Business Development Manager – Preclinical (In Vitro & Ex Vivo Models)

Job Title

Business Development Manager – Preclinical (In Vitro & Ex Vivo Models)

Location: Indiranagar, Bangalore (In office - with travel)

About the Role

We are hiring a Business Development professional to scale our non-animal preclinical services, focused on cell-based assays, reconstructed tissue models, ex vivo tissues, and immunohistochemistry (IHC).

This is a frontline revenue role with full ownership of the sales cycle—from prospecting to deal closure—for pharma, biotech, and consumer health sponsors.

We do NOT conduct animal studies. Candidates must be comfortable selling and positioning alternative, human-relevant preclinical models.

Key Responsibilities

Business Development & Sales

• Drive new business for non-animal preclinical services, including:
• Cell line–based assays
• Reconstructed human tissue models (e.g., skin equivalents)
• Ex vivo human tissue / explant studies
• Immunohistochemistry (IHC) services
• Identify and pursue opportunities with:
• Pharma and biotech companies
• Consumer health and cosmetic companies
• Translational and discovery research teams
• Own the end-to-end sales cycle:
• Lead qualification
• Scientific and technical discussions with clients
• Proposal and pricing coordination
• Commercial negotiation and closure
• Work closely with scientific, histology, and operations teams to ensure technically sound and feasible proposals.
• Drive repeat business through strong account management and long-term client relationships.

Market & Account Development

• Understand sponsor needs related to human-relevant, non-animal preclinical models.
• Position cell-based and ex vivo approaches as alternatives to traditional animal testing.
• Track market trends in:
• In vitro and 3D tissue models
• Ex vivo human tissue research
• Translational and mechanistic studies
• Maintain accurate CRM data, pipelines, and revenue forecasts.

Required Profile (Non-Negotiable)

• 3–7 years of experience in business development or commercial roles within:
• CROs
• Preclinical / translational research organizations
• Lab service providers
• Direct experience selling in vitro, ex vivo, tissue-based, or histology/IHC services.
• Ability to confidently discuss:
• Study design and feasibility
• Timelines and cost drivers
• Scientific trade-offs with clients
• Proven track record of closing deals, not just generating leads.
• Comfortable working in a lean, fast-moving organization with high ownership.

Strongly Preferred

• Experience in dermatology, skin biology, toxicology (non-animal), or translational research.
• Existing relationships with pharma, biotech, or cosmetic R&D teams.
• Exposure to IHC workflows, biomarkers, and histopathology-based readouts.
• Experience selling to international sponsors.

What This Role Is / Is Not

This role IS:

• Revenue- and outcome-driven
• Client-facing and consultative
• Focused on non-animal, human-relevant science

This role is NOT:

• An animal testing BD role
• A marketing or inside-sales-only position
• A coordination or project management role

Compensation

• Competitive fixed salary
• Performance-linked variable pay tied to closed business
• Upside as the preclinical vertical scales

Why Join Us

• Build and scale a modern, non-animal preclinical services vertical
• Direct access to leadership and decision-making
• Faster deal cycles than large CROs
• Ability to shape offerings and commercial strategy