Senior Patent Counsel​/Agent; Molecule

The Position

Genentech’s Intellectual Property team is seeking a Senior Patent Counsel/Agent (Large Molecule) whose passion lies in creating and leveraging groundbreaking IP strategies that enable Genentech to “do now what patients need next.” As a key partner and business strategist, this individual will push the boundaries of what is possible in a highly competitive industry. This position reports into the IP Technology team in Genentech’s Legal Department, and will support therapeutics and technology IP portfolios.

Key responsibilities of this individual contributor role will include but not be limited to the following:

• Designing and delivering impactful global IP portfolios from invention capture to patent issuance and beyond for technologies and products, including large molecule pharmaceutical development candidates and products in combination with other modalities and across various development stages and therapeutic areas;
• Rendering legal opinions and providing guidance concerning issues of patentability, validity, and freedom-to-operate;
• Conducting due diligence investigations and analyses of in‑house and partnered programs (including freedom-to-operate, infringement and validity analyses);
• Maintaining strong knowledge of legal case law, rules and regulations before the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office as well as other jurisdictional IP offices.

• Prepare, file and prosecute patent applications with a primary focus on the protection of inventions and patent prosecution relating to large molecule therapeutics from “cradle to grave” and at diverse development stages, as well as matrixed support to other IP practice areas;
• Manage and prosecute a substantial and active global docket, including handling U.S. and foreign patent applications as well as post‑grant proceedings (e.g., reexamination, reissue, post‑grant review), including foreign oppositions and appeals, as they may arise;
• Balance competing priorities.

• Provide IP support for partnering and other agreements (e.g., major licensing agreements, research collaborations, MTAs, CDAs);
• Support intellectual property‑related transactional and litigation work;
• At times, direct and manage outside counsel, including overseeing budget as appropriate;
• Collaborate with colleagues around the globe on IP matters and as part of cross‑functional teams;
• Engage in clear communication, both oral and written, to all levels of the organization with a willingness to listen and learn from others;
• Influence business leaders as a trusted advisor and thought partner.

• 7+ years of patent attorney/agent experience in life sciences patent prosecution, with majority of experience in patent application drafting and prosecution in a pharma/biotech corporate setting and/or representing such clients/matters in a law firm;
• Admission to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) required;
• A United States law degree (J.D.) and a current “good standing” admission to at least one US state bar is required for attorney applicants;
• A degree in a biological science is required, with ideally a Ph.D. or other relevant advanced degree;
• Agreement and transactional experience is a plus;
• Experience with adverse proceedings (e.g., USPTO adverse proceedings, EPO adverse proceedings, U.S. litigation) is a plus;
• Key competencies include, but are not limited to, the following:
• Embraces a growth‑mindset and enjoys work in a fast‑paced and global organization;
• Excels at working independently and proactively with minimal direction, has strong organizational skills, and the ability to prioritize and balance competing projects and responsibilities;
• Engages as an active participant in Group, Department, and cross‑functional projects and initiatives where strategies, processes, operating standards and/or practices are developed and deployed, to ensure highest quality IP portfolios in a high performing, agile team setting.

This role is located onsite at Genentech’s South San Francisco, California campus, and a remote working arrangement is not available.

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