Patent Counsel/Senior Patent Counsel

About the role

Legend Biotech’s Intellectual Property team is seeking a Patent Counsel/Senior Patent Counsel with large molecule expertise, including antibody and process development experience. Experience in cell and gene therapy and gene therapy platforms is a plus. As a partner and business strategist, this individual contributor will push the boundaries of what is possible in a highly competitive industry. This position reports directly to the Global Head of Intellectual Property in Legend’s Legal Department. This is a hybrid position (currently 3 days a week). There is expected to be some travel between Legend Headquarters in Bridgewater, NJ and Legend’s R&D locations in Philadelphia, PA and Somerset, NJ.

Responsibilities

• Drive strategic IP procurement and management of global intellectual property, including drafting and prosecuting patent portfolios, working with outside counsel, and serving as a key legal partner on business development, licensing, collaboration, acquisition, and other strategic transactions.
• Support IP-focused due diligence, evaluate transaction-related risks and opportunities, advise on intellectual property strategy, and conduct freedom-to-operate, infringement, validity, and risk assessment and mitigation analyses.
• Manage the prosecution of active global dockets, including handling U.S. and foreign patent applications as well as post-grant proceedings (e.g., reexamination, reissue, post-grant review, foreign oppositions and appeals), as necessary.
• Render due diligence assessments, freedom-to-operate, infringement, and validity analyses, and risk evaluation and mitigation strategies.
• Identify and exploit new strategic opportunities and approaches by leveraging a deep understanding of patent law and a knowledge of the competitive landscape.
• Partner effectively with relevant stakeholders at all levels of the global Legend organization and across all phases of research, development, and commercialization to provide clear, strategic business-enabling strategies.
• Influence business leaders as a trusted advisor and thought partner.
• Deploy in-depth patent and scientific expertise to provide education, guidance, and advice on patent law issues to scientists conducting research and other business stakeholders.
• Maintain and share expertise and knowledge on legal case law, rules, or regulations before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office as well as other relevant jurisdictional IP offices.
• Review, draft, and negotiate intellectual property provisions in a broad range of commercial, research, development, manufacturing, collaboration, licensing, and other corporate agreements to ensure alignment with Legend's intellectual property strategy and business objectives.
• Support business development, licensing, collaboration, and other strategic transactions by conducting IP diligence, assessing intellectual property assets and risks, and advising on transaction structure and intellectual property strategy.
• Partner in intellectual property-related transactions, adverse proceedings, and litigation activities related to individual's program responsibilities.
• Participate in group, department, and cross-functional projects and initiatives where strategies, processes, operating standards, and/or practices are developed and deployed to ensure highest quality practices and execution for all aspects of IP portfolios in a high-performing, agile team setting.
• Sustainably build enduring, productive external relationships with outside counsel, third-party collaborators, and partners.

Requirements

• Undergraduate degree in the biological sciences with focus on immunology, cell biology, cancer biology, biochemistry, and the like; preference given to those with advanced degrees.
• Admission to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) required.
• U.S. law degree (J.D.).
• 8+ years of patent attorney experience in life sciences patent prosecution, with the majority of experience in patent application drafting and prosecution in a pharma/biotech corporate setting and/or representing such clients/matters in a law firm.
• A current “good standing” admission to at least one U.S. state bar is required.
• Experience building and leveraging global IP portfolios for biopharmaceuticals at all stages of prosecution and enforcement.
• Experience designing and executing complex freedom-to-operate analyses across different technologies and jurisdictions.
• Experience developing and communicating actionable risk mitigation strategies.
• Experience supporting business development, licensing, collaboration, and other strategic transactions, including intellectual property due diligence, risk assessment, and negotiation of intellectual property-related agreement provisions is preferred.
• Experience in adverse IP proceedings, including but not limited to U.S. litigation, is a plus.
• Experience in gene therapy, cell therapy, and RNA therapeutics is a plus.

Skills

• Exhibits poise under pressure, solution-oriented mindset, clear communication at all levels of an organization, effective collaboration across local and global teams, and active in-person presence with IP/Legal and business stakeholders.
• Tackles new challenges with curiosity and a growth mindset, effectively utilizing available resources, and an enthusiastic willingness to listen and learn from others.
• Excels in working independently and proactively with minimal direction; strong organizational skills and ability to prioritize and balance competing projects and responsibilities in a fast-paced global organization.
• Demonstrated capacity to manage and prioritize multiple tasks and to work efficiently and independently in a deadline-driven, high-volume environment.
• Highly detail-oriented with excellent oral and written communications skills.
• Strong computer skills, including knowledge of databases and spreadsheets and proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook).
• Strong interpersonal skills, time management, organization, prioritization, planning and coordination, and multi-tasking skills.
• Demonstrated ability to build relationships and work as a team player.
• Ability to maintain the integrity of confidential and sensitive information in a professional manner.
• Embraces a growth mindset and enjoys working in a fast-paced and diverse global organization.
• Engages actively in group, department, and cross-functional projects and initiatives where strategies, processes, operating standards and/or practices are developed and deployed to ensure the highest quality IP portfolios in a high-performing, agile team setting.
• Embraces and fosters a team and organizational culture that reflects a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance as well as a 401(k) retirement plan with a company match that vests fully on day one.
• Eight (8) weeks of paid parental leave after just three (3) months of employment.
• Paid time off policy that includes vacation time, personal time, sick time, floating holidays, and eleven (11) company holidays.
• Voluntary benefits including flexible spending and health savings accounts, life and AD&D insurance, short- and long-term disability coverage, legal assistance, and supplemental plans such as pet, critical illness, accident, and hospital indemnity insurance.
• Voluntary commuter benefits, family planning and care resources, well-being initiatives, and peer-to-peer recognition programs.

Pay

Base pay range: $168,372 USD – $220,988 USD. Actual compensation may vary based on experience, skills, qualifications, and geographic location. Performance-based bonus and/or equity is available to employees in eligible roles.