Description:

Position Purpose:
Stoke Therapeutics is seeking a highly motivated Patent Agent to join its Intellectual Property team. This individual will report to the Head of Intellectual Property and will play an important role in protecting Stoke's innovations and supporting the company's intellectual property strategy.

The Patent Agent will work closely with internal scientists, R&D leaders, outside counsel, and other cross-functional stakeholders to support Stoke's patent portfolio, including U.S. and foreign patent prosecution, patent application drafting, patentability and freedom-to-operate analyses, competitive intelligence, docket management, and internal IP education.

This role is based in Bedford/Waltham, MA three days a week and is not available for remote applicants. It is an excellent opportunity for a patent professional with a strong technical background in chemistry, biochemistry, molecular biology, or a related life sciences field, and with experience supporting biotech or pharmaceutical patent portfolios. Familiarity with antisense oligonucleotides, RNAi, mRNA technologies, oligonucleotide chemistry, nucleic acid therapeutics, or related RNA-based therapeutic platforms is highly desirable.

Key Responsibilities:

Patent Preparation and Prosecution
Draft responses to U.S. Patent and Trademark Office actions and coordinate responses to foreign office actions with outside counsel and foreign associates.
Draft and assist with the preparation of provisional, non-provisional, PCT, continuation, divisional, and foreign patent applications.
Support global patent prosecution strategy for Stoke's research and development programs.
Work with outside counsel to ensure high-quality, strategically aligned patent filings and prosecution positions.
Review and analyze prior art, office actions, search reports, written opinions, and examination reports.
Maintain and update patent docket records, portfolio records, invention disclosure records, and related IP documentation.
Invention Capture and Portfolio Development
Partner with scientists and technical teams to identify patentable inventions and develop appropriate patent protection strategies.
Review invention disclosures, research updates, publications, posters, abstracts, presentations, and manuscripts for potential IP implications.
Develop and deliver IP trainings for internal scientists and R&D teams, including training on invention disclosure practices, publication review, confidentiality, patent filing strategy, and good IP hygiene.
Help maintain and develop a global patent portfolio aligned with Stoke's scientific, clinical, and business objectives.
Patentability, FTO, and Competitive Intelligence
Conduct patentability, landscape, freedom-to-operate, validity, and competitive intelligence searches.
Monitor competitor patent filings, publications, clinical developments, and relevant patent office proceedings.
Prepare summaries and analyses of third-party patent positions and competitive IP developments.
Support internal assessments of IP risks and opportunities for Stoke's programs and technology platforms.

Required Skills & Experience:

Registration to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
Bachelor's degree in chemistry, biochemistry, molecular biology, cell biology, chemical biology, biotechnology, pharmacology, biomedical engineering, or a related life sciences discipline. Advanced degree preferred.
Law degree or state bar admission is welcome but not required.
Approximately 3-5 years of patent prosecution experience in a law firm, biotech company, pharmaceutical company, or comparable life sciences environment.
Technical or patent experience involving antisense oligonucleotides, RNAi, mRNA technologies, or related modalities a plus
Experience drafting and prosecuting patent applications in the biotechnology, pharmaceutical, chemical, or life sciences fields.
Experience preparing responses to U.S. patent office actions.
Familiarity with foreign patent prosecution practice, including working with outside counsel or foreign associates.
Experience conducting patentability, prior art, landscape, freedom-to-operate, or competitive intelligence searches.
Strong scientific judgment and ability to understand complex biological, chemical, and therapeutic technologies.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Strong attention to detail, organizational skills, and ability to manage multiple deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
Ability to work collaboratively with scientists, lawyers, business colleagues, and outside counsel.

Location(s):
Stoke is located in Bedford, MA, and will be moving to a new location in Waltham, MA by the end of 2026. This position is a hybrid position, with 3+ days a week required onsite currently in our Bedford office and will later be at our new Waltham office.

Travel:
This position will require approximately 5% travel.