Senior Counsel - Patent Medicinal/Pharmaceutical Chemistry

Overview

This role involves developing, implementing, and executing global intellectual property strategies for therapeutic products and product candidates, including small molecules and peptides. Work spans compositions, polymorphs, formulations, processes, and methods of manufacturing, in collaboration with R&D and business teams across multiple geographies.

Responsibilities

• Work with scientists to identify patentable subject matter
• Draft, file, and prosecute patent applications worldwide
• Conduct prior art searches
• Analyze patents and prepare freedom-to-operate opinions
• Support licensing activities through due diligence
• Negotiate and draft research agreements
• Provide legal advice and counsel to R&D and business partners on IP-related matters
• Assist with litigation-related matters and challenge/defend patents in PTAB, opposition, and other forums

Requirements

Basic Qualifications

• J.D. degree or LL.M. degree from an accredited law school, admission to practice law in a U.S. jurisdiction; and
• Four plus (4+) years of experience practicing intellectual property law; and
• Registered to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office

Preferred Qualifications

• Ten (10) or more years of experience practicing patent or intellectual property law
• Experience in all aspects of U.S. and foreign intellectual property law relating to biotechnology at a law firm or biotechnology/pharmaceutical corporation
• An advanced degree such as a master’s degree or Ph.D. in organic or medicinal chemistry
• Excellent analytic, legal drafting, and oral and written communication skills
• Strong management and leadership skills, with a client service focus, and the ability to work independently and in teams
• Ability to work efficiently, prioritize workflow, meet demanding deadlines, and manage multi-dimensional projects in a fast-paced environment
• Experience in U.S. and/or foreign adversarial proceedings (such as patent litigation, Inter Partes Reviews, Post Grant Reviews, and oppositions)

Compensation & Benefits

• The expected annual salary range for this role in the U.S. (excluding Puerto Rico) is posted. Actual salary will vary based on factors including relevant skills, experience, and qualifications.
• Total Rewards Plan (based on eligibility) may include:
  • Health and welfare plans for staff and eligible dependents
  • Financial plans with opportunities to save towards retirement or other goals
  • Work/life balance and career development opportunities
  • Employee benefits package including a Retirement and Savings Plan with generous company contributions, group medical/dental/vision coverage, life and disability insurance, and flexible spending accounts
  • Discretionary annual bonus program (or, for field sales representatives, a sales-based incentive plan)
  • Stock-based long-term incentives
  • Award-winning time-off plans
  • Flexible work models where possible (refer to the Work Location Type in the job posting)

Location

This Senior Counsel position can be remotely located, or worked from: Thousand Oaks, CA; Cambridge, MA; or South San Francisco (CA).