Closing Date: 14th January, 2025
Description:
Job Description:Gilead Sciences, Inc. is a research-based biopharmaceutical company founded in 1987. Together we deliver life-saving therapies to patients in need. With the commitment and drive you bring to the workplace every day, you will be part of a team that is changing the world and helping millions of people live healthier, more fulfilling lives. Our worldwide staff is a close community where you can see the tangible results of your contributions, where every individual matters, and everyone has a chance to enhance their skills through ongoing development. Our scientific focus has resulted in marketed products that are benefiting millions of people, a pipeline of late-stage drug candidates, and unmatched patient access programs to ensure medications are available to those who could otherwise not afford them. By joining Gilead, you will further our mission to address unmet medical needs and improve life by advancing the care of patients with life-threatening diseases.
Sr Counsel II, Intellectual Property
This role is responsible for developing and implementing comprehensive patent portfolio strategies across Gilead's therapeutic areas, focusing on small molecule therapeutics. The Patent Counsel will advise research teams and management regarding risks and opportunities related to Gilead's intellectual property. As a member of Gilead's patent prosecution team, the Patent Counsel 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, in accordance with Gilead's Core Values and Leadership Commitments.
Specific Responsibilities and Skills:
The ideal candidate will have a minimum of 4 years of experience with global patent prosecution and patent application drafting, preferably organic chemistry, pharmaceuticals, or biotechnology. The ideal candidate will also have experience performing landscape and FTO (freedom to operate) analysis. Proven ability to manage small molecule patent application drafting and prosecution is required. The ability to manage drafting or prosecution across different therapeutic modalities is a plus. Experience with IP transactions is also a plus. The successful candidate is expected to demonstrate initiative and sound judgment and to have a service-oriented focus. The successful candidate will demonstrate Gilead's Core Values and Leadership Commitments through their work. The ability to proactively identify IP-related issues potentially impacting the business and to work cross-functionally to devise and communicate clear advice is essential. The successful candidate will be a part of the product attorney group reporting to a senior member of the patent prosecution team. Specific responsibilities will include:
- Oversee and develop patent portfolios to protect Gilead's product pipeline with a focus on small molecule therapeutics.
- Draft and prosecute patent applications in U.S. and foreign patent offices.
- Effectively supervise and manage activities of outside counsels.
- Advise non-legal colleagues regarding patent strategy and identification of patentable inventions.
- Conduct, and counsel cross-functional research teams on, FTO and patent landscape searches and analyses.
- Review and assist in the drafting and negotiation 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.
- Prepare and conduct presentations to a variety of audiences on IP topics.
- Assist with procuring and/or advising on regulatory exclusivities and data protection.
- Bachelor's degree in chemistry, biochemistry or related sciences, degree in organic chemistry is preferred and advanced degree is a plus.
- Requires a Juris Doctorate from an accredited law school and admission before a State bar.
- Admission to practice before the USPTO.
- Minimum of 10 years of law firm or in-house relevant experience.
- 4+ years of experience preparing and prosecuting patent applications in a law firm or in house, with considerable focus on small molecule therapeutics.
- Experience with FTO and patent landscape analysis.
- Must have excellent written and verbal communications skills.
- Must have strong client service orientation.
- Must have strong commitment to integrity, teamwork, excellence, inclusion, and accountability.
- Must possess the ability to work well with others in a team setting.
- Organizational skills, exceptional time management and attention to detail are a must.
