Debiopharm is an independent biopharmaceutical company based in Switzerland with an ongoing commitment to research in oncology and infectious diseases in order to improve patient outcomes and quality of life. Our main activities include drug development, drug manufacturing and digital health investment. Debiopharm International SA aims to develop innovative therapies that target high unmet medical needs. Our unique “development only” business model allows us to act as a bridge between disruptive discovery products and patient access in international markets. We first identify high-potential compounds for in-licensing, clinically demonstrate their safety and efficacy and then select large pharmaceutical commercialization partners to maximize patient access globally.
At Debiopharm you will be at the forefront of the fight against cancer and infectious diseases, and you will have the opportunity to work on new innovative medicines for patients. Efficiency is our mode of action, saving lives our collective target.
We are currently looking for a motivated and collaborative professional to join our Legal Department based at our Headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland as
Senior Legal Counsel – Commercial & Privacy
Permanent role | Lausanne, Switzerland
Your Mission: Protecting Innovation through Legal Excellence
As a Legal Counsel – Commercial & Privacy, you will serve as a pragmatic, business-oriented partner to our commercial, clinical, and operational teams. You will safeguard and develop Debiopharm’s interests by managing a diverse portfolio of complex contracts and driving our global data protection compliance programme.
Your Key Responsibilities
- Commercial & Strategic Contracting: Draft and negotiate a broad range of life sciences agreements, including MSAs, Licenses, Asset Purchases, Manufacturing, and Clinical Trial Agreements (CTAs).
- Data Privacy Leadership: Oversee compliance with Swiss FADP and EU GDPR, providing expert guidance on clinical trial privacy, patient data, and cross-border transfers.
- Risk Mitigation: Identify and anticipate legal risks in business activities, offering actionable solutions to facilitate objectives while protecting company rights.
- Healthcare Compliance: Apply strong knowledge of industry-specific frameworks, including anti-bribery/anti-corruption laws and interactions with Healthcare Professionals.
- Internal Training & Evolution: Enhance legal awareness across the organization by training employees and updating internal policies and templates.
- Dispute Management: Manage pre-litigation strategies and resolve disputes pragmatically, directing external counsel when necessary.
Requirements
Your Profile
- Education: Master of Law (Swiss or EU).
- Experience: Minimum of 7 years post-qualification experience, ideally within the pharmaceutical/biotech industry.
- Expertise: Deep knowledge of commercial contract law and hands-on experience with European and Swiss data privacy regulations.
- Innovation: solid knowledge and proven track records of usage of digital tools, AI, to bring continuous improvement on processes and overall efficiency
- Languages: Full professional proficiency in English is mandatory; fluency in French is a strong asset
- Soft Skills: Orchestrator mindset, proactive, initiative and results driven; collaborative team player, capable of working autonomously and translating complex legal concepts into practical business solutions.
Benefits
What we Offer:
- Being part of a company where innovation, collaboration, and impact aren’t just values — they’re how we work every day
- Partner with teams across disciplines, at the forefront of oncology and anti-infective development
- An inclusive and respectful workplace — proud to be Equal-Pay certified
- Grow in a culture that values people, purpose, and performance
- A chance to grow, share, and shape the future of healthcare
What to Expect in the Recruitment Process:
If your application is selected, you’ll be invited to interviews with Talent Acquisition and the Hiring Manager via Teams, followed by a panel interview and reference checks. Communication is handled via Workable—check your spam folder for emails from *@outbound.workable.com.
Please contact our HR Department prior to submitting any profiles. We cannot accept unsolicited applications from agencies or recruiters.
