Senior Patent Attorney/Patent Attorney – Large Corporation – Gaithersburg, MD

AstraZeneca is a global, science-led, patient-focused biopharmaceutical company that focuses on the discovery, development and commercialization of prescription medicines for some of the world’s most serious disease. But we’re more than one of the world’s leading pharmaceutical companies. As AstraZeneca transforms and grows, so do our careers. We’re constantly learning more about the innovative and technical side of our work.

We are looking for experienced Senior Patent/Patent Attorney’s to help turn those ideas into reality. Taking on a role that bridges science and legal practice, you’ll be a global business IP advisor. This will entail managing patent portfolios for assigned projects and products, and keeping up to date with emerging legal and pharma developments to help set and implement the global IP strategy in your area in collaboration with the Assistant General Counsel. Key objectives will be to identify and manage all associated IP risks – presenting them to IP, legal and business teams. You’ll craft strategies for the filing, prosecution, maintenance and defense of patents in your portfolio against third-party challenges. You may also work on business development deals or coordinate our response to legal changes in a particular country or region. Managing external spend to meet budget targets will also be part of your role.

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

  • Independently lead all aspects of build, maintenance and defense of specific patent portfolios
  • Actively counsel members of Research & Development organizations to identify new inventions as well as devise and implement strategies for patent protection over the extended drug development life cycle
  • Build and implement global strategic approaches toward building patent portfolios and contributing to increased business value
  • Prepare and prosecute patent applications worldwide including effectively managing outside counsel as needed
  • Lead all aspects of large intellectual property estates in AstraZeneca`s core and opportunistic therapeutic areas
  • Evaluate and monitor patent portfolios of third parties
  • Develop and communicate IP guidance to partners across the business, including within R&D, Business Development, commercial and legal
  • Review and analyze license agreements and other contracts
  • Provide IP and technical analysis in support of patent litigation

Essential Requirements:

  • Licensed US Attorney
  • Ph.D. or equivalent, and/or several years of laboratory experience in relevant scientific area, chemistry, biology/biochemistry preferred
  • Strong core small molecule/large molecule patent prosecution skills and ability to independently lead patent dockets and portfolios in multiple markets and jurisdictions

Desirable Requirements:

  • At least three-five years relevant experience in life science patent prosecution with global portfolios
  • Experience in the biotech and/or pharmaceutical industry
  • Combined in-house and law firm experience preferred
  • Experience in managing external service providers
  • First-hand experience of IP-related litigation
  • High level of integrity and motivation, ability to work independently
  • Ability to balance multiple tasks and projects with constantly evolving priorities
  • Outstanding organizational skills and attention to detail
  • Effective oral and written communication skills
  • Effective time management skills
  • Adaptable and versatile learner
  • Ability to be an enterprise leader for the organization

At AstraZeneca when we see an opportunity for change, we seize it and make it happen, because any opportunity no matter how small, can be the start of something big. Delivering life-changing medicines is about being entrepreneurial - finding those moments and recognizing their potential. Join us while we continue to build a new kind of organization to reset expectations of what a bio-pharmaceutical company can be. This means we are developing new ways to work, ground breaking methods, and bringing unexpected teams together. Interested? Come and join our team!

Apply via email to:
paul.parra@astrazeneca.com

Additional Info
Employer Type: Large Corporation
Job Location: Gaithersburg, MD