Assistant Director, Patent Agent

Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc.; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Excellent benefits package

Job summary

Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. in Boston seeks a Patent Agent to support global patent portfolios for RNA- and DNA-targeted technologies.

You will work closely with senior counsel, scientists and cross-functional teams to identify inventions, draft applications, and manage prosecution. The role requires USPTO registration, a biology/biochemistry background, and 3–5 years of patent experience in pharma or biotech.

Qualifications

• Must be registered to practice before the USPTO.
• Degree in biology, biochemistry, or related field; an advanced scientific degree is preferred but not required.
• Approximately 3-5 years of relevant patent experience, preferably in pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, or pharmacy; law firm, in-house, US, and international patent experience will be considered.
• Demonstrated experience drafting patent applications and claims and managing or supporting patent prosecution.
• Ability to manage a focused docket, prioritize competing assignments, and meet deadlines with appropriate supervision and escalation.
• Strong patent searching, legal research, analytical, and writing skills, with the ability to translate complex scientific and legal information into concise, practical work product; legal education or demonstrated experience analyzing legal issues is preferred but not required.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including proficiency in preparing polished PowerPoint presentations and other executive-ready materials; sound judgment, discretion, and a high degree of professionalism.
• Strong interpersonal skills, curiosity, and adaptability, with the ability to collaborate effectively across legal, scientific, and business teams and a willingness to learn Ionis technology and priorities.

Responsibilities

• Manage a focused docket of US and international patent matters, including monitoring deadlines, coordinating filings, preparing instructions to outside counsel and foreign associates, and maintaining status information.
• Draft high-quality provisional, nonprovisional, and PCT patent applications relating to pharmaceutical and biotechnology inventions, with guidance and review from senior patent counsel.
• Prepare claims, amendments, Office Action responses, and related prosecution materials; analyze prior art and examiner positions; and recommend practical prosecution approaches.
• Partner with scientists and senior counsel to identify patentable inventions, obtain and organize supporting information, and develop appropriate filing strategies.
• Conduct patentability, landscape, freedom-to-operate, competitive intelligence, and legal research, and provide concise analyses and recommendations.
• Assist senior patent counsel and outside litigation counsel with patent litigation and other contentious matters, including legal and factual research, claim charts, document review, chronologies, discovery support, and preparation of briefing and presentation materials.
• Review scientific publications, abstracts, posters, presentations, and manuscripts for patent‑related issues and assist with publication clearance.
• Prepare polished PowerPoint presentations, briefing materials, tables, timelines, meeting summaries, talking points, emails, and other correspondence; track decisions and follow‑up items.
• Support patent portfolio reviews, due diligence, collaborations and licenses, exclusivity analyses, and other matters involving clinical or commercial products.
• Contribute to IP department processes, knowledge resources, and special projects, and perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

USPTO registration

Patent drafting

Legal research

Technical writing

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Biology or Biochemistry degree

Advanced degree preferred

Tools

PowerPoint

Job description

Headquartered in Carlsbad, California, and with offices in Boston, Massachusetts, and Dublin, Ireland, Ionis has been at work for more than three decades discovering medical breakthroughs that have redefined life for people with serious diseases. We’re pioneers in RNA-targeted medicines, and our platform continues to revolutionize drug discovery and transform lives for patients with unmet needs. With multiple marketed medicines and a leading pipeline in neurology, cardiology and select areas of high patient needs, we continue to drive innovation in RNA therapies in addition to advancing new approaches in gene editing to provide greater value to patients and are well positioned financially to deliver on our strategic goals.

At Ionis, we pride ourselves on cultivating a challenging, motivating and rewarding environment that fosters innovation and scientific excellence. We know that our success is a direct result of the exceptional talents and dedication of our employees.

With an unprecedented opportunity to change the course of human health, we look to add diverse individuals, skill sets and perspectives to our exceptional team. We continue to invest time, money and energy into making our onsite, hybrid and remote work environments a place where solid and lasting relationships are built and where our culture and employees can thrive.

We’re building on our rich history, and we believe our greatest achievements are ahead of us. If you’re passionate about the opportunity to have meaningful impact on patients in need, we invite you to apply and join us. Experience and contribute to our unique culture while you develop and expand your career!

Patent Agent

Ionis seeks a Patent Agent to support the development and management of global patent portfolios and day-to-day intellectual property activities for the company’s innovative RNA- and DNA-targeted technology. Working closely with senior patent counsel, scientists, and cross-functional teams, this hands‑on role will identify and protect inventions, draft and prosecute patent applications, and provide strategic, operational, and litigation support.

The position will also support senior patent counsel through patent and legal research, executive‑ready presentations and briefing materials, and clear written communications.

Responsibilities

• Manage a focused docket of US and international patent matters, including monitoring deadlines, coordinating filings, preparing instructions to outside counsel and foreign associates, and maintaining status information.
• Draft high-quality provisional, nonprovisional, and PCT patent applications relating to pharmaceutical and biotechnology inventions, with guidance and review from senior patent counsel.
• Prepare claims, amendments, Office Action responses, and related prosecution materials; analyze prior art and examiner positions; and recommend practical prosecution approaches.
• Partner with scientists and senior counsel to identify patentable inventions, obtain and organize supporting information, and develop appropriate filing strategies.
• Conduct patentability, landscape, freedom-to-operate, competitive intelligence, and legal research, and provide concise analyses and recommendations.
• Assist senior patent counsel and outside litigation counsel with patent litigation and other contentious matters, including legal and factual research, claim charts, document review, chronologies, discovery support, and preparation of briefing and presentation materials.
• Review scientific publications, abstracts, posters, presentations, and manuscripts for patent‑related issues and assist with publication clearance.
• Prepare polished PowerPoint presentations, briefing materials, tables, timelines, meeting summaries, talking points, emails, and other correspondence; track decisions and follow‑up items.
• Support patent portfolio reviews, due diligence, collaborations and licenses, exclusivity analyses, and other matters involving clinical or commercial products.
• Contribute to IP department processes, knowledge resources, and special projects, and perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Registered to practice before the USPTO
• Degree in biology, biochemistry, or related field; an advanced scientific degree is preferred but not required.
• Approximately 3-5 years of relevant patent experience, preferably in pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, or pharmacy; law firm, in‑house, US, and international patent experience will be considered.
• Demonstrated experience drafting patent applications and claims and managing or supporting patent prosecution.
• Ability to manage a focused docket, prioritize competing assignments, and meet deadlines with appropriate supervision and escalation.
• Strong patent searching, legal research, analytical, and writing skills, with the ability to translate complex scientific and legal information into concise, practical work product; legal education or demonstrated experience analyzing legal issues is preferred but not required.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including proficiency in preparing polished PowerPoint presentations and other executive‑ready materials; sound judgment, discretion, and a high degree of professionalism.
• Strong interpersonal skills, curiosity, and adaptability, with the ability to collaborate effectively across legal, scientific, and business teams and a willingness to learn Ionis technology and priorities.

Please visit our website, http://www.ionis.com for more information about Ionis and to apply for this position; reference requisition # IONIS004129

Ionis Benefits

Ionis offers an excellent benefits package! Follow this link for more details: Full Benefits Link: https://ionis.com/careers#:~:text=Highly%20competitive%20benefits

The pay scale for this position is $120,000 to $ 130,000

NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE. PRINCIPALS ONLY.

Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and all its subsidiaries are proud to be EEO employers.