SmartSearch
Executive DecisionCard

Peter Borden

AbbVie|Director of Search & Evaluation Neuroscience|Chicago, IL

Role
Head of Business Development, US Specialty
Search Lead
Jackie Wyard-Yates
Generated
20 February 2026
Scope Match

Borden brings proven buy-side execution with three completed deals including a $1.2B transaction, backed by strong scientific credentials. However, two critical gaps emerge: his deals focused on clinical-stage and discovery assets rather than the late-stage compounds STADA specifically targets, and his stated aspiration to "lead a team" conflicts with the entrepreneurial solo operator model required for this remote, individual contributor role.

DimensionCandidateRole Requirement
Deal Experience3 completed in-licensing deals including $1.2B Aliada transaction; clinical-stage and discovery assetsLate-stage assets (post-Phase II and filed compounds)
Scientific DepthPhD biomedical engineering with neuroscience focus; 3 years evaluating neuroscience and eye care assetsPhD or MD background with technical fluency
Geographic ScopeGlobal asset evaluation including significant China activityUS and Chinese biotech sourcing focus
Role StructureSeeking team leadership role and organizational growthIndividual contributor operating remotely without US office
Key Criteria Assessment
1

Buying-side business development experience

Almost three years of dedicated buy-side search and evaluation experience at AbbVie, where he has completed three full in-licensing deals plus participated in final diligence for the Cerebell M&A acquisition. Has due diligenced "hundreds of companies" and confirmed that "all of the deals I've done have been licensing deals" on the in-licensing side.
at AbbVie
2

End-to-end deal execution capability

Completed three full deals at AbbVie including the Aliada transaction ($1.2B for brain shuttle technology) and the Aterex collaboration (multi-TA discovery collaboration with "a couple hundred million upfront"). Also participated in the Cerebell acquisition where he "performed the final leg of diligence through the M&A of the company."
at AbbVie
3

US biotech network and relationships

Travels "at least one to two full weeks a quarter, probably close to two weeks a quarter" attending conferences including JPMorgan and BIO, suggesting active engagement in the US biotech ecosystem. However, depth of senior-level relationships with CEOs, CBOs, or Heads of R&D was not explored in the interview.
at AbbVie
4

Scientific depth and technical fluency

Holds a PhD in biomedical engineering with a neuroscience focus from Georgia Tech Emory. Has almost three years in AbbVie's Search & Evaluation group focused on neuroscience and eye care, having due diligenced "hundreds of companies" and completed neuroscience-focused transactions including the Aliada brain shuttle technology deal.
at AbbVie and Georgia Tech Emory
5

Entrepreneurial and independent operator

Expressed interest in the STADA opportunity but stated he is "looking for a bigger role" and "hoping to lead a team at some point," noting "sounds like I'd be the only hire" and expressing hope "we could grow to a team of individuals." This suggests orientation toward team-building rather than solo entrepreneurial operation.
at AbbVie
Compensation & Timeline
Current Package
Not mentioned
Over $400,000
Expectation
Closer to $300,000
Closer to $500,000
Client Budget
Not mentioned

Used "probably" and "closer to" suggesting some flexibility around the $500K figure

Notice PeriodNot mentioned
Earliest StartNot mentioned
Why Are They Interested?
↑
Leadership opportunity — Interested because "I could lead the group which is something that I'm interested to do more of" and hopes to "grow to a team of individuals to really shape the business development opportunities."
↓
Seeking bigger role — Stated he is "looking for a bigger role" after having "done a couple of deals and kind of understand how it goes" at AbbVie.
Potential Concerns
⚠

No late-stage deal experience - acknowledged "I haven't been involved in late stage" and philosophy that "usually there's a reason why they're late stage and not picked up already" contrasts with STADA's focus on post-Phase II and filed assets

⚠

Role structure misalignment - explicitly seeking team leadership opportunities while STADA requires entrepreneurial individual contributor operating remotely without US office infrastructure

⚠

US biotech network depth not validated - while attends major conferences, senior-level relationships with CEOs/CBOs not explored

✦
✦Our Take— Jackie Wyard-Yates

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