Patent Agent

About the role

Stoke Therapeutics (Nasdaq: STOK) is a biotechnology company dedicated to restoring protein expression through RNA medicine. Stoke’s proprietary TANGO approach uses antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) to selectively restore naturally-occurring protein levels. Their lead drug, zorevunersen, has shown promise in modifying disease in patients with Dravet syndrome and is currently in a Phase 3 trial. Stoke focuses on diseases caused by a loss of ~50% of normal protein levels, with proof-of-concept in various organs and systems.

Responsibilities

• Draft responses to U.S. Patent and Trademark Office actions and coordinate responses to foreign office actions with outside counsel and foreign associates.
• Draft and assist with the preparation of provisional, non-provisional, PCT, continuation, divisional, and foreign patent applications.
• Support global patent prosecution strategy for Stoke’s research and development programs.
• Work with outside counsel to ensure high-quality, strategically aligned patent filings and prosecution positions.
• Review and analyze prior art, office actions, search reports, written opinions, and examination reports.
• Maintain and update patent docket records, portfolio records, invention disclosure records, and related IP documentation.
• Partner with scientists and technical teams to identify patentable inventions and develop appropriate patent protection strategies.
• Review invention disclosures, research updates, publications, posters, abstracts, presentations, and manuscripts for potential IP implications.
• Develop and deliver IP trainings for internal scientists and R&D teams, including training on invention disclosure practices, publication review, confidentiality, patent filing strategy, and good IP hygiene.
• Help maintain and develop a global patent portfolio aligned with Stoke's scientific, clinical, and business objectives.
• Conduct patentability, landscape, freedom-to-operate, validity, and competitive intelligence searches.
• Monitor competitor patent filings, publications, clinical developments, and relevant patent office proceedings.
• Prepare summaries and analyses of third-party patent positions and competitive IP developments.
• Support internal assessments of IP risks and opportunities for Stoke's programs and technology platforms.

Requirements

• Registration to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
• Bachelor's degree in chemistry, biochemistry, molecular biology, cell biology, chemical biology, biotechnology, pharmacology, biomedical engineering, or a related life sciences discipline. Advanced degree preferred.
• Law degree or state bar admission is welcome but not required.
• Approximately 3-5 years of patent prosecution experience in a law firm, biotech company, pharmaceutical company, or comparable life sciences environment.
• Technical or patent experience involving antisense oligonucleotides, RNAi, mRNA technologies, or related modalities a plus.
• Experience drafting and prosecuting patent applications in the biotechnology, pharmaceutical, chemical, or life sciences fields.
• Experience preparing responses to U.S. patent office actions.
• Familiarity with foreign patent prosecution practice, including working with outside counsel or foreign associates.
• Experience conducting patentability, prior art, landscape, freedom-to-operate, or competitive intelligence searches.
• Strong scientific judgment and ability to understand complex biological, chemical, and therapeutic technologies.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong attention to detail, organizational skills, and ability to manage multiple deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Able to work collaboratively with scientists, lawyers, business colleagues, and outside counsel.