Senior Patent Agent

Cytokinetics, Inc.; United States; Hybrid; USD 176,000 - 205,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

Health insurance

401k retirement plan

Job summary

Cytokinetics, Inc. is a specialty cardiovascular biopharmaceutical company pioneering muscle biology and developing small molecule therapies. The Senior Patent Agent will report to the Senior Director, Intellectual Property and collaborate with R&D and Legal leadership to build a robust IP portfolio.

The role emphasizes patent strategy, prosecution in the US, and support for licensing, collaboration, and business development. Strong communication and project management across teams are essential.

Qualifications

• Registered Patent Agent admitted to practice before the USPTO.
• Bachelor’s degree in a life science discipline, preferably chemistry.
• Master or Ph.D. in organic chemistry preferred.
• Experience as a medicinal chemist is a plus.
• At least 5 years of patent preparation and prosecution experience.
• In‑house biotechnology or pharmaceutical industry experience is preferred.
• Experience preparing and prosecuting patent applications involving small molecule therapeutics.
• Demonstrated experience partnering directly with scientists and multidisciplinary research teams.
• Strong understanding of U.S. patent law and global patent prosecution practices.
• Excellent analytical, communication, and project management skills.
• Experience supporting business development transactions and IP due diligence.
• Familiarity with and interest in the deployment of AI-driven patent tools is a strong plus.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and prosecute patent applications for Cytokinetics, focusing on small molecules.
• Identify patentable inventions through interactions with project teams.
• Conduct patentability and freedom-to-operate searches.
• Prosecute patent applications in the US and assist outside counsel.
• Support IP diligence for licensing, collaboration, and business development.
• Review and advise on publications and disclosures.
• Attend research meetings to guide patent strategy.
• Communicate IP risks to internal stakeholders.
• Participate in broader Legal department projects.

Skills

Patent preparation & prosecution

Communication

Project management

Analytical skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in life sciences (preferably chemistry)

Master's or Ph.D. in organic chemistry

Job description

Cytokinetics is a specialty cardiovascular biopharmaceutical company, building on its over 25 years of pioneering scientific innovations in muscle biology, and advancing a pipeline of potential new medicines for patients suffering from diseases of cardiac muscle dysfunction. The Senior Patent Agent will report to the Senior Director, Intellectual Property and play a key role in developing, protecting, and advancing Cytokinetics' intellectual property portfolio. This individual will serve as a strategic partner to Research and Development (R&D), and Legal leadership, helping identify and protect innovations that support the company's scientific and business objectives.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and prosecute patent applications for Cytokinetics, focusing on small molecules (e.g., composition of matter, crystalline forms, compositions, methods of treatment, etc).
• Identify patentable inventions through frequent interactions with project teams.
• Conduct and analyze patentability and freedom to operate searches related to compounds including small molecules and their use.
• Prosecute patent applications in the US and instruct outside and foreign counsel.
• Support IP diligence and provide other IP support for licensing, collaboration, and business development opportunities.
• Review and advise on proposed company scientific and medical publications and disclosures.
• Attend research team meetings to provide guidance and counsel on patent strategy.
• Communicate with internal stakeholders to understand business needs and ensure IP protection aligns with those needs.
• Identify IP risks and communicate those risks to internal stakeholders for discussion and resolution.
• Participate in and contribute to broader Legal department projects and initiatives beyond IP subject matter.

Qualifications

• Registered Patent Agent admitted to practice before the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
• Bachelor’s degree in a life science discipline, preferably chemistry.
• Master or Ph.D. in organic chemistry preferred.
• Experience as a medicinal chemist is a plus.
• At least 5 years of patent preparation and prosecution experience supporting pharmaceutical or biotechnology companies.
• In‑house biotechnology or pharmaceutical industry experience is preferred.
• Experience preparing and prosecuting patent applications involving small molecule therapeutics.
• Demonstrated experience partnering directly with scientists and multidisciplinary research teams.
• Strong understanding of U.S. patent law and global patent prosecution practices.
• Excellent analytical, communication, and project management skills.
• Experience supporting business development transactions and IP due diligence.
• Familiarity with and interest in the deployment of AI-driven patent tools is a strong plus.
• Willingness to evaluate and use AI tools is required.

#LI-HYBRID Pay Range: The expected salary range for this position based on the primary location of South San Francisco, CA is $175,500-$204,750. The base pay offered will take into account internal equity and may vary depending on the candidate's geographic region, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience among other factors.

Base salary is just one component of our competitive total compensation package, which includes equity in the form of stock options and/or restricted stock units, comprehensive health, dental, vision, life and disability insurance coverage, 401k retirement benefits with employer match, learning and wellness stipends, and paid time off. Note that benefits are subject to change and may vary based on jurisdiction of employment.

Our employees come from different backgrounds, and we celebrate those differences. We are looking for the best candidates for our open roles, but do not expect applicants to meet every qualification in order to be considered.

Cytokinetics is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Cytokinetics is a late-stage, specialty cardiovascular biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering, developing and commercializing first-in-class muscle activators and next-in-class muscle inhibitors as potential treatments for debilitating diseases in which cardiac muscle performance is compromised. As a leader in muscle biology and the mechanics of muscle performance, the company is developing small molecule drug candidates specifically engineered to impact myocardial muscle function and contractility.