Patent Counsel/ Patent Agent, Innovation Law

Bristol Myers Squibb; Princeton (NJ); On-site; USD 209,000 - 253,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible Time Off

11 paid holidays

Medical, dental, vision insurance

Job summary

Bristol Myers Squibb seeks an experienced patent attorney or agent to support internal patent preparation and prosecution, provide strategic IP counsel, and collaborate across functions. The role may involve global filings, due diligence, and business development support.

Ideal candidates have USPTO registration, 7–10 years in pharma/biotech patent law, and strong analytical and communication skills. Flexible location with multi-center collaboration is possible.

Qualifications

• Registered to practice before the USPTO.
• J.D. degree is preferred, but not required.
• 7–10 years of patent law experience in the pharmaceutical/biotechnology industry.
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in chemistry, biochemistry, or pharmaceutical sciences. An advanced degree and/or scientific research experience is preferred.
• Excellent analytical, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Service-oriented focus with the ability to work as part of cross-functional teams and drive results.
• Highest integrity, excellent judgment, and the ability to proactively recognize and effectively assess business risk and communicate legal issues to patent, legal, and key stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and prosecute patent applications, including drafting, filing, and managing responses to office actions on a global level.
• Conduct freedom-to-operate analyses and provide strategic counsel on patentability and infringement issues.
• Manage patent portfolios, including conducting patent landscape analyses and developing patent strategies to protect BMS's innovations.
• Provide due diligence support for business development activities, including evaluating IP portfolios of potential partners and acquisition targets.
• Draft and negotiate license and research collaboration agreements.
• Manage relationships with outside counsel to ensure high-quality and cost-effective legal services.
• Regularly engage with business and technical teams to provide IP-related guidance and support.
• Stay updated on changes in patent laws and regulations and ensure compliance with all relevant legal requirements.

Skills

USPTO registration

Patent law experience

Analytical skills

Written and verbal communication

Cross-functional collaboration

Judgment and integrity

Education

J.D. degree

Chemistry/Biochemistry/Pharmaceutical Sciences degree

Advanced degree

Scientific research experience

Job description

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.

Position Summary: Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS) is seeking an experienced patent attorney or agent to join our headquarters in Princeton, New Jersey, or one of our research centers in Cambridge, MA, or San Diego, CA. The patent practitioner will support clients across multiple functional areas to provide strategic counsel to key stakeholders. Responsibilities will primarily include internal preparation and prosecution of patents as well as providing strategic counsel, including freedom to operate, business development diligences, and client counseling. The patent practitioner will work closely with clients in various functions in a dynamic, growth-oriented environment and will collaborate with other in‑house and outside attorneys to accomplish BMS objectives.

Key Responsibilities:

• Prepare and prosecute patent applications, including drafting, filing, and managing responses to office actions on a global level.
• Conduct freedom-to-operate analyses and provide strategic counsel on patentability and infringement issues.
• Manage patent portfolios, including conducting patent landscape analyses and developing patent strategies to protect BMS's innovations.
• Provide due diligence support for business development activities, including evaluating IP portfolios of potential partners and acquisition targets.
• Draft and negotiate license and research collaboration agreements.
• Manage relationships with outside counsel to ensure high-quality and cost-effective legal services.
• Regularly engage with business and technical teams to provide IP-related guidance and support.
• Stay updated on changes in patent laws and regulations and ensure compliance with all relevant legal requirements.

Qualifications:

• Registered to practice before the USPTO.
• J.D. degree is preferred, but not required.
• 7-10 years of patent law experience in the pharmaceutical/biotechnology industry.
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in chemistry, biochemistry, or pharmaceutical sciences. An advanced degree and/or scientific research experience is preferred.
• Excellent analytical, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Service-oriented focus with the ability to work as part of cross-functional teams and drive results.
• Highest integrity, excellent judgment, and the ability to proactively recognize and effectively assess business risk and communicate legal issues to patent, legal, and key stakeholders.

Compensation Overview:

Cambridge Crossing: $229,640 - $278,265

Princeton - NJ - US: $208,760 - $252,968

San Diego - CA - US: $229,640 - $278,265

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 applicable plans then in effect, you may be eligible to participate in our comprehensive benefit plans – including wellbeing support, retirement and financial protection benefits, and insurance offerings (medical, dental, vision, life and disability).
• U.S.-based exempt employees are eligible for Flexible Time Off (FTO), which provides paid time off without a set accrual limit, subject to manager approval, along with 11 paid company holidays each year.
• Non-exempt employees, RayzeBio employees, and employees located in Puerto Rico receive 160 hours of paid vacation annually for new hires (subject to manager approval), 11 paid company holidays, and 3 optional holidays.
• Depending on eligibility, employees may also have access to additional time-off benefits, including paid sick leave, up to two paid volunteer days per year, summer hours flexibility, and leaves of absence for medical, personal, parental, caregiver, bereavement, or military needs. Eligible employees also enjoy an annual Global Shutdown between Christmas Day and New Year's Day.
• U.S.-based job seekers can explore full benefit offerings at https://careers.bms.com/benefits

How We Work

Where you work matters – because collaboration, innovation and patient impact happen in many settings. Our roles are structured across four work models: site-essential, site-by-design, field-based and remote-by-design. The model assigned to this role is based on its core responsibilities. Learn more at https://careers.bms.com/ways-of-working.

Supporting People with Disabilities

BMS is dedicated to ensuring that people with disabilities can excel through a transparent recruitment process, reasonable workplace accommodations/adjustments and ongoing support in their roles. Applicants can request a reasonable workplace accommodation/adjustment prior to accepting a job offer. If you require reasonable accommodations/adjustments in completing this application, or in any part of the recruitment process, direct your inquiries to [e-mail]. Visit careers.bms.com/eeo-accessibility to access our complete Equal Employment Opportunity statement.

Candidate Rights

BMS will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records, pursuant to applicable laws in your area.

For roles based in Los Angeles County only:

If you live in or expect to work from Los Angeles County if hired for this position, please visit this page for important additional information: https://careers.bms.com/california-residents/

Data Protection

We will never request payments, financial information, or social security numbers during our application or recruitment process. Learn more about protecting yourself at https://careers.bms.com/fraud-protection.

Any data processed in connection with role applications will be treated in accordance with applicable data privacy policies and regulations.

If this posting is missing required information required by local law or incorrect, contact BMS at [e-mail] with the Job Title and Requisition number. Do not send application-related inquiries to this email. To check your application status, please login to your Candidate Home Account.

R1606490 : Patent Counsel/ Patent Agent, Innovation Law