Patent Attorney II

Role Summary

Patent Attorney II at Novartis in Cambridge, MA. Responsible for performing, managing, directing, and leveraging designated patent and related IP activities within the R&D organization.

Responsibilities

• Provide counseling to R&D clients on opportunities to protect inventions, create IP portfolios, advise on publication strategies, and mitigate third party risks.
• Build and manage patent portfolios by identifying inventions and preparing, prosecuting, maintaining, and defending filings, including areas related to new chemical entities, processes, platforms, technologies, and clinical developments.
• Render legal opinions on patentability, validity, and freedom to operate; formulate patent strategies to secure IP positions and enable IP defenses.
• Apply expertise in national patent law and practice to devise patent strategies and advice.
• Understand and apply other forms of protection relating to exclusivity as required.
• Communicate effectively with colleagues, leadership, and the R&D organization.
• Build and manage external relationships with outside counsel and collaborators within a global patent function.
• Conduct due diligence assessments including FTO, infringement and validity analyses, and risk evaluation and mitigation.
• Provide IP support for transactional projects, such as collaborations and in-licensing, including contract drafting and negotiation.
• Review publication requests in a timely manner.
• Deliver work on-time, on-target, and within budget.
• Continue professional development and contribute to IP colleagues‚Äô development.

Qualifications

• Required: J.D. degree with admission to at least one state bar and registration to practice before the US Patent Office.
• Required: Bachelor‚Äôs degree in chemistry or equivalent plus 1‚Äì2 years exposure to drug discovery/development processes; MS/PhD in chemistry preferred.
• Experience: 7+ years as a qualified patent attorney in a law firm or pharmaceutical/biotech industry.
• Strong scientific background in chemical sciences; direct lab experience preferred.
• Expertise in US and PCT law, filing and prosecution; understanding of European and other major patent systems.
• Strong customer-service focus and ability to build partnerships with stakeholders and project teams.
• Experience incorporating global outlook and product lifecycle management into decision-making.

Skills

• Effective analytical, presentation, and communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team.
• Strong research, critical thinking, and decision-making abilities with attention to detail.
• Excellent organization and time management; capability to prioritize multiple priorities.
• Interpersonal skills including partnership, influence/persuasion, and teamwork.