Senior Counsel, Small Molecule-Innovation Law

Role Summary

Senior Counsel, Small Molecule-Innovation Law. This role provides strategic patent counsel to support Bristol Myers Squibb’s small molecule programs, including internal preparation and prosecution of patents, freedom-to-operate analyses, and cross-functional guidance to align IP strategy with business objectives. The position may be based in Princeton, NJ, Cambridge, MA, or San Diego, CA, and involves collaborating with R&D, regulatory, commercial, and other teams to protect innovations and support business development.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and prosecute patent applications, including drafting, filing, and managing responses to office actions on a global level.
• Provide comprehensive program counseling to various functional areas, ensuring alignment with BMS's strategic objectives.
• Develop and implement advanced IP strategies to protect BMS's innovations and support business goals.
• Lead cross-functional collaboration efforts working closely with R&D, regulatory, commercial, and other departments to achieve project milestones.
• Conduct freedom-to-operate analyses and provide strategic counsel on patentability and infringement issues.
• Manage patent portfolios, including conducting patent landscape analyses and developing patent strategies to protect BMS's innovations.
• Provide due diligence support for business development activities, including evaluating IP portfolios of potential partners and acquisition targets.
• Draft and negotiate license and research collaboration agreements.
• Manage relationships with outside counsel to ensure high-quality and cost-effective legal services.
• Regularly engage with business and technical teams to provide IP-related guidance and support.
• Stay updated on changes in patent laws and regulations and ensure compliance with all relevant legal requirements.

Qualifications

• Registered to practice before the USPTO.
• A J.D. degree and admission to at least one state bar is preferred.
• 10 or more years of patent law experience in the pharmaceutical/biotechnology industry.
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent in chemistry, biochemistry, or pharmaceutical sciences. An advanced degree and/or scientific research experience is preferred.
• Excellent analytical, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Service-oriented focus with the ability to work as part of cross-functional teams and drive results.
• Highest integrity, excellent judgment, and the ability to proactively recognize and effectively assess business risk and communicate legal issues to patent, legal, and key stakeholders.