Director, Intellectual Property

Job Summary

About IDEAYA Biosciences: IDEAYA is a precision medicine oncology company committed to the discovery, development, and commercialization of transformative therapies for cancer. Our approach integrates expertise in small‑molecule drug discovery, structural biology, and bioinformatics with robust internal capabilities in identifying and validating translational biomarkers to develop tailored, potentially first‑in‑class targeted therapies aligned to the genetic drivers of disease. We have built a deep pipeline of product candidates focused on synthetic lethality and antibody‑drug conjugates, or ADCs, for molecularly defined solid tumor indications.

Our mission is to bring forth the next wave of precision oncology therapies that are more selective, more effective, and deeply personalized with the goal of altering the course of disease and improving clinical outcomes for patients with cancer.

Location:

South San Francisco

IDEAYA Biosciences is seeking an experienced Intellectual Property (IP) Attorney. Reporting directly to the Vice President of Intellectual Property, this role will support the Company’s intellectual property function to protect the Company’s small molecule product candidates. The ideal candidate will enjoy working collaboratively with inventors across various departments, senior scientific leaders, and the legal team.

This position is based in our South San Francisco headquarters and requires you to be onsite four days per week in accordance with company policy.

• Global IP portfolio management, including preparing and prosecuting patent applications focused on small molecules, and developing IP strategy
• Partner with cross‑departmental teams to understand project technology, identify patentable inventions, and implement protection strategies
• Identify and evaluate complex risks (e.g., patentability, infringement, validity) and develop business‑focused mitigation strategies
• Conduct freedom‑to‑operate reviews, analyze third‑party patent positions, and guide overall IP strategy
• Perform IP due diligence and provide support for business development opportunities
• Manage external legal counsel and ensure compliance with global IP laws and regulations
• Coordinate and manage patent filings and strategy with collaborators and licensors
• Assist in building IP department infrastructure and policies, and provide internal IP training
• Monitor and assess competitive IP landscape and industry trends for risk and opportunity analysis

• Ph.D. in Chemistry, preferably Organic Chemistry, or Master’s in Organic Chemistry
• Juris Doctorate from an ABA‑credited law school and a member in good standing of the California Bar, or the ability to qualify as California Registered In‑House Counsel
• Registered before the United States Patent and Trademark Office
• Minimum seven years of experience in providing IP counsel and support in the pharmaceutical small molecules (patent preparation and prosecution, life‑cycle management, opinion, and IP strategy), including preferably 2–3 years in‑house experience
• Proven track record developing and implementing patent strategies with demonstrated success securing meaningful patent protection for products and related technology
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and cooperatively in a fast‑paced start‑up environment with internal teams and to respond in a timely and effective manner
• Must have strong analytical skills and the ability to interpret complex scientific and legal information
• Proficiency in using scientific and IP databases
• Must have excellent written and verbal communication skills and attention to detail

All employees are expected to act with integrity and in full compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and IDEAYA policies, including IDEAYA’s Code of Conduct. Employees must demonstrate good judgement and ethical behavior in all business activities, maintain patient and product safety as a top priority, and report any suspected violations of law or Company policy through appropriate channels.

Along with our inspiring mission and highly collaborative and inclusive environment, IDEAYA offers a competitive…