Patent Counsel

About the role

We are seeking a highly motivated and skilled Patent Attorney to join our team in New Jersey or Massachusetts. The role involves working directly with our internal R&D team to identify inventions, conduct patentability assessments, and draft and prosecute patent applications for novel chemical sciences inventions. The position supports programs in all phases of development, from discovery through development and commercialization, and allows for the support of programs in various therapeutic areas and modalities.

Responsibilities

• Work independently through product development teams to devise a patenting strategy with the goal of building robust portfolios of intellectual property for cutting-edge biopharmaceutical products;
• Draft and prosecute patent applications related to our Company’s products, product candidates and platform technologies on a global basis;
• Work with internal litigation colleagues to support oppositions, or other proceedings related to your supported programs;
• Work with a large team of in-house U.S. and European patent attorneys, paralegals, legal operations and support staff, and local agents;
• Conduct freedom to operate analyses for our Company’s R&D activities;
• And actively support various business development activities (e.g., research collaborations and acquisitions) by conducting IP due diligence on assets or technology of interest, counseling the business as to IP expectations, and supporting the drafting and negotiation of related agreements, all while working with a team of scientific, legal and commercial functions.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in the biological, pharmaceutical or chemical sciences from an accredited institution;
• Graduate of an accredited US law school;
• Registered to practice before the USPTO;
• Member in good standing of a Bar of at least one state or the District of Columbia;
• Five (5) or more years of experience as an attorney in a law firm or corporate setting, drafting and prosecuting pharmaceutical or biological patent applications (time accrued as a practicing patent agent may be considered);
• Strong technical background in chemical or biological sciences;
• Excellent communication and analytical skills.

Qualifications

• Advanced degree in the biological or chemical sciences;
• Experience in counseling clients on intellectual property issues;
• Experience prioritizing work and leveraging resources to manage a significant workload;
• Ability to build partnerships and work in cross-functional teams;
• Ability to communicate competently and confidently with R&D clients, business partners, and senior leaders;
• Ability to exercise judgment to drive decisions on routine and non-routine matters within areas of practice;
• Ability to be proactive and take initiative.