Legal Associate P1

ProClinical; Bracknell; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

Proclinical in the United Kingdom seeks a Legal Associate to manage European patent portfolios for the pharmaceutical sector on a 12-month contract. You will oversee docketing, deadlines, and lifecycle tasks across EPO processes, coordinating with internal attorneys and external firms.

The role requires experience as a European patent paralegal or IP support, familiarity with EPC procedures, and knowledge of US, PCT, and national phase filings.

Qualifications

• Experience in a European patent paralegal or IP support role.
• Familiarity with EPO procedural rules under the EPC.
• Knowledge of US, PCT, and national phase filings.
• Pharmaceutical/biotech industry experience advantageous.
• Proficiency in IP docketing systems; Anaqua experience a plus.

Responsibilities

• Review and docket incoming European correspondence, ensuring deadlines and required actions are accurately recorded in the Anaqua system.
• Monitor EPO and internal deadlines across the European patent lifecycle, including prosecution, grant, opposition, and validation.
• Collaborate with internal patent attorneys and external European law firms to progress filings and related actions.
• Prepare and file documents via EPO Online Filing 2.0 and MyEPO, supporting oppositions and other EPO proceedings by preparing procedural documentation.
• Assist with SPC and PTE tracking and lifecycle management, as applicable.

Skills

European IP paralegal

Anaqua

MyEPO

EPO Online Filing 2.0

Tools

Anaqua

MyEPO

EPO Online Filing 2.0

Job description

Ready to play a pivotal role in managing high-value European patent portfolios within the pharmaceutical industry?

Proclinical is seeking a Legal Associate to join a dynamic team in the UK, on a 12-month contract. This role focuses on providing specialized support for European patent processes within the pharmaceutical industry. You will play a key role in managing the full lifecycle of European patents, ensuring compliance with procedural requirements and internal policies.

Responsibilities:

• Review and docket incoming European correspondence, ensuring deadlines and required actions are accurately recorded in the Anaqua system.
• Monitor EPO and internal deadlines across the European patent lifecycle, including prosecution, grant, opposition, and validation.
• Collaborate with internal patent attorneys and external European law firms to progress filings and related actions.
• Prepare and file documents via EPO Online Filing 2.0 and MyEPO, supporting oppositions and other EPO proceedings by preparing procedural documentation.
• Assist with Supplementary Protection Certificate (SPC) and Patent Term Extension (PTE) tracking and lifecycle management, as applicable.

Key Skills and Requirements:

• Experience in a European patent paralegal or equivalent intellectual property (IP) support role.
• Familiarity with European Patent Office (EPO) procedural rules under the European Patent Convention (EPC).
• Knowledge of global patent landscapes, including United States, PCT, and national phase filings.
• Experience in the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry, with an understanding of the SPC-PTE process being advantageous.
• Proficiency in IP docketing systems, with experience in Anaqua being a plus.
• Skilled in using MyEPO and EPO Online Filing 2.0.
• Strong attention to detail, excellent reading comprehension, and proofreading skills.
• Ability to manage large IP portfolios in a fast-paced environment, prioritize competing deadlines, and escalated risks effectively.