IP Counsel – Large Corporation – St. Louis, Mo.

Covidien Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals is seeking an IP Counsel to join its intellectual property team at the company’s headquarters location in Hazelwood, Missouri. This person will provide a broad range of IP support for product lines that may include branded pharmaceuticals, generic pharmaceuticals, active pharmaceutical ingredients, contrast media, nuclear medicine, and medical devices.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
1.Evaluation of patentability and business needs
2.Preparation of patent applications
3.Prosecution of patent applications
4.Client counseling on a wide variety of IP matters
5.Participation in the product development teams
6.Supervision of outside counsel
7.Preparation of freedom-to-practice opinions
8.Preparation and negotiation of IP agreements
9.Participation in the IP aspects of acquisitions and divestitures

DEPARTMENT SPECIFIC/NON-ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
Other duties as assigned with or without accommodation.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:
Education required/ preferred:
Degree in chemistry, biochemistry, chemical engineering, biology, pharmacy, or a related field
JD degree
Admission to a state bar
Eligible for admission in Missouri (eventual admission in Missouri will be required)
Admitted to practice before the USPTO

Experience:
3-5 years in a corporate IP department or law firm
Substantial experience drafting and prosecuting patent applications in the chemical, biological, pharmaceutical, or medical device arts

Preferred Skills/Qualifications:
A background in organic chemistry, including organic synthesis
Experience with the Hatch-Waxman act
Experience preparing freedom to practice opinions
Familiarity with the design, evaluation, manufacture, and marketing of pharmaceuticals
Familiarity with FDA regulatory issues

Skills/Competencies:
Ability to work accurately with minimal supervision
Excellent interpersonal skills

Other Skills:
Ability to learn on the fly
Strong organizational skills
Strong verbal and written communication skills
Confident in ability to make sound decisions
High level of professionalism

ORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS/SCOPE:
This position reports to the VP of Intellectual Property within the Legal Department. This position has no direct reports.

WORKING CONDITIONS:
Typical office working environment.

DISCLAIMER:
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of employees assigned to this position.

Contact:
Apply online at: http://careers.covidien.com.

Additional Info:
Employer Type: Large Corporation
Job Location: St. Louis, Missouri

Job Description Covidien is a leading global healthcare products company that creates innovative medical solutions for better patient outcomes and delivers value through clinical leadership and excellence. Covidien manufactures, distributes and services a diverse range of industry-leading product lines in three segments: Medical Devices, Pharmaceuticals and Medical Supplies. With 2011 revenue of $11.6 billion, Covidien has 41,000 employees worldwide in more than 65 countries, and its products are sold in over 140 countries. Please visit http://www.covidien.com to learn more about our business.

Founded as Mallinckrodt in 1867, the $2 billion Covidien pharmaceutical segment is in the process of spinning off into a separate business. This creates exciting opportunities to grow your career within an established organization that is soon to be an independent public company. Currently, the Company expects that the spinoff process will be completed in mid-2013. While we are undergoing the process, the pharmaceuticals business remains a segment of Covidien, and will continue to operate according to the Company’s strategic plan, focusing on our customers and patients who rely on our products. Equally important, pharmaceuticals’ mission remains the same: To make diagnostics and medicines better and safer for you and your family.