Senior Medical Director, Italy

About Acadia Pharmaceuticals

Acadia is committed to turning scientific promise into meaningful innovation that makes the difference for underserved neurological and rare disease communities around the world. Our commercial portfolio includes the first and only FDA-approved treatments for Parkinson’s disease psychosis and Rett syndrome. We are developing the next wave of therapeutic advancements with a robust and diverse pipeline that includes mid- to late-stage programs in Alzheimer’s disease psychosis and Lewy body dementia psychosis, along with earlier-stage programs that address other underserved patient needs. At Acadia, we’re here to be their difference.

Role Overview

The (Senior) Medical Director, Italy will serve as the foundational medical leader for Rett syndrome in Italy, responsible for designing and executing the full pre-launch and launch medical strategy for a first commercial product, in close collaboration with the country medical staff and aligned with Regional medical and country launch readiness plan strategy. This role combines strategic leadership with hands-on execution, requiring comfort operating with limited infrastructure, evolving processes, and high ambiguity. The position will also act as medical interface to Italian healthcare professionals (HCPs), key opinion leaders (KOLs), and patient advocacy groups (PAGs), while increasing the company’s medical presence and credibility.

Key Responsibilities

• Medical Strategy & Startup Leadership
  • Develop and own the Italian medical strategy for Rett syndrome from pre-launch through launch and post-launch, including budget responsibilities.
  • Align European scientific vision and strategy into practical, locally relevant medical plans aligned with Italian clinical practice and patient pathways.
  • Act as the single-country medical authority for Rett syndrome, representing the company externally and internally, together with the country medical affairs & cross functional team.
• Pre-Launch & Launch Execution
  • Design and coordinate/execute disease-education and unmet-need medical initiatives ahead of national product approval aligned with launch readiness plan.
  • Lead medical launch readiness, including scientific narratives, medical materials, and internal training, aligned with cross functional launch readiness plan in collaboration EU Regional medical team and local cross functional team.
  • Partner closely with Commercial, Market Access, Compliance, and Regulatory colleagues to ensure a cohesive, compliant launch.
• HCP & KOL Engagement
  • Further develop Italy-wide KOL networks and expert centers, and multidisciplinary Rett syndrome care teams aligned with cross functional engagement plan.
  • Together with country medical colleagues, lead high-impact scientific exchanges, at medical conferences, advisory boards, and expert meetings, often acting as the primary scientific presenter.
  • Support congress planning, abstracts, and publications relevant to Rett syndrome.
• Patient Advocacy Group (PAG) Engagement
  • Support and increase established trusted, long-term partnerships with Italian Rett syndrome patient and caregiver organizations together with country medical staff.
  • Integrate the patient and caregiver perspective into medical strategy, education, and evidence generation.
  • Collaborate ethically with PAGs on disease awareness, diagnostic journeys, and unmet needs.