Head of IP, RayzeBio (Small Molecule/Chemistry)

Bristol-Myers Squibb Co; San Diego (CA); Hybrid; USD 298,000 - 361,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits

Flexible Time Off (FTO)

11 paid company holidays

160 hours paid vacation annually

Job summary

Bristol Myers Squibb Co is seeking an experienced IP attorney to lead global IP strategy for RayzeBio, reporting into the BMS Law Department. The role focuses on radiopharmaceutical IP, M&A due diligence, and managing significant patent matters, with potential to build and grow the RayzeBio IP team.

The position emphasizes leadership, strategic advisory to senior leadership, and collaboration across R&D, regulatory, business development, and commercial teams. Prior in-house experience is valued.

Qualifications

• 12+ years of patent prosecution and IP strategy experience, with focus on small molecules/radiopharmaceuticals/peptide chemistry.
• Registered to practice before the USPTO.
• J.D. degree and admission to practice in the US; California preferred.

Responsibilities

• Own and drive global IP strategy for RayzeBio's radiopharmaceutical pipeline.
• Lead IP due diligence for M&A, licensing, and collaborations.
• Manage high-complexity patent matters and perform freedom-to-operate analyses.
• Draft, review, and negotiate IP provisions for complex agreements (licenses, RD/partnerships).
• Mentor and lead RayzeBio's IP team and manage outside counsel relationships.

Skills

Patent strategy

IP prosecution

Leadership

Mentoring

Risk assessment

Negotiation

Education

J.D. degree

US bar admission

Chemistry or related science background

Job description

At Bristol Myers Squibb, our employees often ask, “Who are you working for?”—a question that fuels collaboration, accountability, and urgency in our work. Our purpose-driven culture inspires us to discover, develop, and deliver innovative medicines to prevail over serious diseases. We offer uniquely interesting and meaningful work, opportunities for growth, and a supportive environment that values inclusion, wellbeing, flexibility, and comprehensive benefits. This is work that transforms the lives of patients, and the careers of those who do it.

Summary

We are building out RayzeBio's intellectual property (IP) function and are looking for an experienced IP attorney dedicated to leading IP strategy and operations for RayzeBio. This role will report into the BMS Law Department and is responsible for developing the vision and managing the execution of global IP strategy for RayzeBio's radiopharmaceutical portfolio. This position also comes with the opportunity to build and grow RayzeBio's IP team, including leading team members as the function scales, making this a strong opportunity for an IP attorney ready to take on leadership responsibilities.

Key Responsibilities

• Own and drive global IP strategy for RayzeBio's radiopharmaceutical pipeline, partnering closely with R&D, regulatory, business development, and commercial teams.
• Serve as the IP lead for RayzeBio, providing IP input into business development, licensing, and other strategic transactions.
• Manage RayzeBio's high complexity and strategically significant patent matters, including patentability, freedom-to-operate, and validity/invalidity analyses.
• Lead IP due diligence for M&A, licensing, and collaboration activities, evaluate the IP portfolios of potential partners and acquisition targets, and advise on risk.
• Develop and implement trade secret protection policies and procedures.
• Help build and develop RayzeBio's growing IP team, providing technical guidance and supporting career development of team members.
• Own relationships with, and manage the performance and budget of, outside patent counsel globally to ensure high-quality, cost-effective legal services.
• Draft, review, and negotiate IP provisions for RayzeBio's most complex and strategically significant transactional agreements, including license agreements, R&D/collaboration agreements, and other high-value strategic transactions.
• Monitor developments in IP laws and regulations relevant to radiopharmaceuticals and small-molecule chemistry, and advise leadership on their implications.
• Represent RayzeBio's IP function to internal stakeholders, BMS colleagues, and external partners, including at the leadership-team level as needed.

Qualifications & Experience

• 12+ years of patent prosecution and IP strategy experience, with substantial focus on small molecule, radiopharmaceutical, and/or peptide chemistry; a combination of law firm and in-house experience is strongly preferred.
• Registered to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
• J.D. degree or equivalent and admission to practice law in any U.S. state or the District of Columbia; admission in California preferred.
• Bachelor's degree in chemistry, biochemistry, or pharmaceutical sciences (or equivalent); an advanced degree and/or scientific research experience with radiopharmaceutical and/or peptide chemistry is preferred.
• Demonstrated experience mentoring and managing patent attorneys and/or patent agents, or clear readiness to step into a people-leadership role.
• Substantial experience providing IP due diligence and risk assessment in support of business development, licensing, and transactional activities.
• Excellent judgment and the demonstrated ability to operate as a trusted strategic partner to senior legal and business leadership.
• Ability to manage competing priorities across multiple therapeutic programs and stakeholders.
• Excellent analytical, written, and verbal communication and negotiation skills.
• Highest integrity, and the ability to proactively recognize and assess business risk and communicate legal issues to patent, legal, and general management.
• #LI-Hybrid

Compensation Overview

San Diego - CA - US: $297,700 - $360,747

The starting pay range(s) listed above is for full-time employees (FTE). You may also be eligible for additional discretionary incentive cash and stock opportunities. We determine starting pay thoughtfully – carefully considering the nature of the role, required skills, work location, schedule and the knowledge and experience you bring. Final compensation is guided by pay equity principles and applicable employment laws. Compensation programs are reviewed on an ongoing basis and may be adjusted over time to reflect evolving market factors, and individual, team or Company performance.

Benefits

• Subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable plans then in effect, you may be eligible to participate in our comprehensive benefit plans – including wellbeing support, retirement and financial protection benefits, and insurance offerings (medical, dental, vision, life and disability).
• U.S.-based exempt employees are eligible for Flexible Time Off (FTO), which provides paid time off without a set accrual limit, subject to manager approval, along with 11 paid company holidays each year.
• Non-exempt employees, RayzeBio employees, and employees located in Puerto Rico receive 160 hours of paid vacation annually for new hires (subject to manager approval), 11 paid company holidays, and 3 optional holidays.
• Depending on eligibility, employees may also have access to additional time-off benefits, including paid sick leave, up to two paid volunteer days per year, summer hours flexibility, and leaves of absence for medical, personal, parental, caregiver, bereavement, or military needs.
• Eligible employees also enjoy an annual Global Shutdown between Christmas Day and New Year's Day.
• U.S.-based job seekers can explore full benefit offerings at https://careers.bms.com/benefits

How We Work

Where you work matters – because collaboration, innovation and patient impact happen in many settings. Our roles are structured across four work models: site-essential, site-by-design, field-based and remote-by-design. The model assigned to this role is based on its core responsibilities. Learn more at https://careers.bms.com/ways-of-working.

Supporting People with Disabilities

BMS is dedicated to ensuring that people with disabilities can excel through a transparent recruitment process, reasonable workplace accommodations/adjustments and ongoing support in their roles. Applicants can request a reasonable workplace accommodation/adjustment prior to accepting a job offer. If you require reasonable accommodations/adjustments in completing this application, or in any part of the recruitment process, direct your inquiries to [e-mail]. Visit https://careers.bms.com/eeo-accessibility to access our complete Equal Employment Opportunity statement.

Candidate Rights

BMS will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records, pursuant to applicable laws in your area. For roles based in Los Angeles County only: If you live in or expect to work from Los Angeles County if hired for this position, please visit this page for important additional information: https://careers.bms.com/california-residents/

Data Protection

We will never request payments, financial information, or social security numbers during our application or recruitment process. Learn more about protecting yourself at https://careers.bms.com/fraud-protection. Any data processed in connection with role applications will be treated in accordance with applicable data privacy policies and regulations. If this posting is missing required information required by local law or incorrect, contact BMS at [e-mail] the Job Title and Requisition number. To check your application status, please login to your Candidate Home Account.

R1607516 : Head of IP, RayzeBio (Small Molecule/Chemistry) Data Privacy Link

We’re creating innovative medicines for patients fighting serious diseases. We’re also nurturing our own diverse team with inspiring work and challenging career options. No matter the role, each one of us makes a contribution. And that makes all the difference.