Patent Attorney II

Novartis; Cambridge (MA); On-site; USD 186,000 - 345,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

401(k) with company match

Generous paid time off

Job summary

Novartis seeks a Patent Attorney II to lead and manage patent and IP activities within its R&D organization. This role is based out of Cambridge (3x/week) or San Diego, providing strategic counsel on invention protection and portfolio development.

You will build and manage patent portfolios across areas such as new molecular entities, processes, and technologies; render opinions on patentability, FTO, and validity; and advise on transactional IP matters including collaborations and licensing.

Qualifications

• J.D. degree, admission to at least one state bar, and registration to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
• Advanced degree (Ph.D. strongly preferred) in chemistry or closely related field with exposure to drug discovery and development.
• 7+ years of experience as a qualified patent attorney in a law firm or pharma/biotech industry.
• Strong technical expertise in chemistry, including small molecules, synthesis, or pharmaceutical development.
• Expertise in US and PCT patent law, filing processes, and prosecution with knowledge of European patent law.
• Strong client-service orientation with the ability to partner with stakeholders and project teams.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic IP counsel on invention protection, portfolio development, and third-party risks.
• Build and manage patent portfolios across projects and technologies.
• Render opinions on patentability, validity, and freedom to operate; develop IP strategies.
• Apply national and global patent law to shape strategy and advise.
• Support exclusivity protections and transactional IP matters (M&A, collaborations, in-licensing).
• Communicate with legal, IP, and R&D teams; manage relationships with outside counsel.
• Conduct due diligence on FTO, infringement, and risk mitigation.
• Provide IP support for contracts and negotiations.

Skills

Patent law

Prosecution

Portfolio management

Freedom to operate

Negotiation

Patent drafting

Strategic thinking

Relationship building

Stakeholder management

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Education

J.D. degree

Ph.D. in Chemistry

Job description

Job Description Summary

The Patent Attorney II will lead and manage designated patent and related intellectual property (IP) activities within the Novartis research and development (R&D) organization.

This role is based out of our San Diego or Cambridge office 3x/week.

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

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