Patent Attorney (Director, Legal)

MSD; Greater London; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading biopharmaceutical company seeks a skilled Patent Attorney in Greater London. This role involves filing and prosecuting patent applications, representing the company before the EPO, and conducting Freedom to Operate assessments. Candidates should have a degree in pharmaceutical or biological sciences and 5 years' experience in patent law. The position offers exposure to diverse therapeutic areas while contributing to global medical advancements. Applications close on 31st October 2025.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of experience in private practice or corporate setup in patent law.
• Expertise in EPO opposition proceedings and large-molecule patent applications.
• Experience in conducting Freedom to Operate assessments.

Responsibilities

• File and prosecute patent applications before the EPO.
• Represent the company in EPO oppositions and oral proceedings.
• Conduct intellectual property due diligence for corporate transactions.

Skills

Excellent communication skills

Analytical skills

Ability to manage multiple projects

Cross-functional teamwork

Proactive initiative

Education

Degree in pharmaceutical or biological sciences

Qualified as a European Patent Attorney

Job description

Job Description

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‑molecule) discovery and development programmes 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 programmes 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.

Role responsibilities include

• 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 opposition where we are 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 diligence 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 counselling services that are consistent with law and company policies, furthering business objectives and appropriately balancing divisional/functional/corporate business objectives and legal risks.
• Exercising judgement 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

Education

• Degree in pharmaceutical or biological sciences from an accredited institution.
• Qualified as a European Patent Attorney 1 year ago and qualified or intending to qualify as a Chartered Patent Attorney.

Required Experience

• 5 years experience in private practice or a corporate setting practising 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

• 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 counselling clients on intellectual property issues.

Skills / Competencies

• Excellent communication and analytical skills.
• Experience 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 are counting on your skills and expertise to help make meaningful contributions to global medical advancement.

We are proud to be a company that embraces the value of bringing diverse, talented and committed people 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. (Position no longer accepting applications).