Description:
The Senior Patent Agent is responsible for partnering with R&D, manufacturing, and other business and legal stakeholders to develop and execute strategies to protect and perfect Cepheid's intellectual property. The role will help encourage and sustain innovation across Cepheid.This position reports to the Deputy Chief IP Counsel and is part of the legal department and will be fully remote based in the US.
In this role, you will have the opportunity to:
- Integrate with R&D teams to learn about our molecular diagnostic technologies and manufacturing processes and identify key IP opportunities while enabling innovative protection strategies.
- Provide a full range of patent support functions, including drafting and prosecuting patent applications in the molecular diagnostics space, biochemistry, conducting freedom-to-operate studies (e.g., infringement and validity analyses), and advising internal stakeholders, including providing IP diligence for M&A and related activities.
- Direct outside counsel on global patent filing and prosecution matters.
- Prepare and present training materials to business stakeholders to bolster invention disclosure, trade secret protection, and intellectual property protection efforts.
- As a member of the IP team within Cepheid's legal team, manage and/or participate in projects impacting Cepheid as a whole.
The essential requirements of the job include:
- Registered to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office as a Patent Agent, with hands-on experience in patent preparation and prosecution in the molecular biology or life sciences field.
- At least 4 years of patent prosecution experience in the life sciences field, preferably in molecular biology, biochemistry, molecular diagnostics, or related disciplines, gained in a law firm, patent boutique, and/or in-house setting.
- A bachelor's degree in molecular biology, biochemistry, biology, genetics, or a closely related life sciences discipline, with preference for an advanced degree (M.S. or Ph.D.) in molecular biology or a related field.
Travel, Motor Vehicle Record & Physical/Environment Requirements: if applicable for role
May require occasional domestic travel for in-person meetings and events up to 5% of the time
It would be a plus if you also possess previous experience in:
- Deep technical understanding of molecular biology techniques (e.g., PCR, nucleic acid amplification, and next gen sequencing) and the ability to translate complex science into clear patent claims.
- Artificial intelligence/machine learning, including the use of AI tools in IP practice (search/claim and application drafting/claim charting/office action response, etc.) and the application within bioinformatics, data analytics, genomics and molecular diagnostics.
- Ability to think creatively, devise patent strategies for novel inventions, effectively drive IP issues to closure; self-directed and proactive with excellent writing, communication, organizational, problem-solving, and analytical skills.