Counsel (Patents)

GSK; Stevenage; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a motivated Patent Attorney to provide quality patent support for lower complexity projects. In this dynamic role, you will utilize your developing knowledge of patent law and relevant science to offer strategic IP advice, engage with patent offices, and contribute to the development of patent portfolios. This position emphasizes teamwork, effective communication, and analytical skills, allowing you to work closely with senior attorneys and project teams. Join a collaborative environment where your contributions will help shape the future of intellectual property within the organization.

Qualifications

• Developing knowledge of patent law and science, effective communication with patent offices.
• Excellent analytical skills to propose solutions for patent law issues.

Responsibilities

• Provide patent support for projects, ensuring quality and quantity.
• Communicate with patent offices and project teams, offering strategic IP advice.

Skills

Patent Law Knowledge

Analytical Skills

Communication Skills

Problem-Solving Skills

Education

Qualified Patent Attorney

Job description

This role is accountable for providing quality patent support autonomously to projects of lower complexity, utilizing a developing, working knowledge of patent law and relevant science. The role can include more complex matters under the supervision of their line manager. The role will report to a VP or Team Leader. In this role you will produce quality IP work on various projects or platforms with supervision from the line manager or Business Area Head (BA Head). Follows departmental guidance on best practice.

Key Responsibilities

1. Accountable for patent support for lower complexity projects or platforms showing good execution in terms of both quality and quantity, but also capable of handling more complex matters with support or supervision from more senior attorneys or the BA Head.
2. Builds portfolios worldwide, understands the need for conversations regarding the interplay between patents and non-patent exclusivity, identifies FTO issues and complex third-party situations. Applies scientific and legal knowledge to make decisions on the development of IP portfolios and strategies with supervision from line manager and input of BA Head.
3. Provides legal advice by proposing creative strategic IP advice on projects to the line manager and BA head, then communicating with R&D. Communicates directly with patent offices, foreign agents, and internally at project teams and with other attorneys in IP. Makes connections between different project teams and within the department through an awareness of GSK's business structure and needs, with the supervision of line manager/BA Head.
4. Makes detailed analyses of competitor and prior art issues to develop patent portfolios that optimize GSK’s return on investment while minimizing risk, working closely with the BA Head.
5. Stays updated with developing case law and applies it to drafting and prosecution practices, actively participates in departmental current awareness meetings.
6. Works as part of a team for oppositions, litigation, or IPRs.
7. Provides IP support to Business Development and Legal for both in and out-licensing opportunities with supervision from line manager or BA Head. For attorneys in the Pharma space, this includes building a good understanding of Loss of Exclusivity calculations for Business Development opportunities. For attorneys in the Vaccines space, this includes building a good understanding of the strategic value of patents in relation to Business Development opportunities. Attorneys will be working closely with a more senior attorney, and able to articulate these concepts clearly to BD and Legal teams.
8. Participates in Global Patents teams, project teams and departmental initiatives.

Qualifications & Background Skills:

1. Patent attorneys in this role will be qualified in the jurisdiction in which they are practicing (either EP plus national or US).
2. This role requires a developing working knowledge of patent law and relevant science and an ability to converse fluently with scientists and understand data. The individual will have (or if new to GSK develop) an awareness of GSK’s overall business structure and priorities.
3. This role requires effective communication with patent offices, foreign agents, in project teams and internal Global Patents meetings and with external collaborators. The individual will have clear and concise written and oral communication skills and the ability to translate complex matters into simple terms for a wide variety of audiences.
4. Individuals will demonstrate excellent analytical and resolution skills to propose solutions for patent law issues to maximize IP protection and minimize risk. Able to proactively propose solutions and develop strategy for individual projects of low complexity/impact and can work on projects of higher complexity/impact with supervision of line manager/BA Head. Aware of roles within Global Patents and the business, where to seek information and who needs to see information, particularly in the subject matter area of practice.

Preferred Qualifications & Skills:

1. In this role the individual will acquire and share knowledge of best practice and current trends in science and law in their area of practice.
2. Individuals working at this level will hold self and others accountable for commitments, make appropriate decisions and recognize when escalation is needed, primarily focused on their own work.
3. This role requires teamwork: an understanding of how their work contributes to company priorities and an ability to work as an integral part of a team.