Patent Attorney II

Novartis; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 195,000 - 361,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Cash incentive

Equity awards

Health benefits

401(k) with match

Generous leave

Job summary

Novartis is seeking a Patent Attorney II to protect groundbreaking life sciences discoveries and support R&D through strategic IP decisions. You will build robust patent portfolios, render opinions on patentability and freedom to operate, and advise on transactions with cross-functional teams across global projects.

Based in the US, with potential Cambridge or San Diego presence, this role demands deep technical life sciences expertise, US and PCT practice, and the ability to navigate complex

Qualifications

• JD with admission to at least one state bar and USPTO registration.
• PhD in molecular biology, cell biology, biochemistry, immunology, genetics, biotechnology, pharmaceutical sciences, or related field.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic IP counsel to R&D clients on invention protection and portfolio development.
• Build and manage patent portfolios across biologics, antibodies, cell/gene therapies, nucleic acid technologies, and related areas.
• Render opinions on patentability, validity, and freedom to operate; develop robust IP strategies.
• Apply national and international patent law knowledge to shape strategy and advice.
• Communicate with legal, IP, and R&D teams and manage external counsel relationships.

Skills

Bar admission

Patent prosecution

Life sciences knowledge

Project management

Communication skills

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

PhD in life sciences

Job description

Summary

Ready to shape the future of innovation at Novartis? As Patent Attorney II, you will play a pivotal role in protecting groundbreaking scientific discoveries and enabling life-changing medicines to reach patients worldwide. Partnering closely with R&D teams, you will drive strategic intellectual property decisions, build robust patent portfolios, and navigate complex legal landscapes to safeguard innovation across the product lifecycle.

Summary

Ready to shape the future of innovation at Novartis? As Patent Attorney II, you will play a pivotal role in protecting groundbreaking scientific discoveries and enabling life-changing medicines to reach patients worldwide. Partnering closely with R&D teams, you will drive strategic intellectual property decisions, build robust patent portfolios, and navigate complex legal landscapes to safeguard innovation across the product lifecycle.

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

About The Role

Key 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 biologics, protein therapeutics, antibodies, cell and gene therapies, nucleic acid-based technologies, manufacturing processes, formulations, methods of treatment, biomarkers, companion diagnostics, platforms, 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.
• 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, and risk evaluation.
• Provide IP support for transactional matters, including M&A, research collaborations, and in-licensing opportunities, with advice on contract drafting and negotiation.
• Ensure high-quality, timely delivery of work aligned with business goals and budgets.

Essential Requirements

• Juris Doctor degree with admission to at least one state bar, and registration to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
• PhD in molecular biology, cell biology, biochemistry, immunology, genetics, biotechnology, pharmaceutical sciences, or a related life sciences field.
• Seven or more years of experience as a patent attorney within a law firm or pharmaceutical or biotechnology environment.
• Strong technical expertise in the life sciences, including experience with biologics, antibodies, protein engineering, cell and gene therapies, nucleic acid technologies, immunology, or other advanced therapeutic modalities.
• 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.
• Proven ability to partner with scientific and business stakeholders to deliver strategic intellectual property advice.
• Strong analytical, communication, and decision-making skills with high attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities effectively within a fast‑paced, global environment.

Benefits & Rewards

• The salary for this position is expected to range between $194,600 and $361,400 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

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

Benefits and Rewards:

Read our handbook (PDF 30 MB)

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 & 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 [email protected] 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.