Patent Attorney

Novartis; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 186,000 - 345,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

401(k) with company match

Generous vacation

Job summary

Novartis seeks a senior patent attorney to lead and manage patent and IP activities within the R&D organization. You will counsel internal clients on invention protection, portfolio strategy, publication plans, and third-party risks, and build patent portfolios across molecules, processes, and technologies.

You will render opinions on patentability and freedom to operate, develop strategies to strengthen IP positions, and coordinate with outside counsel globally to support M&A, collaborations,

Qualifications

• J.D. required with bar admission and USPTO registration.
• Advanced degree (Ph.D.) in chemistry strongly preferred.
• 7+ years as a patent attorney in law firms or industry.
• Expertise in U.S. and PCT patent law and global systems.

Responsibilities

• Counsel R&D clients on invention protection, portfolio strategy, publication strategy, and third-party risks.
• Build and manage patent portfolios for projects across molecules, processes, and technologies.
• Render opinions on patentability, validity, and freedom to operate; develop strategies.
• Apply national and global patent law knowledge to shape strategy and advice.
• Support exclusive protections and IP for transactional matters (M&A, collaborations, licensing).
• Communicate with legal, IP, and R&D colleagues; coordinate with outside counsel.
• Conduct due diligence, freedom-to-operate, infringement, validity risk assessments.
• Interact across multicultural global patent function; manage external relationships.

Skills

Patent strategy

Client counseling

Invention protection

Freedom-to-operate

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

J.D. degree

Ph.D. in chemistry or related field

Tools

U.S. Patent Law

PCT filings

Patent prosecution

Job description

Job Description Summary

This person will lead and manage designated patent and related intellectual property (IP) activities within the Novartis research and development (R&D) organization.

Job Description

Job responsibilities:

• Provide clear, strategic, and business-focused counsel to Novartis R&D clients on invention protection, portfolio development, publication strategy, and third-party risks.
• Build and manage patent portfolios for Novartis R&D projects by identifying inventions and preparing, prosecuting, maintaining, and defending patent filings across areas such as new molecular entities, processes, manufacturing, platforms, technologies, and clinical developments.
• Render legal opinions on patentability, validity, and freedom to operate, and develop patent strategies that strengthen IP positions, support freedom to operate, and enable effective IP defense.
• Apply deep knowledge of national patent law and practice, including relevant legal developments and patent trends, to shape strategy and advice.
• Understand and apply other forms of exclusivity protection, as appropriate.
• Communicate effectively with colleagues and leaders across the legal, IP, and R&D organizations.
• Build and manage relationships with outside counsel and collaborators, including extensive interaction within a multicultural global patent function.
• Conduct due diligence and provide counsel based on those assessments, including freedom-to-operate, infringement, validity, risk evaluation, and risk mitigation strategies.
• Provide IP support for transactional matters, including M&A, research collaborations, and in-licensing opportunities, with advice on contract drafting and negotiation.

Essential requirements :

• J.D. degree, admission to at least one state bar, and registration to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. AND
• Advanced degree (Ph.D. strongly preferred) in chemistry or a closely related field (e.g., organic chemistry, medicinal chemistry, chemical engineering) and preferably with 1–2 years of exposure to drug discovery and development processes used in pharmaceutical and/or biotechnology companies.
• 7+ years of experience as a qualified patent attorney in a law firm or within the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry.
• Strong technical expertise in chemistry, preferably including experience with small molecules, synthesis, or pharmaceutical development.
• Expertise in U.S. and PCT patent law, filing processes, and prosecution practice, with a detailed understanding of European patent law and other major global patent systems.
• Strong client-service orientation, with the ability to build and sustain effective partnerships with key stakeholders and project teams.

Desirable requirements:

• Strong analytical, presentation, and communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively both independently and collaboratively.
• Strong research, critical thinking, and decision-making skills, with close attention to detail and a commitment to consistently accurate work.
• Excellent organizational and time-management skills, with the flexibility, creativity, and resourcefulness to manage multiple competing priorities successfully.
• Strong interpersonal skills, including partnership building, influence, persuasion, and teamwork.

Benefits & Rewards

The salary for this position is expected to range between $185,500 and $344,500 per year. The final salary offered is determined based on factors like, but not limited to, relevant skills and experience, and upon joining Novartis will be reviewed periodically. Novartis may change the published salary range based on company and market factors. Your compensation will include a performance-based cash incentive and, depending on the level of the role, eligibility to be considered for annual equity awards. US-based eligible employees will receive a comprehensive benefits package that includes health, life and disability benefits, a 401(k) with company contribution and match, and a variety of other benefits. In addition, employees are eligible for a generous time off package including vacation, personal days, holidays and other leaves.

Why Novartis:

Helping people with disease and their families takes more than innovative science. It takes a community of smart, passionate people like you. Collaborating, supporting and inspiring each other. Combining to achieve breakthroughs that change patients’ lives. Ready to create a brighter future together? https://www.novartis.com/about/strategy/people-and-culture

Join our Novartis Network:

Not the right Novartis role for you? Sign up to our talent community to stay connected and learn about suitable career opportunities as soon as they come up: https://talentnetwork.novartis.com/network

Benefits and Rewards:

Read our handbook to learn about all the ways we’ll help you thrive personally and professionally: https://www.novartis.com/careers/benefits-rewards

EEO Statement:

The Novartis Group of Companies are Equal Opportunity Employers. We do not discriminate in recruitment, hiring, training, promotion or other employment practices for reasons of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital or veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status.

Accessibility and reasonable accommodations

The Novartis Group of Companies are committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If, because of a medical condition or disability, you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process, or to perform the essential functions of a position, please send an e-mail to [e-mail] or call [phone] and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Please include the job requisition number in your message.

Salary Range

$185,500.00 - $344,500.00

Skills Desired

Adaptability, Business Acumen, Critical Thinking, Curious Mindset, Decision Making, Freedom to Operate Analysis, Intellectual Property Law, Negotiation, Patentability, Patent Drafting, Patent Law, Patent Litigation, Patent Portfolio Management, Patent Prosecution, Persuasion, Planning, Problem Solving, Relationship Building, Stakeholder Management, Strategic Thinking