Description:
Job Summary:Akebia is seeking an experienced intellectual property lawyer to join its high performing team, head its intellectual property function and manage a multitude of complex intellectual property-related matters for the company. Reporting to the Chief Legal Officer, the successful candidate will be both a strategic business partner and positive cultural leader. This position will be based in Cambridge/Waltham, MA and work closely with the research and development (R&D) and chemistry manufacturing and controls (CMC) teams to identify new patent opportunities and develop and execute corresponding patent portfolio strategies. The Vice President, Intellectual Property will also counsel colleagues in matters related to patent portfolio and strategy, support due diligence efforts for evaluation of new in-licensing opportunities, and manage any intellectual property litigation matters.
Essential Functions and Duties
- Responsible for the development and execution of the IP strategy and serve as the key advisor on intellectual property matters impacting the business
- Collaborate with Akebia's R&D and CMC teams to prepare, file and prosecute patent applications
- Advise the Chief Legal Officer, Executive Leadership Team and Board of Directors regarding intellectual property matters
- Develop intellectual property strategies for Akebia's product candidates
- Work closely with Akebia's collaboration partners on patent matters
- Support business development efforts and lead IP due diligence work
- Negotiate, and assist in drafting intellectual property provisions in agreements and advise the business on related intellectual property risks
- Manage and direct outside counsel in intellectual property patent preparation and prosecution, litigation matters, and other intellectual property matters in a cost-effective manner
- Monitor the competitive patent landscape for potential risks and opportunities
Skills and Experience:
The ideal candidate for the position of Vice President, Intellectual Property will have the following qualifications:
- Basic Qualifications:
- J.D. and admission to the Patent Bar
- PhD in Organic Chemistry or Biology (or similar discipline)
- Small molecule and/or biologic patent experience
- Strong litigation experience
- At least 10 years of experience in law firm or in-house biopharmaceutical company settings
- Ability to build strong relationships across functions
- Excellent interpersonal, decision-making, organizational and communication skills
Preferred Qualifications:
- In-house experience with biopharmaceutical companies is a plus
- Strong organizational and project management skills with an ability to handle multiple tasks and quickly and effectively prioritize and make decisions
- Ability to think strategically and communicate complex concepts in ways that are understood and actionable by cross-functional teams
- Strong attention to detail and proactive approach
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Confident, pragmatic, approachable and solution-oriented
- Comfortable in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment
- Self-motivated and able to perform role independently, with a minimum level of supervision.
