Patent Attorney (Director, Legal)

Merck; City Of London; Hybrid; GBP 75,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

A global pharmaceutical company in London seeks a skilled Patent Attorney to manage patent applications, support EPO oppositions, and engage in freedom to operate assessments. Ideal candidates will have a degree in biological sciences, 5+ years of experience in patent law, and a proactive approach to legal strategies. This role offers a hybrid work format and significant interaction with R&D and legal teams.

Qualifications

• Qualified as a European Patent Attorney 1+ years ago, and qualified or intending to qualify as a Chartered Patent Attorney.
• 5+ years’ experience in private practice or a corporate setting, practicing in the patent area.
• Expertise in filing and prosecuting biologic/vaccine patent applications at the EPO.

Responsibilities

• Filing and prosecuting patent applications before the EPO.
• Representing our company in EPO oppositions.
• Conducting freedom to operate assessments.

Skills

Biological Sciences

Patent Analysis

Communication

Education

Degree in pharmaceutical or biological sciences

Job description

Overview

Are you interested in the intersection of scientific innovation and law, especially how to efficiently capture innovation with intellectual property, assert and defend patent rights, incentivize continued R&D and drive access to life-saving medicines for patients?

If so, the Patent Attorney role at our company could be an ideal opportunity for you. We are looking for a highly motivated and skilled individual to join our in-house patent team in Moorgate, London.

In this role, you will provide European patent support for our company’s biologic/vaccine (large molecules) discovery and development programs in our Human Health division. You will conduct patentability assessments, file and prosecute European patent applications and Supplementary Protection Certificates (SPCs), carry out freedom to operate assessments, participate in and support oppositions before the European Patent Office (EPO) and support national/regional litigation in Europe.

The position will also support programs in diverse areas, including different therapeutic areas and modalities. This role also provides exposure to and interaction with major areas of the business including discovery, development, manufacturing and supply, regulatory, business development, commercial groups, and other legal functions.

You will report to the Head of European Patents and work with a team of three other European Patent Attorneys and five support staff. You will be part of a wider Intellectual Property Department that is located in Rahway, New Jersey, Boston, Massachusetts and Boxmeer, The Netherlands.

Responsibilities

• Filing and prosecuting patent applications before the EPO on inventions relating to our company’s products, product candidates and platform technologies
• Representing our company in EPO oppositions, including supporting any EPO oppositions where we are being represented by outside counsel
• Representing our company in oral proceedings before the EPO
• Filing and prosecuting SPC applications across Europe
• Devising a patenting strategy for Europe with the goal of building robust portfolios of intellectual property for cutting-edge biopharmaceutical products
• Conducting intellectual property due diligences for various types of corporate transactions, including research collaborations and acquisitions
• Carrying out Freedom to Operate assessments
• Providing support for national/regional patent litigation in Europe
• Working with a large team of in-house U.S. and European patent attorneys, paralegals, legal operations and support staff, and local agents
• Providing legal counseling services that are consistent with law and Company policies, furthering business objectives and appropriately balancing divisional/functional/corporate business objectives and legal risks
• Exercising judgment to drive decisions on routine and non-routine matters within areas of practice
• Supervising activities and managing relationships with outside counsel

Qualifications, Skills & Experience Required

• Degree in the pharmaceutical or biological sciences from an accredited institution
• Qualified as a European Patent Attorney 1+ years ago, and qualified or intending to qualify as a Chartered Patent Attorney
• 5+ years’ experience in private practice or a corporate setting, practicing in the patent area
• Expertise in filing and prosecuting biologic/vaccine (large molecule) patent applications at the EPO
• Expertise in EPO opposition proceedings
• Experience in carrying out freedom to operate assessments
• Strong legal and technical background

Preferred

• Experience in filing and prosecuting SPC applications across Europe
• Expertise in Regulatory exclusivities for medicines in Europe
• Experience in supporting national/regional litigation
• Experience in counseling clients on intellectual property issues

Skills/Competencies

• Excellent communication and analytical skills
• Experience in managing a significant workload, with the ability to juggle multiple projects simultaneously
• Ability to work in cross-functional teams
• Ability to communicate competently and confidently with R&D clients, business partners, and senior leaders
• Ability to be proactive and take initiative

Your role at our company is integral to helping the world meet new breakthroughs that affect generations to come, and we’re counting on your skills and expertise to help make meaningful contributions to global medical advancement. At our company, we’re inventing for life.

We are proud to be a company that embraces the value of bringing diverse, talented, and committed people together. The fastest way to breakthrough innovation is when ideas come together in an inclusive environment. We encourage our colleagues to respectfully challenge one another’s thinking and approach problems collectively for the common good. We are an equal opportunity employer, committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace.

Closing date for applications: 31st October 2025

Required Skills:

Biological Sciences, Biological Sciences, Business Development, Client Counseling, Commercial Transactions, Confidentiality, Cross-Cultural Awareness, Detail-Oriented, Exercises Judgment, Filing Documents, Intellectual Property Counseling, Intellectual Property Law, Intellectual Property Management, Intellectual Property Portfolio Management, Legal Administration, Legal Document Preparation, Legal Research, Legal Strategies, Medical Practice Operations, Negotiation, Patent Analysis, Patent Applications, Patent Examination, Patent Preparation, Patent Prosecution

Preferred Skills:

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Current Contingent Workers apply HERE

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Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA, also known as Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC, Rahway, NJ, USA, does not accept unsolicited assistance from search firms for employment opportunities. All CVs / resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at our company without a valid written search agreement in place for this position will be deemed the sole property of our company. No fee will be paid in the event a candidate is hired by our company as a result of an agency referral where no pre-existing agreement is in place. Where agency agreements are in place, introductions are position specific. Please, no phone calls or emails.

Employee Status: Regular

Relocation:

VISA Sponsorship:

Travel Requirements:

Flexible Work Arrangements: Hybrid

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Job Posting End Date: 11/1/2025

A job posting is effective until the day before the listed job posting end date.