Senior Director, Intellectual Property Strategy

Scorpion Therapeutics; Bridgewater (MA); On-site; USD 210,000 - 360,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical/dental/vision

401(k) match

Equity awards

Life/disability insurance

Learning & development

Employee resource groups

Job summary

Scorpion Therapeutics is seeking a Senior Director, IP Strategy to lead the global patent portfolio strategy for biologics, gene therapy, and related assets.

The role reports to the Chief IP Counsel, oversees prosecution and outside counsel, coordinates with R&D and product teams, and drives IP due diligence and disputes.

Ph.D. in life sciences and a US JD with 15+ years of pharma/biotech patent experience are required, with strong leadership and communications.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in life sciences required.
• J.D. in US, bar in good standing required.
• 15+ years patent experience in pharma/biotech, with significant in-house experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end IP strategy to maximize exclusivity.
• Draft, file, and prosecute strategic patent applications worldwide.
• Coordinate third-party challenges (oppositions, IPRs/PGRs) and litigation.

Skills

IP strategy

Patent prosecution

In-house counsel

Team leadership

Education

Ph.D. in Life Sciences

J.D. from US Law School

Tools

USPTO registration

Job description

About The Role

Senior Director, IP Strategy — patent attorney to lead strategy for the non-small molecule patent portfolio; reporting to Chief IP Counsel. Responsible for global prosecution and challenge (offensive/defensive) for all biologic programs; strengthening durability/value of protein therapeutics, gene therapy, and antisense oligonucleotide assets worldwide. Coordinates with R&D, CMC, development, and product teams to draft applications, direct prosecution, and perform IP due diligence. Manages IP team members handling prosecution.

What You’ll Do / Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end IP strategy to maximize exclusivity.


• Advise R&D and business teams on IP matters.


• Draft, file, and prosecute strategic patent applications worldwide (directly and via outside counsel/in-house team).


• Lead/coordinate third-party challenges (oppositions, US IPRs/PGRs) and litigation (US/Europe/China).


• Own patent strategy; partner on portfolio prioritization and risk assessment.


• Drive competitor intelligence and freedom-to-operate analyses.


• Identify IP gaps/risks/whitespace and ensure coordinated coverage.


• Clear publications (manuscripts, presentations, press releases, disclosures).


• Support BD/due diligence/executive discussions as asset IP expert.


• Manage and direct outside counsel globally.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in life science discipline.


• J.D. from accredited US law school; member in good standing of a US State Bar.


• 15+ years patent experience in pharma/biotech; significant in-house experience.

In Addition

• Expertise in prosecution for viral gene therapy, protein therapeutics, antisense oligonucleotides.


• Experience with patent disputes (oppositions, IPRs/PGRs, litigation).


• Ability to integrate prosecution + dispute strategy; strong global patent systems knowledge.


• Proven advisory ability to senior management on complex IP risk/strategy.


• Senior individual contributor/leader; excellent English communication and strong writing (USPTO responses).


• Initiative, emotional intelligence, interpersonal skills.


• Registered to practice before the US Patent and Trademark Office.

Benefits (U.S. highlights)

• Medical/dental/vision; mental health support; EAP.


• Paid time off; fertility/family-forming; caregiver support; flexible schedules.


• 401(k) match; annual equity awards; ESPP; company-paid life/disability.


• Learning and development programs; employee resource groups.