VP, Intellectual Property – Biologics

Scorpion Therapeutics; California (MO); On-site; USD 308,000 - 420,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) match

Paid time off

Medical/dental/vision

Equity incentives

Parental leave

Job summary

Scorpion Therapeutics, based in the United States, seeks a Strategic IP leader to direct worldwide IP efforts for the company’s US-based biologics portfolio, including patent prosecution, maintenance, and enforcement. You will lead the in-house IP team and manage outside counsel.

Reporting to the Global Head of Intellectual Property, you will oversee drafting, due diligence, FTO analyses, and global strategy, while mentoring senior staff and guiding budgets.

Qualifications

• JD and California admission preferred.
• 15+ years IP experience in biotech.
• Registered to practice before USPTO.
• Strong analytical, organizational and cross-functional business acumen.
• Demonstrated leadership influencing senior management; ability to mentor and manage.
• Patent expertise: prosecution, due diligence, and litigation experience (biosimilar).

Responsibilities

• Oversee in-house patent team (US biologics) and outside counsel.
• Report to Global Head of IP; participate on IP leadership team.
• Draft/review IP work product; provide hands-on input.
• Identify worldwide patent opportunities/risks.
• Lead IP due diligence, technology assessments, and FTO for strategic transactions; supervise outside counsel.
• Counsel stakeholders on protecting/defending IP worldwide, including lead assets and early-stage research.
• Manage patent proceedings, challenges, disputes, litigation (biosimilar).
• Build budgets and forecast resources for patent drafting/prosecution/maintenance/enforcement.
• Enhance IP processes and portfolio reviews (long-range planning, invention disclosures).

Skills

IP leadership

California bar admission

Biologics patent expertise

USPTO registration

Leadership

Strategic counseling

Patent prosecution

Cross-functional communication

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

Advanced degree in biology/chemistry

Job description

About The Role

Strategic leader responsible for worldwide intellectual property (IP) efforts for the company’s US-based biologics portfolio, including patent prosecution, maintenance, and enforcement. Leads the in-house IP team and outside counsel relationships.

Responsibilities

• Oversee and strategically manage in-house patent team (US biologics) and related outside counsel.
• Serve on IP leadership team reporting to the Swiss-based Global Head of Intellectual Property.
• Draft and review IP work product; direct and provide hands‑on input.
• Identify and navigate worldwide patent opportunities/risks.
• Drive IP due diligence, technology assessments, and freedom-to-operate (FTO) for strategic transactions; supervise outside counsel.
• Counsel key stakeholders on protecting/defending IP worldwide (including lead assets and early‑stage research).
• Manage in-house/outside counsel for IP proceedings, challenges, disputes, litigation (including biosimilar litigation).
• Build budgets, forecast resources for patent drafting/prosecution/maintenance/enforcement.
• Enhance IP processes (portfolio reviews, long-range planning, patent review committee, invention disclosures, pre-publication review, IP contract provisions).

Requirements / Skills

• JD; admission to practice in California preferred.
• 15+ years IP experience with significant in-house and/or law firm biologic drug patent experience.
• Advanced degree in biology, chemistry, or related field.
• Registered to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (required).
• Strong analytical, organizational, interpersonal, and cross-functional business acumen.
• Demonstrated leadership influencing senior management (C‑suite); ability to mentor and manage; strong written/oral communication.
• Patent expertise: preparation, US/foreign prosecution, IP due diligence, strategic counseling, and IP litigation (incl. biosimilar litigation; market exclusivity‑related regulatory aspects).

Compensation / Benefits

• Annual base salary: $308,000–$420,000; annual bonus target 40% of earned base; equity long-term incentive eligibility.
• Benefits: retirement savings with company match, paid vacation/holidays/personal days, paid caregiver/parental and medical leave, and medical/prescription drug/dental/vision coverage.