Patent Attorney
Novartis
June 25, 2026
Remote friendly (Cambridge, MA)
United States
Corporate Functions
Key Responsibilities
- Provide clear, strategic, business-focused counsel to R&D clients on invention protection, portfolio development, publication strategy, and third-party risks.
- Build and manage patent portfolios by identifying inventions and preparing, prosecuting, maintaining, and defending patent filings across areas such as new molecular entities, processes, manufacturing, platforms, technologies, and clinical developments.
- Render legal opinions on patentability, validity, and freedom to operate; develop patent strategies to strengthen IP positions, support freedom to operate, and enable IP defense.
- Apply national patent law knowledge and patent trends/legal developments to shape strategy and advice.
- Understand and apply other exclusivity protections, as appropriate.
- Communicate effectively across Legal, IP, and R&D organizations; manage relationships with outside counsel and collaborators.
- Conduct due diligence and provide counsel on freedom-to-operate, infringement, validity, risk evaluation, and mitigation.
- Support transactional matters (M&A, research collaborations, in-licensing) including contract drafting and negotiation.
- Ensure high-quality, timely delivery aligned to business goals and budgets.
Essential Requirements / Qualifications
- JD with admission to at least one state bar and registration to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
- Advanced degree in chemistry or related field (doctoral preferred).
- Significant experience as a patent attorney in a law firm or pharmaceutical/biotechnology environment.
- Strong chemistry technical expertise (small molecules, synthesis, or pharmaceutical development preferred).
- Expertise in U.S. and PCT patent law/prosecution; detailed understanding of European and other major global patent systems.
- Proven ability to partner with scientific and business stakeholders.
- Strong analytical, communication, decision-making skills; high attention to detail.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced global environment.
Benefits & Rewards (if applicable)
- Salary range: $204,400–$379,600 per year; performance-based cash incentive; potential eligibility for annual equity awards; US benefits including health, life/disability, 401(k), and time off.
- Provide clear, strategic, business-focused counsel to R&D clients on invention protection, portfolio development, publication strategy, and third-party risks.
- Build and manage patent portfolios by identifying inventions and preparing, prosecuting, maintaining, and defending patent filings across areas such as new molecular entities, processes, manufacturing, platforms, technologies, and clinical developments.
- Render legal opinions on patentability, validity, and freedom to operate; develop patent strategies to strengthen IP positions, support freedom to operate, and enable IP defense.
- Apply national patent law knowledge and patent trends/legal developments to shape strategy and advice.
- Understand and apply other exclusivity protections, as appropriate.
- Communicate effectively across Legal, IP, and R&D organizations; manage relationships with outside counsel and collaborators.
- Conduct due diligence and provide counsel on freedom-to-operate, infringement, validity, risk evaluation, and mitigation.
- Support transactional matters (M&A, research collaborations, in-licensing) including contract drafting and negotiation.
- Ensure high-quality, timely delivery aligned to business goals and budgets.
Essential Requirements / Qualifications
- JD with admission to at least one state bar and registration to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
- Advanced degree in chemistry or related field (doctoral preferred).
- Significant experience as a patent attorney in a law firm or pharmaceutical/biotechnology environment.
- Strong chemistry technical expertise (small molecules, synthesis, or pharmaceutical development preferred).
- Expertise in U.S. and PCT patent law/prosecution; detailed understanding of European and other major global patent systems.
- Proven ability to partner with scientific and business stakeholders.
- Strong analytical, communication, decision-making skills; high attention to detail.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced global environment.
Benefits & Rewards (if applicable)
- Salary range: $204,400–$379,600 per year; performance-based cash incentive; potential eligibility for annual equity awards; US benefits including health, life/disability, 401(k), and time off.