Building a High-Impact Leadership & Specialist Team in Neuropsychiatry
Challenge
As the client advanced development of its lead CNS asset, they needed to strengthen their leadership and technical capabilities across medical, regulatory, and toxicology functions. This included appointing a Chief Medical Officer and securing highly specialised contract expertise. A key challenge was identifying candidates with a strong track record of working with the FDA, particularly within psychiatry drug development. While headquartered in Europe, the client required access to top-tier US-based talent with deep regulatory and clinical experience.
Approach
We supported the client through a combination of retained executive search and rapid contract deployment. For the fractional roles, we leveraged our established network and targeted headhunting approach, delivering shortlists within three days. Following a rigorous screening and referencing process, both contractors were successfully placed within two weeks. For the Chief Medical Officer search, led by Lauren McQuade, we conducted a focused mapping and outreach process, presenting seven highly qualified candidates within two weeks. Four candidates progressed to the interview, with three reaching the final stage. The successful candidate was secured within 12 weeks, meeting the client’s critical timeline. Each search was underpinned by a tailored screening process, including detailed briefing sessions, structured interview frameworks, and comprehensive referencing.
Chief Medical Officer
Fractional Chief Regulatory Officer
Expert Toxicologist
Fractional roles filled within 3 weeks
Neuropsychiatry
CMO placed within 12 weeks
I first met Mark O’Brien at the inaugural Bio-Neuroscience meeting, and over the past year that relationship has developed into a highly effective partnership with Warman O’Brien on several key hires for Oryzon, including our Chief Medical Officer, alongside fractional leadership support across Regulatory and Scientific. Lauren and her team have been a fantastic support along the way and consistently delivered exceptional shortlists, demonstrating a clear understanding of the briefs and the leadership profiles required. Warman O’Brien have been a trusted partner and I would strongly recommend them to any Biotech seeking senior executive or fractional leadership talent.
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