Head of IP, RayzeBio (Small Molecule/Chemistry)

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

Job summary

Bristol Myers Squibb is seeking an experienced IP attorney to lead RayzeBio's global IP strategy and operations for a radiopharmaceutical portfolio. The role focuses on building and guiding the IP function, managing high-stakes patent matters, and leading a growing team across in-house and external counsel.

The candidate will partner with R&D, regulatory, business development, and commercial teams, while handling due diligence for deals and negotiating complex IP provisions in strategic

Qualifications

• 12+ years of patent prosecution and IP strategy experience focusing on small molecule, radiopharmaceutical, and/or peptide chemistry.
• Registered to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
• J.D. degree or equivalent with admission to practice law in any U.S. state or D.C.; California preferred.
• Bachelor's in chemistry/biochemistry/pharmaceutical sciences; advanced degree preferred.
• Experience mentoring patent attorneys/agents or readiness to lead a team.
• Experience providing IP due diligence and risk assessment for BD, licensing, and transactions.
• Demonstrated ability to partner with senior legal and business leadership.

Responsibilities

• Own and drive global IP strategy for RayzeBio, collaborating with R&D, regulatory, BD, and commercial teams.
• Lead IP input for business development, licensing, and other strategic transactions.
• Manage complex patent portfolios, including freedom-to-operate and validity analyses.
• Lead IP due diligence for M&A, licensing, and collaborations and assess partner portfolios.
• Develop trade secret protection policies and grow RayzeBio's IP team.
• Oversee outside patent counsel, ensuring quality and cost-effectiveness.
• Draft and negotiate IP provisions in licenses, R&D/collaboration, and other agreements.
• Monitor IP law developments relevant to radiopharmaceuticals and small molecules.
• Represent RayzeBio IP function to internal/external stakeholders and leadership.

Skills

IP strategy

Patent prosecution

Leadership

Negotiation

Risk assessment

Education

J.D. degree

Bachelor's in chemistry

Job description

Summary

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. 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.

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 ap