Patent Counsel

MSD; Rahway (NJ); Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

MSD, a leading biopharmaceutical company, seeks a Patent Attorney in New Jersey or Massachusetts to join our in-house team. You will identify inventions with the R&D group, draft and prosecute global patent applications, and support IP due diligence and business development initiatives.

The role involves collaboration with legal, regulatory, manufacturing and commercial teams, travel up to domestic and international as needed, and ensuring robust IP protection for biopharmaceutical platforms.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (US) required; bar admission in at least one state/DC.
• USPTO registration and active status.
• Bachelor’s in biological, chemical, or pharmaceutical sciences.

Responsibilities

• Identify inventions with R&D to draft global patent applications.
• Draft and prosecute patent applications for biopharmaceuticals.
• Support oppositions, litigation, and IP due diligence.
• Collaborate with in-house attorneys, paralegals, and cross-functional teams.
• Conduct freedom-to-operate analyses and advise on IP strategy.
• Travel domestically and internationally as needed.

Skills

Communication

Analytical skills

IP Counseling

Patent analysis

Patent prosecution

Team collaboration

Negotiation

Detail-oriented

Education

Juris Doctor (US)

Bachelor's degree in biological/chemical/pharmaceutical sciences

USPTO registration

Bar admission (state/DC)

Job description

Job Description

Patent Attorney

Are you interested in the intersection of scientific innovation and property law, especially how to efficiently capture innovation with intellectual property, incentivize continued R&D and drive access to life-saving medicines for patients? If so, the Patent Counsel role at our Company could be an ideal opportunity for you. We are looking for a highly motivated and skilled individual to join our team in New Jersey or Massachusetts.

In this role, you will work directly with our internal R&D team to identify inventions, conduct patentability assessments, and draft and prosecute patent applications for novel chemical sciences inventions. The position will support programs in all phases of development, from discovery through development and commercialization, and allows for the support of programs in areas (including different therapeutic areas and modalities). This role also provides exposure to and interaction with major areas of the business including discovery, development, manufacturing, and supply, regulatory, business development, commercial groups, and other legal functions.

Responsibilities Include But Are Not Limited To

• Working independently through product development teams to devise a patenting strategy with the goal of building robust portfolios of intellectual property for cutting-edge biopharmaceutical products;
• Drafting and prosecuting patent applications related to our Company’s products, product candidates and platform technologies on a global basis;
• Working with internal litigation colleagues to support oppositions, or other proceedings related to your supported programs;
• Working with a large team of in-house U.S. and European patent attorneys, paralegals, legal operations and support staff, and local agents;
• Conducting freedom to operate analyses for our Company’s R&D activities; and
• Actively supporting various business development activities (e.g., research collaborations and acquisitions) by conducting IP due diligence on assets or technology of interest, counseling the business as to IP expectations, and supporting the drafting and negotiation of related agreements, all while working with a team of scientific, legal and commercial functions.
• Some domestic and international travel may be required.

Minimum Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in the biological, pharmaceutical or chemical sciences from an accredited institution; and
• Graduate of an accredited US law school.
• Registered to practice before the USPTO;
• Member in good standing of a Bar of at least one state or the District of Columbia;
• Five (5) or more years of experience as an attorney in a law firm or corporate setting, drafting and prosecuting pharmaceutical or biological patent applications (Note: time accrued as a practicing patent agent may be considered);
• Strong technical background in chemical or biological sciences; and
• Excellent communication and analytical skills.

Preferred Experience and Skills

• Advanced degree in the biological or chemical sciences;
• Experience in counseling clients on intellectual property issues;
• Experience prioritizing work and leveraging resources to manage a significant workload;
• Ability to build partnerships and work in cross-functional teams;
• Ability to communicate competently and confidently with R&D clients, business partners, and senior leaders;
• Ability to exercise judgment to drive decisions on routine and non-routine matters within areas of practice; and
• Ability to be proactive and take initiative.

Required Skills

Biopharmaceutical Industry, Biopharmaceutical Industry, Biopharmaceuticals, Biopharmaceutics, Business Development, Business Partnerships, Client Counseling, Confidentiality, Cross-Cultural Awareness, Detail-Oriented, Exercises Judgment, In House Recruitment, Intellectual Property Counseling, Intellectual Property Law, Intellectual Property Portfolio Management, Legal Research, Legal Strategies, Negotiation, Patent Analysis, Patent Applications, Patent Examination, Patent Preparation, Patent Prosecution, Personal Initiative, Taking Initiative {+ 1 more

San Francisco Residents Only

We will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records for employment in compliance with the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance

Los Angeles Residents Only

We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance

Employee Status: Regular

Relocation: Domestic

VISA Sponsorship: No

Travel Requirements: 10%

Flexible Work Arrangements: Hybrid

Shift: 1st - Day

Valid Driving License: No

Hazardous Material(s): N/A

Job Posting End Date: 10/30/2026

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