Senior Counsel - Biotech Patent Law

Amgen Inc. (IR); Cambridge (MA); On-site; USD 250,000 - 339,000; Full time

Job summary

Amgen Inc. in the United States seeks a Senior Counsel in Biotech Patent Law to develop and manage a global intellectual property strategy for Amgen’s therapeutics and pipeline. You will draft, file, and prosecute patents, conduct prior art reviews, and support due diligence in strategic transactions.

The role requires strong legal drafting, analytic skills, and experience with biopharma IP, including nucleic acid therapies. Remote work options within the U.S. may be considered.

Qualifications

• J.D./LL.M. from an accredited law school and admission to practice in a U.S. jurisdiction.
• Registered to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
• Six+ years of experience practicing patent or IP law in biopharma or life sciences.
• Ten+ years of experience in biopharma IP law (preferred).
• Experience with nucleic acid therapeutics and related biotech IP is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and execute a global IP strategy for Amgen’s therapeutic products and candidates.
• Draft, file, and prosecute patent applications worldwide and conduct prior art searches.
• Provide IP due diligence in strategic transactions and draft/negotiate IP provisions in agreements.
• Draft and negotiate IP provisions in transactional agreements and advise R&D/business partners on IP matters.
• Assist with litigation-related matters and support PTAB, oppositions, and related proceedings.

Skills

IP strategy

Patent drafting

Patent prosecution

Due diligence

Client advisory

Education

J.D./LL.M.

Advanced degree in molecular biology/related field

Job description

Senior Counsel - Biotech Patent Law

Career Category Law/Legal Job Description Join Amgen’s Mission of Serving Patients At Amgen, if you feel like you’re part of something bigger, it’s because you are. Our shared mission—to serve patients living with serious illnesses—drives all that we do. Since 1980, we’ve helped pioneer the world of biotech in our fight against the world’s toughest diseases. With our focus on four therapeutic areas –Oncology, Inflammation, General Medicine, and Rare Disease– we reach millions of patients each year. Amgen is advancing a broad and deep pipeline of medicines to treat cancer, heart disease, inflammatory conditions, rare diseases, and obesity and obesity-related conditions. As a member of the Amgen team, you’ll help make a lasting impact on the lives of patients as we research, manufacture, and deliver innovative medicines to help people live longer, fuller happier lives. Our award-winning culture is collaborative, innovative, and science based. If you have a passion for challenges and the opportunities that lay within them, you’ll thrive as part of the Amgen team. Join us and transform the lives of patients while transforming your career.

What you will do

Let’s do this. Let’s change the world. In this vital role you will develop, implement, and execute a global intellectual property strategy for protecting Amgen’s therapeutic products and product candidates (e.g., antibodies, dual targeting molecules, immunotherapeutics, RNA therapies, or cell-based therapies), including formulations, process development, and manufacturing methods relating to Amgen’s pipeline and in-line products. In addition, you will conduct IP due diligence activities in support of Amgen’s strategic transactions and assist in the drafting and negotiation of IP provisions in various types of transactional agreements.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Working closely with Amgen scientists to identify patentable inventions
• Drafting, filing and prosecuting patent applications worldwide
• Conducting prior art searches
• Analyzing patents and preparing freedom-to-operate opinions
• Conducting IP due diligence in support of licensing, research collaboration, and acquisition activities
• Assisting in the drafting and negotiating of IP provisions of transactional agreements
• Providing legal advice and counsel to R&D and Business partners on a wide range of IP related matters
• Assisting with litigation-related matters and challenging/defending patents in PTAB proceedings, opposition proceedings, and other forums

You will work individually, in legal teams, and in cross-functional research and business teams across various geographies. This role will ideally be based in proximity to Amgen's research site in South San Francisco, California, corporate headquarters in Thousand Oaks, California or Cambridge MA OR as a remote position in the United States.

What we expect of you

We are all different, yet we all use our unique contributions to serve patients. The dynamic professional we seek is an attorney with these qualifications.

Basic Qualifications:

• J.D. degree or LL.M. degree from an accredited law school, admission to practice law in a U.S. jurisdiction
• Registered to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
• Six (6) years of experience practicing patent or intellectual property law in the biopharma or life sciences space

Preferred Qualifications:

• Ten (10) or more years of experience practicing patent or intellectual property law focused in the biopharma or life sciences space, including pre-JD experience as a patent agent
• Experience in all aspects of U.S. and foreign intellectual property law relating to biotechnology at a law firm or biotechnology/pharmaceutical corporation
• Experience with patent preparation and prosecution related to nucleic acid therapeutics
• An advanced degree such as a master’s degree or Ph.D. in molecular biology, cell biology, microbiology, biochemistry, genetics, immunology, or related field
• Experience with conducting IP due diligence for various types of transactions, including licensing and research collaborations
• Experience with drafting and negotiating IP provisions of agreements
• Excellent analytic, legal drafting and oral and written communication skills
• Strong management and leadership skills; strong client service focus; ability to work independently and in teams; ability to work efficiently, to prioritize workflow, meet demanding deadlines, and manage multi-dimensional projects in a fast-paced environment
• Experience in U.S. and/or foreign adversarial proceedings (such as patent litigation, Inter Partes Reviews, Post Grant Reviews, or oppositions)

What you can expect of us

From our competitive benefits to our collaborative culture, we’ll support your journey every step of the way. The expected annual salary range for this role in the U.S. (excluding Puerto Rico) is posted. Actual salary will vary based on several factors including but not limited to, relevant skills, experience, and qualifications. In addition to the base salary, Amgen offers a Total Rewards Plan, based on eligibility, comprising of health and welfare plans for staff and eligible dependents, financial plans with opportunities to save towards retirement or other goals, work/life balance, and career development opportunities that may include: A comprehensive employee benefits package, including a Retirement and Savings Plan with generous company contributions, group medical, dental and vision coverage, life and disability insurance, and flexible spending accounts A discretionary annual bonus program, or for field sales representatives, a sales-based incentive plan Stock-based long-term incentives Award-winning time-off plans Flexible work models where possible.

Sponsorship

Sponsorship for this role is not guaranteed.

Equal Opportunity

As an organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for people around the world, Amgen fosters an inclusive environment of diverse, ethical, committed and highly accomplished people who respect each other and live the Amgen values to continue advancing science to serve patients. Together, we compete in the fight against serious disease. Amgen is an Equal Opportunity employer and will consider all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, or any other basis protected by applicable law. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Amgen will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance.

Salary Range 250,321.60USD -338,670.40 USD

Amgen is committed to unlocking the potential of biology for patients suffering from serious illnesses by discovering, developing, manufacturing and delivering innovative human therapeutics. This approach begins by using tools like advanced human genetics to unravel the complexities of disease and understand the fundamentals of human biology. Amgen focuses on areas of high unmet medical need and leverages its biologics manufacturing expertise to strive for solutions that improve health outcomes and dramatically improve people’s lives. A biotechnology pioneer since 1980, Amgen has grown to be one of the world's leading independent biotechnology companies, has reached millions of patients around the world and is developing a pipeline of medicines with breakaway potential. For more information, visit www.amgen.com and follow us on www.twitter.com/amgen