VP, Intellectual Property – Biologics

Neurocrine Biosciences; California; Hybride; USD 308 000 - 420 000; Plein temps

Avantages offerts par ce poste

Retirement plan

Paid vacation

Holidays & personal days

Parental/medical leave

Health benefits

Résumé du poste

Neurocrine Biosciences seeks an experienced IP leader to oversee its US‑based biologics portfolio and to manage both in‑house and outside counsel. You will guide strategy, risk assessment and procurement of patent protections across global markets, reporting to the Global Head of Intellectual Property.

The role requires a JD and 15+ years of IP experience in biologics, plus strong leadership and cross‑functional collaboration to align IP with business goals.

Qualifications

• 15+ years IP experience with significant in‑house and/or law firm patent work related to biologic drugs.
• Registered to practice before the US Patent and Trademark Office.
• Acts as a trusted leader with strong strategy, vision and cross‑functional influence.

Responsabilités

• Overseeing the US‑based biologics IP portfolio and related outside counsel.
• Participating in the IP leadership team and reporting to the Global Head of IP.
• Drafting/reviewing IP work product and advising stakeholders.
• Managing IP staffing, budgets, and infrastructure to align with business needs.
• Leading IP due diligence, FTO analyses and strategic transactions oversight.
• Mentoring IP team members and coordinating with research, legal and management.

Connaissances

IP leadership

Patent prosecution

Biologic drugs

Juris Doctorate

California bar admission

US PTO registration

Strategic thinking

Budgeting & forecasting

Mentoring

Cross-functional collaboration

Formation

Juris Doctorate (JD)

Advanced degree in biology/chemistry

Description du poste

Who We Are: Neurocrine Biosciences is a leading biopharmaceutical company with a simple purpose: to relieve suffering for people with great needs. We are dedicated to discovering, developing and commercializing life-changing treatments for patients with under-addressed neurological, psychiatric, endocrine and immunological disorders. The company's diverse portfolio includes FDA-approved treatments for tardive dyskinesia, chorea associated with Huntington's disease, classic congenital adrenal hyperplasia, hyperphagia in Prader-Willi syndrome, endometriosis* and uterine fibroids*, as well as a robust pipeline including multiple compounds in mid- to late-phase clinical development across our core therapeutic areas. For more than three decades, we have applied our unique insight into neuroscience and the interconnections between brain and body systems to treat complex conditions. We relentlessly pursue medicines to ease the burden of debilitating diseases and disorders, because you deserve brave science. For more information, visit neurocrine.com, and follow the company on LinkedIn, X, Facebook and YouTube. (*in collaboration with AbbVie) At Neurocrine, strong leadership drives both business results and team success. We look for leaders who think strategically, anticipate what’s ahead and set clear direction, while building and empowering high-performing teams. Successful leaders foster an environment where people are motivated to do their best work and deliver meaningful, measurable impact through sound decision-making and accountability.

About the Role:

Responsible for the company's strategic intellectual property (IP) efforts worldwide for its US-based biologics portfolio. Supports the company's business in connection with IP portfolio objectives and management, with leadership responsibility for patent prosecution, maintenance and enforcement. A strategic leader of the in-house IP team and outside counsel relationships.

Your Contributions:

• Overseeing and strategically managing the portion of Neurocrine’s in-house patent team that is dedicated to its US-based biologics portfolio, as well as the related efforts by outside counsel.
• Participating actively in the company’s IP leadership team while reporting directly to Neurocrine’s Swiss-based Global Head of Intellectual Property.
• Providing hands‑on direction and input, to draft and review a wide variety of work product.
• Recommending and implementing changes as needed over time to IP‑related infrastructure and staffing to maintain good alignment between the company's needs, priorities and resources and the structure of the company's internal and external IP staffing and resources.
• Identifying and navigating patent opportunities and risks worldwide for Neurocrine's business, programs and operations for the US-based biologics portfolio.
• Driving IP due diligence, technology assessments and freedom to operate (FTO) analyses in potential strategic transactions (including partnerships, potential M&A, licensing and financing), as well as supervising outside counsel in the same.
• Counseling key stakeholders in protecting and defending IP rights worldwide, including the Global Head of Intellectual Property, the General Counsel, other senior management and the board of directors, with particular attention to management of the IP portfolio for Neurocrine's lead assets as well as early‑stage research programs.
• Providing broad‑based strategic and portfolio advice, with demonstrated leadership skills and a vision of success tied to larger organizational goals.
• Proactively counseling all levels of the organization on IP matters, ranging from broad strategic objectives to day‑to‑day collaboration with and input to research and development groups and teams.
• Managing in‑house and outside counsel in the conduct of IP‑related proceedings, challenges, disputes and litigation, including the management of biosimilar litigation matters.
• Generating budgets, forecasting expenses and resource needs for the drafting, prosecution, maintenance, and enforcement of Neurocrine's patents relating to its US-based biologics portfolio.
• Coaching and mentoring IP team members, and proactive in sharing knowledge and collaborating with Neurocrine teams and stakeholders.
• Conducting and enhancing the company's IP‑related processes and protections, including portfolio reviews and long‑range planning, patent review committee, invention disclosures, pre‑publication review, and drafting/review of IP‑related contract provisions.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements:

• Juris Doctorate (JD) and admission to practice in California preferred and 15+ years' of IP experience with significant in‑house and/or law firm patent experience related to biologic drugs.
• Advanced degree in biology, chemistry, or related field.
• Registered to practice before the US Patent and Trademark Office required.
• Acts as a 'trusted leader' across the company, a go‑to person for Sr. Management.
• Provides input into company strategy, vision and direction.
• Requires broad knowledge of the functional areas, business strategies, and the company’s goals.
• Possesses industry‑leading knowledge and identifies best practices for the company’s consideration.
• Strong analytical skills with demonstrated ability to structure and interpret data to drive decision‑making.
• Strong organizational, interpersonal skills are essential.
• Demonstrated ability to identify root cause issues, develop solutions and reduce complexity.
• Strong business acumen and ability to think and operate cross‑functionally in a fast‑paced, changing environment.
• Ability to think strategically and drive business.
• Quickly identifies and acts on opportunities, combining forethought with action based on an understanding of the external environment and company impact.
• High level of integrity and dependability with a strong sense of urgency and results oriented.
• Ability to apply best practices derived from institutional rigor.
• Proven leadership skills and ability, including influencing Sr. Management (C‑suite).
• Highly proficient at developing budgets and forecasts.
• Ability to effectively manage, mentor and train personnel and ability to motivate and influence personnel to achieve goals.
• Ability to effectively operate in a multi‑level matrix environment.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to communicate and formally present across all levels of organization, customer base, and outside parties.
• Exemplify Neurocrine’s core values of passion, integrity, collaboration, innovation, and tenacity.
• Project Exceptionally skilled at integrating legal advice with business acumen and sound judgment.
• Able to serve as a strong business partner, collaborator and manager.
• Proven ability to advise senior management and manage outside counsel.
• A broad range of patent‑related legal expertise required, including in patent preparation, both U.S. and foreign prosecution, IP due diligence, and strategic counseling.
• Expertise in overseeing IP litigation, including biosimilar litigation and the aspects of regulatory affairs related to market exclusivity.

Neurocrine Biosciences is an EEO/Disability/Vets employer. We are committed to building a workplace of belonging, respect, and empowerment, and we recognize there are a variety of ways to meet our requirements. We are looking for the best candidate for the job and encourage you to apply even if your experience or qualifications don’t line up to exactly what we have outlined in the job description.

Annual Base Salary:

The annual base salary we reasonably expect to pay is $308,000.00-$420,000.00. Individual pay decisions depend on various factors, such as primary work location, complexity and responsibility of role, job duties/requirements, and relevant experience and skills.

Benefits offered:

• a retirement savings plan (with company match)
• paid vacation
• holiday and personal days
• paid caregiver/parental and medical leave
• health benefits to include medical, prescription drug, dental and vision coverage in accordance with the terms and conditions of the applicable plans

We are a top place to work. Neurocrine Biosciences was named one of the FORTUNE Best Workplaces in Biopharma™ 2025. We were also named a Great Place to Work® Certified company.

Our Values:

• PASSION: We are driven and love what we do. We are committed to our goals and to making a difference.
• INTEGRITY: We do the right thing for patients and our community. We take accountability. We speak up.
• COLLABORATION: We trust one another. We are inclusive. We are respectful. We are transparent. Together we succeed.
• INNOVATION: We seek and create optimal solutions.
• TENACITY: We do not quit. We adapt. We accomplish what others cannot.

Come join our team during this exciting time of growth and opportunities!