Global Head of Intellectual Property

Takeda Pharmaceuticals America; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 339,000 - 466,000; Full time

Job summary

Takeda Pharmaceuticals America seeks a Global Head of Intellectual Property to shape and execute a cohesive, global IP program for small molecules to biologics. You will lead strategy, portfolio protection, and cross-border prosecution while partnering with R&D, clinical, and commercial teams.

The role oversees patent litigation, licensing, and transactional support, guides Hatch-Waxman strategies and PTE filings, mentors a high-performing IP team, and ensures risk-aware, business-driven IP

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school, with an advanced scientific degree (PhD or Masters) in Chemistry, Biology, or related field strongly preferred.
• 15+ years of relevant IP legal experience, with at least 7+ years of in-house experience within the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry.
• Registered to practice before the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
• Deep understanding of global patent law, regulatory data protection, and biopharmaceutical R&D.

Responsibilities

• Design, own, and continuously refine a worldwide IP strategy aligned to business priorities and portfolio value.
• Lead patent drafting, filing, prosecution, and long-term maintenance across key jurisdictions, optimizing scope, cost, and risk.
• Serve as a strategic partner to R&D, Clinical, and other key functions to identify, capture, and evaluate inventions.
• Lead IP diligence and deal support for licensing, collaborations, acquisitions, divestitures, and strategic partnerships.
• Direct IP disputes and enforcement globally, including litigation, oppositions, and administrative proceedings.
• Lead, develop, and mentor a high-performing in-house team of IP attorneys and professionals.

Skills

Global IP knowledge

In-house IP experience

Licensing & M&A knowledge

Regulatory data protection

Patent law expertise

USPTO registration

Education

Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school

Advanced scientific degree (PhD or Masters) in Chemistry or Biology

Job description

Job Description

About the role:

The Global Head of Intellectual Property (IP) is responsible for shaping and executing a cohesive global IP program to procure, prosecute, and protect innovative therapies, ranging from small molecules to biologics. This role involves developing strategies for patent portfolios, trademarks, and trade secrets while overseeing global patent prosecution, enforcement, litigation, and transactional support (licensing, M&A).

How you will contribute:

• Global IP Strategy: Design, own, and continuously refine a worldwide IP strategy aligned to business priorities and portfolio value. Lead patent drafting, filing, prosecution, and long-term maintenance across key jurisdictions (including the United States, Europe, China, Japan, and other priority markets), optimizing scope, cost, and risk.
• Pipeline Protection & Invention Capture: Serve as a strategic partner to R&D, Clinical, and other key functions to proactively identify, capture, and evaluate inventions. Build repeatable invention-harvesting processes and conduct/oversee freedom-to-operate (FTO), patentability, validity, and infringement analyses to guide development, partnering, and commercialization decisions.
• Lifecycle Management & Exclusivity Optimization: Support product launches and sustain competitive advantage through end-to-end lifecycle planning. Provide deep Hatch-Waxman counseling, including Orange Book strategy and listings, ANDA litigation readiness, and coordination of patent and regulatory exclusivity positions. Prepare and prosecute Patent Term Extension (PTE) applications and related exclusivity actions to maximize value.
• Transactional / Business Development Support: Lead IP diligence and deal support for licensing, collaborations, acquisitions, divestitures, and strategic partnerships. Identify IP assets and gaps, assess risks and value drivers, and negotiate/shape key IP terms (e.g., ownership, prosecution control, enforcement rights, royalties, and field/territory restrictions) to enable business objectives.
• Litigation, Opposition & Enforcement: Direct IP disputes and enforcement of matters globally, including patent litigation, oppositions, and administrative proceedings. Develop case strategy, manage budgets and timelines, oversee outside counsel and expert teams, and ensure consistent, business-focused positions across forums and geographies.
• People Leadership & Capability Building: Lead, develop, and mentor a high-performing in-house team of IP attorneys, patent agents, and IP professionals. Set clear priorities, establish best practices and playbooks, drive operational excellence, and foster cross-functional collaboration to deliver high-impact IP outcome

Preferred Qualifications:

• Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school, with an advanced scientific degree (PhD or Masters) in Chemistry, Biology, or related field strongly preferred.
• 15+ years of relevant IP legal experience, with at least 7+ years of in-house experience within the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry.
• Registered to practice before the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
• Deep understanding of global patent law, regulatory data protection, and biopharmaceutical R&D.

Takeda Compensation and Benefits Summary

We understand compensation is an important factor as you consider the next step in your career. We are committed to equitable pay for all employees, and we strive to be more transparent with our pay practices.

For Location: Boston, MA

U.S. Base Salary Range: $339,200.00 - $466,400.00

The estimated salary range reflects an anticipated range for this position. The actual base salary offered may depend on a variety of factors, including the qualifications of the individual applicant for the position, years of relevant experience, specific and unique skills, level of education attained, certifications or other professional licenses held, and the location in which the applicant lives and/or from which they will be performing the job.The actual base salary offered will be in accordance with state or local minimum wage requirements for the job location.

For information about our benefits, please click here.

EEO Statement

Takeda is proud in its commitment to creating a diverse workforce and providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, parental status, national origin, age, disability, citizenship status, genetic information or characteristics, marital status, status as a Vietnam era veteran, special disabled veteran, or other protected veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws, and any other characteristic protected by law.

LocationsBoston, MAWorker TypeEmployeeWorker Sub-TypeRegularTime TypeFull time

Job Exempt

YesIt is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.