Launching a Boston-Based R&D Facility for an mRNA Biotech
How we supported RVAC Medicines’ US expansion and helped launch their new R&D facility in Boston.
11
Critical senior appointments
84
% Of vacancies filled
32
Days average time to hire
Building a US Presence from the Ground Up
RVAC Medicines, a fast-growing APAC-based biotech focused on mRNA technology, was preparing to open a new R&D facility in Boston.
With limited brand recognition in the US and logistical challenges hiring talent from their HQ in Asia, they needed a partner with local expertise to build their team and support a successful site launch.
The Challenge
RVAC needed to establish credibility in a highly competitive talent market. They faced three main hurdles:
Attracting local candidates with specialist mRNA and biotech expertise.
Building a presence in the US, where they were relatively unknown.
Managing recruitment and onboarding from outside the region.
The stakes were high — the Boston site needed to be operational within 8 months to keep critical R&D projects on track and secure their next funding milestone.
Our Approach
We partnered closely with RVAC to design and deliver a tailored hiring strategy:
Defining Requirements
Working with leadership to understand goals, culture, and role priorities for the new facility.
Targeted Search & Engagement
Mapping the market, identifying competitor talent, and running a mix of direct headhunting and recruitment marketing to reach both active and passive candidates.
Streamlined Process
Conducting pre-screening and competency checks to ease the burden on RVAC’s internal team.
Onboarding Support
Ensuring a smooth transition for new hires to hit the ground running ahead of the launch.
The Results
Our partnership delivered immediate and measurable impact:
Specialist Roles Filled
11 out of 13 strategic positions filled with an average time to hire of just 32 days.
R&D Site Launched
Recruitment outcomes directly enabled the launch of RVAC’s Boston facility on schedule.
Retained Partner
SEC Life Sciences retained as RVAC’s preferred partner for ongoing US expansion.
The Impact
Beyond the hires, the successful launch of the Boston facility helped RVAC secure a major Series B funding round. With the right leadership and technical expertise in place, they were able to demonstrate execution capability and inspire confidence in their long-term growth strategy.
Key Placements Included
Vice President
Protein Therapeutics
Associate Director
Data Science
Associate Director
Quality and Compliance
Senior Scientist
Chemistry
Senior Scientist
Analytical Development
Senior Data Scientist
Computational Biology
Senior Research Associate
Formulation
Platform Leader
Nanoparticle Technology
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