matters affecting the functional area. The role operates with a high degree of judgment in selecting approaches, allocating resources, and resolving issues of diverse scope. Decisions have significant impact on project execution, functional performance, and broader organizational outcomes.

Physical Requirements

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, sit, use hands to handle or feel objects, reach with hands and arms, climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, and see, speak, or hear in a standard office environment and independently from remote locations. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 pounds. Ability to travel domestically and internationally is required.

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In addition to a competitive base salary, this position is also eligible for discretionary bonus and equity awards based on factors such as individual and organizational performance. Actual amounts will vary depending on experience, performance, and location.

Salary Range

$170,200—$212,700 USD

What we offer US-based Employees: