Senior Patent Agent: Small Molecule Biotech IP Strategist

Cytokinetics; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 176,000 - 205,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity options

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

Disability insurance

401k with employer match

Learning and wellness stipends

Paid time off

Job summary

Cytokinetics, a cardiovascular biopharmaceutical company, seeks a Senior Patent Agent in San Francisco to lead patent preparation and prosecution, especially for small-molecule therapeutics.

You will collaborate with R&D and Legal leadership, identify inventions, perform searches, and guide IP strategy across teams. A strong USPTO background and 5+ years in pharma/biotech are required.

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.
• At least 5 years of patent preparation and prosecution experience in pharma/biotech.
• Experience with small molecule therapeutics.
• Strong collaboration with scientists and multidisciplinary teams.
• Knowledge of U.S. patent law and global prosecution practices.
• Willingness to use AI tools.

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 related to compounds.
• Prosecute US applications and coordinate with outside and foreign counsel.
• Support IP diligence for licensing, collaboration, and business development.
• Review and advise on publications and disclosures.
• Attend research team meetings to guide IP strategy.
• Communicate IP risks to stakeholders for resolution.
• Participate in broader Legal department projects.

Skills

Patent strategy

Communication

Project management

Collaboration with scientists

IP due diligence

AI tools awareness

Education

Bachelor’s degree in life sciences (chemistry preferred)

Master or Ph.D. in organic chemistry preferred

Tools

USPTO

AI-driven patent tools

Job description

Cytokinetics, a cardiovascular biopharmaceutical company, seeks a Senior Patent Agent in San Francisco to lead patent preparation and prosecution, especially for small-molecule therapeutics.

You will collaborate with R&D and Legal leadership, identify inventions, perform searches, and guide IP strategy across teams. A strong USPTO background and 5+ years in pharma/biotech are required.