Director, Intellectual Property
Axsome Therapeutics is a biopharmaceutical company leading a new era in the treatment of central nervous system (CNS) conditions. We deliver scientific breakthroughs by identifying critical gaps in care and develop differentiated products with a focus on novel mechanisms of action that enable meaningful advancements in patient outcomes. Our industry-leading neuroscience portfolio includes FDA-approved treatments for major depressive disorder, agitation associated with dementia due to Alzheimer’s disease, excessive daytime sleepiness associated with narcolepsy and obstructive sleep apnea, and migraine, as well as multiple novel product candidates addressing a broad range of serious neurological and psychiatric conditions that impact over 150 million people in the United States. Together, we are on a mission to solve some of the brain’s biggest problems so patients and their loved ones can flourish.
About the Role
Axsome Therapeutics is seeking a Director of Intellectual Property to help build its intellectual property portfolio and contribute to its patent and trademark strategies. This role will support key cross-functional projects and report to the VP & Principal Patent Counsel, who reports to the General Counsel. The position is based at Axsome’s headquarters in New York City with an on-site requirement of at least three days per week.
Responsibilities
- Work closely with external counsel to manage prosecution of a portfolio of patents and trademarks and applications in the U.S. and globally, including patent term extensions and SPCs.
- Provide legal support in negotiating, drafting, and reviewing licensing, co-promotion, co-development, co-marketing, and clinical trial collaboration agreements.
- Collaborate with development teams to monitor results, new uses, and formulations arising during research and development, ensuring timely protection of patentable matter through filings and prosecution.
- Manage patent term extensions, Orange Book listings, claims for regulatory exclusivity, and new patent protections for pipeline and marketed products.
- Conduct freedom-to-operate (FTO), patentability, and infringement/validity analyses.
- Monitor current developments in key legal areas and provide updates to the Executive Leadership Team.
- Recommend strategic policies and procedures to maximize IP protection in view of new legal and regulatory developments.
- Develop IP policy, procedure, and training on IP law and topics in collaboration with the Principal Patent Counsel.
Requirements
- 5+ years of relevant experience.
- JD with admission to practice in at least one state bar.
- Scientific degree relevant to the life sciences industry; Ph.D./MS a strong plus.
- Registration to practice before the USPTO.
- Ability to work on-site Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday.
Skills
- Strong experience supporting small-molecule pharmaceutical or biotechnology products, including developing small-molecule patent strategy.
- Drafting patent applications covering inventions such as composition-of-matter, formulations, polymorphs, salts, dosing regimens, and method-of-treatments is a plus.
- Prior law firm and in-house experience at a pharmaceutical and/or biotechnology company is a plus.
- Comfort working on cross-functional projects with scientific, clinical, and regulatory colleagues.
- Strong communication skills.
Pay
The anticipated salary range for this role is $245,000 - $270,000. The salary offer will be based on experience, qualifications, internal equity, and location.
Benefits
- Competitive employment package including an annual bonus and significant equity.
- Generous benefits package.