Description:
An American Biopharmaceutical Company is a biopharmaceutical company that discovers, develops and commercializes innovative therapeutics in areas of unmet medical need. The company's mission is to advance the care of patients suffering from life-threatening diseases worldwide. Headquartered in Foster City, California, Gilead has operations in North, South and Central America, Europe, Africa, Asia and Australia. Gilead makes it a priority to increase access to its medicines for people who can benefit from them, regardless of where they live or their economic status.Associate General Counsel, Intellectual Property (Virology Therapeutic Area Lead - HIV)
Gilead Sciences, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company that has pursued and achieved breakthroughs in medicine for more than three decades, with the goal of creating a healthier world for all people. The company is committed to advancing innovative medicines to prevent and treat life-threatening diseases, including HIV, viral hepatitis, and cancer. Gilead operates in more than 35 countries worldwide, with headquarters in Foster City, California.
As AGC, Intellectual Property, and the Virology Therapeutic Area lead (HIV) for Gilead's patent prosecution team you will serve as the primary point of contact for patent issues relating to HIV programs. You will coordinate and oversee patent prosecution activities related to HIV research and development within the virology therapeutic area. This work requires close coordination and communication with other members of the patent product attorney team supporting HIV programs. You will also directly manage a patent prosecution docket of your own. As a product attorney, you will be a member of Gilead's cross-functional research teams, working collaboratively with preclinical and clinical scientific teams to advance research and clinical candidates, exemplifying Gilead's Core Values and Leadership Commitments.
Specific Responsibilities and Skills:
The successful candidate will work on a range of intellectual property issues in a fast-paced, established pharmaceutical company. The successful candidate will demonstrate Gilead's Core Values and Leadership Commitments through their experience in proactively identifying issues impacting business functions and by their work with legal teams and business units to devise solutions. Experience working in a highly collaborative and dynamic teamwork environment, providing clear, concise and actionable advice to Research and Business is essential. This individual is expected to work independently, demonstrate initiative, sound judgment and a service-oriented focus. They are also expected to share their expertise in pharmaceutical patent strategy with other legal colleagues and to contribute effectively to Legal and cross functional projects. They will be a part of the product attorney group and will report to the manager of the patent prosecution team.
Other responsibilities include:
- Oversee and develop patent portfolios to protect Gilead's product pipeline with a focus on HIV programs.
- Work with members of the patent product attorney team to support the business objectives of HIV programs within the virology therapeutic area.
- Develop worldwide patent prosecution strategies that protect Gilead's inventions and provide actionable advice to business partners.
- Draft and prosecute patent applications (US and foreign patent offices).
- Conduct patentability and freedom-to-operate analyses.
- Counsel research and management colleagues regarding patent strategy, risks and issues.
- Review and assist in the drafting of nondisclosure, research, license and other agreements involving the use, transfer, or ownership of intellectual property.
- Review proposed publications regarding Gilead's research programs for potential IP issues.
- Support IP due diligence efforts for corporate development activities, including licensing and acquisitions, on an as-needed basis.
- Manage outside counsel on patent prosecution matters.
- Address IP issues of regulatory matters relating to exclusivity.
- Manage attorneys in the patent prosecution group.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in chemistry, biochemistry, or related sciences; advanced degree is a plus.
- Admission to practice before the USPTO.
- Juris Doctorate from an accredited law school and admission before a State bar.
- Fully admitted to practice applicable laws in the jurisdiction of residence and responsibility.
- Advanced experience in drafting patent applications, worldwide patent prosecution, and coordinating patent strategy with outside counsel and foreign associates
- Highly developed verbal and written communication skills to deliver clear and concise communications.
- 12+ years of industry or law firm experience, with a focus on pharmaceutical patent prosecution experience.
- 3+ years of experience as corporate in-house counsel specializing in patent law.
