Description:
About the role:Sana Biotechnology is growing, and we are hiring new team members who believe in the potential of engineered cells as medicines, who want to challenge the status quo, and who lead with the desire to work on novel ideas. As a Senior Director you will assist in the implementation of the company's intellectual property strategy in the cell and gene therapy space, as well as counsel clients, manage patent drafting and prosecution, and assist in patent landscape activities, review publications and support business activities as needed. The Senior Director will be an integral working partner with the company's research and development (R&D) organization.
What You'll Do:
- Partner with R&D to develop a deep understanding of the science and technologies at Sana, including work in cutting edge technologies in the cell therapy space
- Be the responsible lead IP attorney for certain pre-clinical and clinical programs and leverage knowledge about Sana's science and technologies to develop patent portfolio strategies
- Partner with R&D to identify patentable subject matter and implement patent protection strategies, including drafting, filing and prosecuting patent applications
- Conduct or direct patent landscape overviews, freedom-to-operate analyses, validity assessments and patentability assessments
- Advise and provide guidance to senior managers on IP-related issues
- Develop IP policies and provide IP-related education to the company
- Provide direction, strategy, and/or support for third-party IP issues, as needs arise (e.g., oppositions, third-party observations, inter party reviews, litigation, etc.)
- Manage external relationships with outside counsel and collaborators
- Work on additional legal projects, as needed
What We're Looking For:
- Bachelors plus at least 12 yrs or equivalent combination of relevant education and experience
- J.D. degree
- Membership in at least one state bar
- Admitted to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
- 5+ years experience in patent drafting and prosecution, including global portfolios
- Experience managing high-volume intellectual property workflow
- Intense commitment to high moral standards and business ethics
- Strong collaborator who can work successfully and build relationships with internal legal colleagues, internal stakeholders, and external parties to achieve business goals
- Excellent oral and written communication skills, articulate, direct and forthright
- Be part of a team of business focused, creative, and strategic thinkers with broad perspectives
- Strong organizational and administrative skills
- Must have attention to detail and excellent drafting skills
- Strong ability to adapt to changes and be agile
- Ph.D. degree in biochemistry, biology, immunology, or another technical field relevant to the biotech industry
- Experience managing intellectual property for cellular therapies
- Experience both in the law firm and in-house legal department settings
What you should know:
- The base pay range for this position at commencement of employment is expected to be between $275,000 and $325,000/year for Senior Director; however, base pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including market location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience
- Lead from every seat – we seek to understand, act with honesty, and engage in the crucial conversations
- Thrive as a team – we hire amazing people, are intensely curious, and cultivate inclusion and personal connectivity
- Make it happen – we value vigorous debate, alignment around our decisions, and resilient execution
