Associate Director, U.S. Patent Agent

Role Summary

The Associate Director, U.S. Patent Agent will play a critical role in shaping and protecting the company’s intellectual property portfolio. This individual will support patent prosecution, portfolio management, and broader IP strategy, working closely with cross-functional teams and external counsel. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in U.S. patent law, particularly within the biotech or pharmaceutical sectors, and a passion for collaborating with world-class scientists.

Responsibilities

• Managing the Company’s U.S. patent portfolio, including preparing and prosecuting patent applications and drafting responses to Office Actions.
• Developing and providing internal training on U.S. IP matters.
• Contributing to technology landscape reviews, freedom-to-operate (FTO) assessments, validity analyses, and development of IP opinions.
• Collaborating with R&D and Clinical teams to identify potential new inventions, coordinating patent filings and prosecution, and protecting Company trade secrets.
• Working closely with senior attorneys and external counsel to align U.S. patent prosecution with global IP strategy.

Additional Responsibilities

• Providing U.S.-specific legal guidance in the context of broader IP strategy development.
• Assisting in IP due diligence in connection with existing and prospective collaboration agreements, and business development opportunities.
• Supporting IP litigation efforts, including working with experts, assisting in factual development, deposition and witness preparation, reviewing pleadings, technology review, and development of case strategy.
• Collaborating with senior attorneys and outside counsel on preparation for hearings, court proceedings and motion practice.
• Contributing to the refinement of internal IP processes and policies to support a growing pharmaceutical enterprise.

Qualifications

• USPTO-registered U.S. Patent Agent with significant experience in biotech/pharma IP prosecution and strategy.
• Advanced degree in biological sciences, immunology, molecular biology, or a related discipline strongly preferred.
• Preferred minimum of 5 years of experience in patent law, preferably within an in-house biotech or pharmaceutical setting.
• Proven track record of working effectively with scientists and legal teams to protect cutting-edge technologies.
• Strong understanding of U.S. IP laws, practices, and procedures, with ability to translate complex scientific concepts into robust IP protections.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Skills

• Patent prosecution and strategy in biotech/pharma domains
• Technical writing and analysis
• Cross-functional collaboration
• Legal research and due diligence
• Communicating complex scientific concepts to diverse audiences

Education

• Advanced degree in biological sciences or related field (preferred)