Director, Intellectual Property
IDEAYA Biosciences
June 25, 2026
On-site
South San Francisco, CA
$261,000 - $322,000 USD yearly
Corporate Functions
Position Summary
- Support the Company’s intellectual property function to protect small molecule product candidates; work collaboratively with inventors, senior scientific leaders, and legal team.
Job Description — What you’ll do
- Manage global IP portfolio, including patent application preparation/prosecution and IP strategy for small molecules.
- Partner cross-departmentally to understand technology, identify patentable inventions, and implement protection strategies.
- Identify/evaluate IP risks (patentability, infringement, validity) and develop business-focused mitigation.
- Conduct freedom-to-operate reviews and analyze third-party patent positions to guide IP strategy.
- Perform IP due diligence and support business development opportunities.
- Manage external legal counsel and ensure compliance with global IP laws/regulations.
- Coordinate/manage patent filings and strategy with collaborators and licensors.
- Build IP department infrastructure/policies and provide internal IP training.
- Monitor competitive IP landscape and industry trends for risk/opportunity analysis.
Job Requirements
- Ph.D. in Chemistry (preferably Organic) or Master’s in Organic Chemistry.
- J.D. (ABA-accredited) and California Bar member in good standing, or ability to qualify as California Registered In-House Counsel.
- Registered before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
- Minimum 7 years IP counsel experience for pharmaceutical small molecules (prep/prosecution, life-cycle management, opinions, IP strategy), preferably 2–3 years in-house.
- Proven track record of successful patent strategy securing meaningful protection.
- Ability to work independently and cooperatively in a fast-paced startup environment.
- Strong analytical ability; interpret complex scientific/legal information.
- Proficiency with scientific and IP databases.
- Excellent written/verbal communication and attention to detail.
Benefits
- Medical/dental/vision; 401(k); ESPP; wellness programs.
Onsite Requirement
- South San Francisco headquarters; onsite 4 days/week.
- Support the Company’s intellectual property function to protect small molecule product candidates; work collaboratively with inventors, senior scientific leaders, and legal team.
Job Description — What you’ll do
- Manage global IP portfolio, including patent application preparation/prosecution and IP strategy for small molecules.
- Partner cross-departmentally to understand technology, identify patentable inventions, and implement protection strategies.
- Identify/evaluate IP risks (patentability, infringement, validity) and develop business-focused mitigation.
- Conduct freedom-to-operate reviews and analyze third-party patent positions to guide IP strategy.
- Perform IP due diligence and support business development opportunities.
- Manage external legal counsel and ensure compliance with global IP laws/regulations.
- Coordinate/manage patent filings and strategy with collaborators and licensors.
- Build IP department infrastructure/policies and provide internal IP training.
- Monitor competitive IP landscape and industry trends for risk/opportunity analysis.
Job Requirements
- Ph.D. in Chemistry (preferably Organic) or Master’s in Organic Chemistry.
- J.D. (ABA-accredited) and California Bar member in good standing, or ability to qualify as California Registered In-House Counsel.
- Registered before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
- Minimum 7 years IP counsel experience for pharmaceutical small molecules (prep/prosecution, life-cycle management, opinions, IP strategy), preferably 2–3 years in-house.
- Proven track record of successful patent strategy securing meaningful protection.
- Ability to work independently and cooperatively in a fast-paced startup environment.
- Strong analytical ability; interpret complex scientific/legal information.
- Proficiency with scientific and IP databases.
- Excellent written/verbal communication and attention to detail.
Benefits
- Medical/dental/vision; 401(k); ESPP; wellness programs.
Onsite Requirement
- South San Francisco headquarters; onsite 4 days/week.