Patent Counsel/Senior Patent Counsel

BioSpace; Somerset (NJ); Hybrid; USD 180,000 - 280,000; Full time

Job summary

Legend Biotech is seeking a Patent Counsel/Senior Patent Counsel to lead IP strategy for biopharma programs. The role is hybrid (3 days/week) with travel between Bridgewater/NJ and R&D sites in Philadelphia and Somerset.

You will partner with legal, science, and business teams to strengthen global patent protection for next‑gen therapies. Ideal candidates have 8+ years in life sciences patent work, USPTO admission, and a strong scientific background in immunology or related fields.

Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree in biological sciences; immunology/cell biology preferred.
• J.D. and USPTO admission required; strong US patent law knowledge essential.
• 8+ years in life sciences patent prosecution and drafting.
• Experience supporting business development, licensing, and transactional IP.
• Current bar in at least one US state; strong portfolio reasoning skills.

Responsibilities

• Draft, prosecute, and manage global patent portfolios for large molecules.
• Advise on IP strategy, freedom-to-operate, and risk mitigation.
• Collaborate with business development, licensing, and external counsel.
• Provide education on patent law to scientists and stakeholders.
• Navigate post‑grant proceedings and international filings as needed.
• Support cross‑functional projects and align IP with business objectives.

Skills

Legal writing

Patent prosecution

Strategic IP management

Cross-functional collaboration

Negotiation

Analytical thinking

Education

J.D. (US law degree)

Biological sciences degree

Job description

Legend Biotech is a global biotechnology company dedicated to treating and, one day, curing life‑threatening diseases. Headquartered in Bridgewater, New Jersey, we are advancing the next generation of cell therapy through a portfolio of innovative technologies, including autologous, allogeneic, and in vivo cell therapy approaches. Our research spans chimeric antigen receptor T‑cell (CAR‑T), T‑cell receptor (TCR‑T), natural killer (NK) cell‑based therapies, and other emerging platforms designed to transform the treatment of serious diseases. From our global network of research and development sites, we are committed to discovering and developing safe, effective, and cutting‑edge therapies for patients worldwide.

Legend Biotech entered into a global collaboration agreement with Johnson & Johnson to jointly develop and commercialize CARVYKTI® (ciltacabtagene autoleucel; cilta‑cel). Through this strategic partnership, we combine complementary expertise and capabilities to advance innovative immunotherapies for patients living with multiple myeloma.

Legend Biotech is seeking a Patent Counsel/Senior Patent Counsel as part of the Legal team based in either Philadelphia, PA or Somerset, NJ.

Role Overview

Legend Biotech’s Intellectual Property team is seeking a Patent Counsel/ Senior Patent Counsel with large molecule expertise, including antibody and process development experience. Experience in cell and gene therapy and gene therapy platforms is a plus. As a partner and business strategist, this individual contributor will push the boundaries of what is possible in a highly competitive industry. This position reports directly to the Global Head of Intellectual Property in Legend’s Legal Department. Come join our passion for creating IP strategies that will enable Legend to improve the lives of patients worldwide. This is a hybrid position (currently 3 days a week). There is expected to be some travel between Legend Headquarters in Bridgewater NJ and Legend’s R&D locations in Philadelphia PA and Somerset, NJ.

Key Responsibilities

Driving strategic IP procurement and management of global intellectual property, including drafting and prosecuting patent portfolios, working with outside counsel, and serving as a key legal partner onbusiness development, licensing, collaboration, acquisition, and other strategic transactions.

Responsibilities include supporting IP-focused due diligence, evaluating transaction‑related risks and opportunities, advising on intellectual property strategy, and conducting freedom‑to‑operate,infringement, validity, and risk assessment and mitigation analyses.

Managing the prosecution of active global dockets, including handling U.S. and foreign patent applications as well as post‑grant proceedings (e.g., reexamination, reissue, post‑grant review. foreignoppositions and appeals), as necessary.

Rendering due diligence assessments, freedom‑to‑operate, infringement, and validity analyses, and risk evaluation and mitigation strategies.

Identifying and exploiting new strategic opportunities and approaches by leveraging a deep understanding of patent law and a knowledge of the competitive landscape.

Partnering effectively with relevant stakeholders at all levels and of the global Legend organization and across all phases of research, development, and commercialization to provide clear, strategic business enabling strategies.

Influencing business leaders as a trusted advisor and thought partner.

Deploying in-depth patent and scientific expertise to provide education, guidance, and advice on patent law issues to scientists conducting research and other business stakeholders.

Maintaining and sharing expertise and knowledge on legal case law, rules, or regulations before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office as well as other relevant jurisdictional IP offices.

Reviewing, drafting, and negotiating intellectual property provisions in a broad range of commercial, research, development, manufacturing, collaboration, licensing, and other corporate agreements to ensure alignment with Legend's intellectual property strategy and business objectives.

Supporting business development, licensing, collaboration, and other strategic transactions by conducting IP diligence, assessing intellectual property assets and risks, and advising on transaction structure and intellectual property strategy.

Partnering in intellectual property‑related transactions, adverse proceedings, and litigation activities related to individual's program responsibilities.

Participating in group, department, and cross‑functional projects and initiatives where strategies, processes, operating standards and/or practices are developed and deployed to ensure highest quality practices and execution for all aspects of IP portfolios in a high performing, agile team setting.

Sustainably building enduring, productive external relationships with outside counsel, third‑party collaborators, and partners.

Requirements

Minimum requirements: Undergraduate degree in the biological sciences with focus on immunology, cell biology, cancer biology, biochemistry, and the like. Preference given to those with advanced degrees. Admission to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) required. U.S. law degree (J.D.)

8+ years of patent attorney experience in life sciences patent prosecution, with majority of experience in patent application drafting and prosecution in a pharma/biotech corporatesetting and/or representing such clients/matters in a law firm.

Admission to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) required.

A current “good standing” admission to at least one U.S. state bar is required.

Building and leveraging global IP portfolios for biopharmaceuticals at all stages of prosecution and enforcement;

Designing and executing complex freedom‑to‑operate analyses across different technologies and different jurisdictions.

Developing and communicating actionable risk mitigation strategies;

Experience supporting business development, licensing, collaboration, and other strategic transactions, including intellectual property due diligence, risk assessment, and negotiation of intellectual property‑related agreement provisions, is preferred.

Experience in adverse IP proceedings, including but not limited to US litigation, is a plus.

Experience in gene therapy, cell therapy, and RNA therapeutics is a plus.

Exhibits poise under pressure, solution‑oriented mindset, clear communication at all levels of an organization, effective collaboration across local and global teams, and active in‑person presence with IP/Legal and business stakeholders.

Tackles new challenges with curiosity and a growth‑mindset, effectively utilizing available resources, and an enthusiastic willingness to listen and learn fromothers.

Excels in working independently and proactively with minimal direction, strong organizational skills, and ability to prioritize and balance competing projects