Director, Intellectual Property

Role Summary

IDEAYA Biosciences is seeking an experienced Intellectual Property (IP) Attorney. Reporting directly to the Vice President of Intellectual Property, this role will support the Company’s intellectual property function to protect the Company’s small molecule product candidates. The ideal candidate will enjoy working collaboratively with inventors across various departments, senior scientific leaders, and the legal team. This position is based in our South San Francisco headquarter offices and required to be onsite four days per week per our company policy.

Responsibilities

• Global IP portfolio management, including preparing and prosecuting patent applications focused on small molecules, and developing IP strategy
• Partner with cross-departmental teams to understand project technology, identify patentable inventions, and implement protection strategies
• Identify and evaluate complex risks (e.g., patentability, infringement, validity) and develop business-focused mitigation strategies
• Conduct freedom-to-operate reviews, analyze third-party patent positions, and guide overall IP strategy
• Perform IP due diligence and provide support for business development opportunities
• Manage external legal counsel and ensure compliance with global IP laws and regulations
• Coordinate and manage patent filings and strategy with collaborators and licensors
• Assist in building IP department infrastructure and policies, and provide internal IP training
• Monitor and assess competitive IP landscape and industry trends for risk and opportunity analysis

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Chemistry, preferably Organic Chemistry, or Master’s in Organic Chemistry
• Juris Doctorate from an ABA credited law school and a member in good standing of the California Bar, or the ability to qualify as California Registered In-House Counsel
• Registered before the United States Patent and Trademark Office
• Minimum 7 years of experience in providing IP counsel and support in the pharmaceutical small molecules (patent preparation and prosecution, life cycle management, opinion, and IP strategy), including preferably 2-3 years in-house experience
• Proven track record developing and implementing patent strategies with demonstrated success securing meaningful patent protection for products and related technology
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and cooperatively in a fast-paced start up environment with internal teams and to respond in a timely and effective manner
• Must have strong analytical skills and the ability to interpret complex scientific and legal information
• Proficiency in using scientific and IP databases
• Must have excellent written and verbal communication skills and attention to detail

Skills

• Strong analytical and interpretive abilities for complex scientific and legal information
• Proficiency with scientific and IP databases
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

Education

• Ph.D. in Chemistry, preferably Organic Chemistry, or Master’s in Organic Chemistry
• Juris Doctorate from an ABA accredited law school
• Registered attorney with the United States Patent and Trademark Office