QA Specialist III, Early Phase Quality Operations

Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq ARWR) is a commercial stage biopharmaceutical company that develops medicines that treat intractable diseases by silencing the genes that cause them. Using a broad portfolio of RNA chemistries and efficient modes of delivery, Arrowhead therapies trigger the RNA interference mechanism to induce rapid, deep, and durable knockdown of target genes. RNA interference, or RNAi, is a mechanism present in living cells that inhibits the expression of a specific gene, thereby affecting the production of a specific protein. Arrowhead’s RNAi-based therapeutics leverage this natural pathway of gene silencing.

Arrowhead is focused on developing innovative drugs for diseases with a genetic basis, typically characterized by the overproduction of one or more proteins that are involved with disease. The depth and versatility of our RNAi technologies enables us to potentially address conditions in virtually any therapeutic area and pursue disease targets that are not otherwise addressable by small molecules and biologics. Arrowhead is leading the field in bringing the promise of RNAi to address diseases outside of the liver, and our clinical pipeline includes disease targets in the liver and lung with a promising pipeline of preclinical candidates.

Arrowhead’s corporate headquarters is in Pasadena, CA with research and development teams in Madison, WI & San Diego, CA, and a state of the art manufacturing facility in Verona, WI. Our employees are nimble, science-driven innovators who are collaborating to bring new therapies to patients in need.

The Position

The purpose of this position is to provide quality assurance support to early phase clinical programs focusing on those utilizing contract development, manufacturing, and testing organizations. The incumbent will review vendor documentation and perform lot disposition for investigational product per applicable quality agreements and phase-appropriate GMP requirements, as well as capture quality data and generate metrics for vendors. The incumbent will be expected to interact with internal departments as well as multiple contract organizations, including contract manufacturers, contract testing laboratories, clinical packaging and labeling providers, and clinical supply depots, to support ongoing early phase clinical programs, from first-in-human through Phase 2, at Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Responsibilities

Interact with personnel companywide to obtain the necessary information and details to provide quality assurance support of early phase clinical programs.

Serve as a day-to-day Quality Assurance contact for contract manufacturers (CDMOs/CMOs), contract testing laboratories, clinical packaging and labeling providers, and clinical supply depots supporting early phase programs.

Review and approve vendor generated documentation for early phase clinical material, including but not limited to, master and executed batch records, testing records, certificates of analysis (CoA), labels, protocols, and reports, against approved specifications and the applicable IND/CTA/IMPD.

Review clinical label text and labeling records from packaging and labeling vendors, including label reconciliation and verification of required regional content.

Perform lot disposition of investigational product per the applicable quality agreement and generate certificates of compliance (CoC) as necessary.

Assemble and review documentation packages supporting Qualified Person (QP) release of product supplied to studies outside the US, as assigned.

Collaborate with vendors on quality events and non-conformances as outlined in the applicable quality agreement, including review of vendor deviations, OOS/OOT results, and investigations, and track events to timely closure.

Review vendor change notifications and support Arrowhead assessment of their impact on investigational product.

Review vendor stability protocols, reports, and data supporting early phase material, as assigned.

Support evaluation of shipping and storage temperature excursions affecting investigational product held at vendors, clinical supply depots, and clinical sites.

Support vendor qualification activities, including quality questionnaires, audit scheduling and logistics, audit response tracking, and maintenance of quality agreement records, as necessary and assigned.

Support technical transfer to vendors through review of transfer related documentation, as assigned.

Assist with tracking vendor quality metrics, including batch record review cycle time, quality event aging, and right-first-time performance; notify QA management of any performance issues.

Assist with preparation, update, review, and routing of Arrowhead procedural documents, as necessary.

Scan and upload executed documents to the EDMS, properly categorize within the system, and route for verification/approval.

Draft, review, and approve standard operating procedures (SOP) and work instructions (WI) as needed.

Maintain knowledge of current compliance expectations and regulations pertaining to early phase drug development and investigational product supply (e.g., 21 CFR Parts 210/211, FDA cGMP guidance for Phase 1 investigational drugs, ICH Q7, and EU GMP Annex 13).

Assist with QA duties as needed.

Requirements

BS/BA in an applicable scientific field such as chemistry, biology, or biochemistry

Minimum of 5 years of quality assurance or similar experience in a biotech or pharmaceutical development, manufacturing, or contract manufacturing organization, including experience supporting early phase clinical programs.

Working knowledge of GMP, GCP, and/or GDP regulations as well as ICH and FDA guidance documents, including phase-appropriate application of GMP to investigational products.

Experience reviewing batch records, certificates of analysis, and testing records generated by external manufacturers and laboratories.

Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.

Ability to consistently communicate with external parties in a professional manner.

Ability to follow company procedures, work instructions, and policies.

Excellent attention to detail and organizational skills.

Ability to work independently with minimal supervision as well as manage priorities within a fast-paced environment.

Ability to travel occasionally, up to 10%, to support vendor oversight, as needed.

Preferred

Prior experience with use of an electronic document management system in a regulated environment is preferred

Competent knowledge of and ability to use Adobe Acrobat, Microsoft Office programs, and SmartSheet.

Experience supporting IND/CTA/IMPD enabling programs and first-in-human study starts.

Experience supporting QP release or clinical trial supply to studies outside the US.

Experience with oligonucleotide, peptide, or biologic modalities and/or sterile drug product.

Experience with quality agreements and vendor quality metrics programs.

Wisconsin pay range $78,000—$98,000 USD

Arrowhead provides competitive salaries and an excellent benefit package.

Candidates must have current, valid authorization to work in the country where this role is located.

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