Senior IP Counsel

Abcam; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 75,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading life sciences company in Cambridge is seeking a Senior IP Counsel to develop and implement an intellectual property strategy. Responsibilities include evaluating legal factors, negotiating legal agreements, and collaborating with various teams. Candidates should have a degree in a relevant scientific field and experience in IP within life sciences. A competitive salary and flexible benefits package are provided.

Benefits

Flexible benefits package

18 weeks fully paid maternity leave

6 weeks fully paid paternity leave

Highly flexible working

Qualifications

• Expertise in evaluating legal and business factors in IP strategy.
• Experience working in life sciences/biotechnology space.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute an intellectual property strategy.
• Collaborate with various departments within the organization.
• Perform due diligence and freedom to operate analysis.
• Negotiate and draft various legal agreements.
• Manage adverse third-party IP proceedings.

Skills

Intellectual property legal experience

Strong communication skills

Ability to prioritize workload

Experience with international law

Education

Degree in biological science, chemistry, pharmacy, or relevant field

Qualified UK Solicitor specialising in IP

Qualified European Patent Attorney

US JD with active bar membership

Job description

Company Description

For over 20 years, abcam has been providing tools the scientific community needs to enable faster breakthroughs in critical areas like cancer, neurological disorders, infectious diseases, and metabolic disorders.

Abcam is now proud to work alongside a community of nine fellow Danaher Life Sciences companies. Together, we’re pioneering the future of science and medicine, developing products that enable researchers in the fight to save lives.

Job Description

As Senior IP Counsel, you will be responsible for developing, implementing, and executing an intellectual property strategy to support our expanding global business. You will develop an in-depth expertise and understanding of Abcam’s intellectual property, products, and business and will possess the ability to evaluate and balance both legal and business factors when providing legal advice. You will collaborate directly with members of Abcam’s legal department, business leadership, R&D, and marketing, as well as working in a matrixed organization supporting Danaher’s Life Sciences Innovation Group. You will perform a wide variety of hands‑on intellectual property work, including white space/competitor analysis, product protection strategy, FTO, licensing, and acquisition of technology rights. In addition, you will be expected to understand the importance of operating with a global mindset and model global and cultural sensitivity.

In this role, you will have the opportunity to :

• Maintain a solid understanding of Abcam’s business; technology and overall strategy in order to establish and implement a complementary intellectual property strategy.
• Build Abcam’s IP budget, preparing for and attending strategy meetings, and conducting Abcam’s Patent Review Board meeting.
• Develop and curate a strategic, global intellectual property portfolio (including patents, copyrights, trademarks, and trade secrets) in support of both Abcam’s and Danaher’s business strategy.
• Perform due diligence and freedom to operate analysis for new technologies and products.
• Negotiate, draft and review agreements such as supply agreements, licenses, research agreements, development agreements, confidentiality agreements and material transfer agreements.
• Conduct, advise and manage activities surrounding adversarial proceedings for third‑party IP, including IP litigation, European oppositions and U.S. IPRs, in collaboration with both Danaher counsel and outside counsel.
• Provide legal advice and counsel to R&D and business personnel on a variety of IP related matters.

Qualifications

Experience

• A degree (or advanced degree) in a biological science, chemistry, pharmacy, or other field relevant to genomic medicine.
• Qualified UK Solicitor specialising in IP; Qualified European Patent Attorney; OR US JD with active bar membership and admitted to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office – all with experience of working within the life sciences/biotechnology space.

Skills

• A strong experience of intellectual property legal experience in‑house at a company or a combination of law firm and in‑house experience.
• Experience with nuances of international law (via local counsel) preferred.
• Strong communication skills; able to work and communicate effectively with all levels of employees and management.
• Has a track record for delivering results, taking ownership and being accountable.
• Ability to prioritize workload, goals, and tasks consistent with the department and corporate objectives. Ability to take direction from multiple sources and manage conflicting priorities in an effective and efficient manner.

Additional Information

We know that when it comes to benefits, no one size fits all. Flexibility and choice matter which is why, in addition to market competitive salaries, we offer you a flexible benefits package which is tailored to your unique needs and supports your financial, physical and emotional wellbeing. This includes 18 weeks fully paid maternity leave, 6 weeks fully paid paternity leave as well as highly flexible working and much more. Besides, your development will be integral to your experience here. You will grow alongside other talented minds, in ways you may often find unexpected.

When people come together, incredible things happen. Here you’ll work in a safe environment where you can be who you truly are. We’ll champion and celebrate your uniqueness throughout your journey with us. This is how we excel at partnering with the scientific community no matter the challenge, ultimately helping solve the world’s most critical diseases. Find out more about Diversity & Inclusion at Abcam.