Director, Intellectual Property

Job Summary

About IDEAYA Biosciences: IDEAYA is a precision medicine oncology company committed to the discovery, development, and commercialization of transformative therapies for cancer. Our approach integrates expertise in small-molecule drug discovery, structural biology and bioinformatics with robust internal capabilities in identifying and validating translational biomarkers to develop tailored, potentially first-in-class targeted therapies aligned to the genetic drivers of disease. We have built a deep pipeline of product candidates focused on synthetic lethality and antibody-drug conjugates, or ADCs, for molecularly defined solid tumor indications. Our mission is to bring forth the next wave of precision oncology therapies that are more selective, more effective, and deeply personalized with the goal of altering the course of disease and improving clinical outcomes for patients with cancer.

Job Description

• Global IP portfolio management, including preparing and prosecuting patent applications focused on small molecules, and developing IP strategy
• Partner with cross-departmental teams to understand project technology, identify patentable inventions, and implement protection strategies
• Identify and evaluate complex risks (e.g., patentability, infringement, validity) and develop business-focused mitigation strategies
• Conduct freedom-to-operate reviews, analyze third-party patent positions, and guide overall IP strategy
• Perform IP due diligence and provide support for business development opportunities
• Manage external legal counsel and ensure compliance with global IP laws and regulations
• Cook up and manage patent filings and strategy with collaborators and licensors
• Aid in building IP department infrastructure and policies, and provide internal IP training
• Monitor and assess competitive IP landscape and industry trends for risk and opportunity analysis

Job Requirements

• Ph.D. in Chemistry, preferably Organic Chemistry, or Master’s in Organic Chemistry
• Juris Doctorate from an ABA credited law school and a member in good standing of the California Bar, or the ability to qualify as California Registered In-House Counsel
• Registered before the United States Patent and Trademark Office
• Minimum 7 years of experience in providing IP counsel and support in the pharmaceutical small molecules (patent preparation and prosecution, life cycle management, opinion, and IP strategy), including preferably 2-3 years in-house experience
• Proven track record developing and implementing patent strategies with demonstrated success securing meaningful patent protection for products and related technology
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and cooperatively in a fast-paced start up environment with internal teams and to respond in a timely and effective manner
• Strong analytical skills and the ability to interpret complex scientific and legal information
• Proficiency in using scientific and IP databases
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and attention to detail

Total Rewards

• Competitive total rewards package that reflects our pay-for-performance philosophy
• Merit-based salary increases
• Company discretionary short-term incentive plan participation
• Company discretionary stock option awards (based on board approval)
• Comprehensive benefits package including medical/dental/vision coverage (100% company paid for employees and 90% company paid for dependents), 401k, ESPP, and wellness programs