---
title: 'Director of Business Development – CMC (Ajinomoto Bio-Pharma Services) at Forge Biologics'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/director-of-business-development-cmc-ajinomoto-bio-pharma-services-forge-51cvb750z2m9'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-09-10'
---

# Director of Business Development – CMC (Ajinomoto Bio-Pharma Services) at Forge Biologics

- **Company:** Forge Biologics
- **Location:** Columbus, OH
- **Work type:** remote
- **Posted:** 2026-08-28
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-10
- **Apply:** https://boards.greenhouse.io/forgebiologics/jobs/6147489004?gh_jid=6147489004

## Job description

## About Forge Biologics, Ajinomoto & AJIPHASE®

Ajinomoto Co., Inc. is a global leader in amino acid science, biotechnology, and healthcare, with an expanding global presence in biopharmaceutical development and contract manufacturing. Through Ajinomoto Bio-Pharma Services, the company combines decades of scientific and manufacturing expertise in Japan with an international network serving innovative pharmaceutical and biotechnology partners.

At the heart of this opportunity is AJIPHASE®, Ajinomoto's proprietary hybrid solid/solution-phase synthesis technology for manufacturing high-purity oligonucleotides and peptides. AJIPHASE® offers a proven, highly scalable approach to complex synthesis — from milligram quantities to over 200 kg — with an established track record supporting FDA-approved commercial drug products under cGMP conditions. AJIPHASE® sits alongside Ajinomoto's broader portfolio of proprietary technologies, including CORYNEX® (microbial protein and peptide expression) and AJICAP® (site-specific ADC technology), reflecting the company's continued investment in advancing biopharmaceutical manufacturing.

This position offers a unique commercial opportunity to bring a highly differentiated, proprietary Japanese biomanufacturing technology to the rapidly evolving North American biopharmaceutical market. You will be employed by Forge Biologics, a U.S.-based subsidiary of Ajinomoto Co., Inc., while serving as a dedicated strategic bridge to Ajinomoto Bio-Pharma Services — the primary commercial and technical link between North American clients and Ajinomoto's specialized manufacturing teams in Japan.

About The Role:

As a vital member of the Client Development department, the Director of Business Development drives strategic growth by generating high-value partnerships for our innovative AJIPHASE® platform-based oligonucleotide and peptide CDMO business within Ajinomoto Bio-Pharma Services. Reporting to the VP of Business Development, this individual identifies new leads among pharma and biotech innovators and oversees technical project management ensuring precise CMC coordination between North American clients and the AJIPHASE® technical manufacturing teams based in Japan. Additionally, this role includes navigation of contract negotiations and securing of clinical and commercial API pipelines.

Responsibilities:

- Generates high-value sales leads and active clinical and/or commercial pipeline opportunities in North America for our AJIPHASE® liquid-phase synthesis technology targeting pharmaceutical and biotechnology clients developing oligonucleotides and/or peptides.
- Coordinates technical project workflows, overseeing standard Chemistry, Manufacturing, and Controls (CMC) requirements to guarantee technical alignment with target clients.
- Facilitates direct, cross-border technical communications and operational alignment with the AJIPHASE® expert technical teams based in Japan.
- Negotiates and structures complex master services agreements (MSAs) and technical commercial statements of work (SOW) to win and finalize new client programs.
- Presents technical capabilities of the AJIPHASE® platform to technical executives at industry conferences and scientific forums to develop brand recognition and new leads.
- Travels domestically to build and maintain client relationships across major biopharma clusters, with periodic international travel to Japan to align with AJIPHASE® technical and manufacturing teams.

Qualifications:

- Bachelor’s degree in a life sciences field (e.g., Chemistry, Biochemistry, Biotechnology) or a business degree paired with substantial technical pharmaceutical experience.
- 3–5 years of dedicated experience in Business Development
- 3+ years of hands-on experience with CMC at a pharmaceutical or biotech company, or in a CMC support role at CDMO company.
- Demonstrated familiarity with high-level CRM data architecture and technical CMC documentation workflows.
- Experience collaborating across global time zones.
- Ability and willingness to travel domestically between 25-50% of the time, along with international travel to Japan approximately 2-3 times per year.

Preferred Skills:

- Strong CMC-related skills and technical baseline knowledge in chemistry and synthesis of oligonucleotides and/or
- Established commercial network within major global biopharma clusters (e.g., Boston, San Francisco, Europe).
- Direct experience handling cross-cultural communications and corporate operations within a global Japanese or multinational entity.

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned.

Work Environment and Physical Demands

This position is performed in a temperature-controlled hybrid office environment or remotely while executing business travel requirements. The role requires prolonged sitting or standing at a workstation, intense hand manipulation for continuous computer use, and regular regional or international travel to client sites and production facilities in Japan.

Forge Biologics is an equal opportunity employer dedicated to building an inclusive and diverse workforce. Forge Biologics, provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

## About Forge Biologics

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: Forge Biologics is a US-based gene therapy CDMO (Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization) that provides AAV-focused development, cGMP manufacturing, and analytical services to accelerate therapies from concept to commercial.
- **Entity Type**: Private (subsidiary of the Ajinomoto Group)
- **Headquarters**: Columbus, Ohio, USA
- **Founded**: Not publicly available
- **Founders**: Not publicly available – the company was founded by gene therapy developers, but specific names are not disclosed [forgebiologics.com](https://www.forgebiologics.com/about/)

## Core Business
- **Primary industry**: Gene therapy contract development and manufacturing (CDMO), with a singular focus on adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors.
- **Target customers**: Gene therapy innovators, including researchers, biotechnology companies, and pharmaceutical developers (B2B, from early discovery through commercial production).
- **Mission**: “To enable access to life-changing gene therapies by helping bring them from concept to reality” [forgebiologics.com](https://www.forgebiologics.com/about/)

## Products & Services
- **[The Hearth]**: 200,000+ sq. ft. cGMP facility with 20 custom-designed cGMP suites, bioreactors ranging from 50 to 5,000L, and dedicated space for future expansion – one of the largest AAV manufacturing sites in the world. [forgebiologics.com](https://www.forgebiologics.com/facility/)
- **[FUEL™ Technology Platform]**: Includes novel technologies such as Ignition Cells™, pEMBR™ 2.0 Ad Helper, modified rep/caps, and advanced analytics for AAV characterization – designed to improve yield, speed, and quality. [forgebiologics.com](https://www.forgebiologics.com/)
- **Development & Manufacturing Services**: End-to-end support from molecular development, product-specific process development, IND review, analytical development, and cGMP manufacturing for clinical and commercial supply. [forgebiologics.com](https://www.forgebiologics.com/)
- **Quality & Regulatory Support**: A rigorous quality organization representing 30% of the team, divided into Quality Management (QA, systems, validation) and Quality Control (analytical, microbiology, environmental monitoring). [forgebiologics.com](https://www.forgebiologics.com/facility/)

## Market Standing
- **Valuation**: Not disclosed (private subsidiary of Ajinomoto Group)
- **Key Metric**: Total funding not applicable (subsidiary); however, over 60 clients have used Forge’s technologies, and more than 600 clients have been supported across all stages. The team numbers nearly 400 experts. [forgebiologics.com](https://www.forgebiologics.com/about/)
- **Notable Investors/Partners**: Parent company Ajinomoto Group (global scale); strategic partnerships with Skylark Bio and Epicrispr Biotechnologies. [forgebiologics.com](https://www.forgebiologics.com/)
- **Growth Signals**: 
  - My Green Lab® Certification earned in June 2026, highlighting sustainability leadership among global CDMOs. [forgebiologics.com](https://www.forgebiologics.com/)
  - Designation as a Gene and Cell Therapy Hub in Columbus, Ohio, leveraging regional gene therapy innovation legacy.
  - 35+ batches manufactured to date, with ongoing scale-up for larger programs and indications.
  - 20 cGMP suites and bioreactors up to 5,000L indicate growing capacity. [forgebiologics.com](https://www.forgebiologics.com/facility/)

## Competitive Advantages
- **Singular AAV focus**: Unlike multi-modal CDMOs, Forge is dedicated exclusively to AAV vectors, enabling deeper expertise, proprietary technology (FUEL™ platform), and optimized processes.
- **Purpose-built facility**: The Hearth is one of the largest AAV-dedicated cGMP manufacturing sites globally, with 20 suites and flexible bioreactor scales for seamless scale-up/down.
- **Quality-first culture**: 30% of the team is in Quality functions, ensuring rigorous compliance and reliability for clients.
- **Scientific & Manufacturing Advisory Board**: Independent industry leaders guide innovation and best practices. [forgebiologics.com](https://www.forgebiologics.com/company/leadership/)
- **Subsidiary of Ajinomoto Group**: Access to global scale, scientific legacy, and commercial infrastructure.

## Strategic Focus
- **Scaling capacity**: Continued expansion of The Hearth to accommodate more programs and larger indications, with space for additional cGMP suites.
- **Technology leadership**: Advancing the FUEL™ platform to improve AAV manufacturing yield, purity, and speed.
- **Sustainability**: Integration of green lab practices (My Green Lab certification) as a differentiator.
- **Talent development**: Annual internship program to cultivate next-generation gene therapy scientists. [forgebiologics.com](https://www.forgebiologics.com/careers/)
- **Strategic partnerships**: Deepening collaborations with gene therapy developers (e.g., Skylark Bio, Epicrispr Biotechnologies) to support novel therapies.

## Why Work Here
- **Culture**: Driven by values of HOPE – hardworking, open, purpose-driven, and engage. Described as a diverse, passionate team redefining gene therapy manufacturing. [forgebiologics.com](https://www.forgebiologics.com/careers/)
- **Work Environment**: Flexible work environment offered, plus an onsite fitness facility & wellness center. The Hearth is designed with social hubs for connection and recharge. [forgebiologics.com](https://www.forgebiologics.com/careers/)
- **Benefits**: Medical, dental & vision insurance; generous PTO; 401K match; paid parental leave; Employee Assistance Program; bonus for every position. [forgebiologics.com](https://www.forgebiologics.com/careers/)
- **Recognition**: Forge has been named a “Best Place to Work” (recognition not further specified). [forgebiologics.com](https://www.forgebiologics.com/careers/)
- **Career Growth**: Nearly 400 employees; hands-on roles from science to operations; internship program for early talent. The company is growing rapidly.
- **Location**: Rooted in Columbus, Ohio – a region with strong gene therapy legacy, top talent, and ongoing investment. [forgebiologics.com](https://www.forgebiologics.com/facility/)
- **Job Listings**: Open roles posted on [Greenhouse](https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/forgebiologics) – candidates are cautioned against recruitment scams; Forge never asks for money or sensitive data during applications.

## Sources
1. [forgebiologics.com](https://www.forgebiologics.com/) – Main website with overview, mission, technology, and partnerships.
2. [forgebiologics.com/about/](https://www.forgebiologics.com/about/) – Company background, mission, leadership, values (HOPE), and team size.
3. [forgebiologics.com/facility/](https://www.forgebiologics.com/facility/) – The Hearth facility details (200k sq ft, 20 suites, bioreactor scales, quality organization).
4. [forgebiologics.com/careers/](https://www.forgebiologics.com/careers/) – Benefits, culture, internship program, and work environment.
5. [forgebiologics.com/company/leadership/](https://www.forgebiologics.com/company/leadership/) – Leadership team with advisory board.
6. [linkedin.com/company/forge-biologics](https://www.linkedin.com/company/forge-biologics) – LinkedIn company page for verification of size and industry.
7. [job-boards.greenhouse.io/forgebiologics](https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/forgebiologics) – Official career portal (Greenhouse) for current job openings.

## Other roles at Forge Biologics

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- [Validation Engineer I](https://feeny.ai/job/validation-engineer-i-forge-biologics-columbus-xxhj48kce71z) — Columbus, OH
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