Executive Director, IP

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in United States.

📋 Description

• Develop and enhance the intellectual property strategy for 4DMT products and platforms; provide updates on the IP strategy to executive leadership as necessary.

• Oversee the implementation of critical components of 4DMT’s intellectual property strategy, managing the patent, trade secret, and trademark portfolio while executing a plan for IP lifecycle management.

• Guide external counsel in the drafting and prosecution of applications and in responding to office actions; direct outside counsel in assessing the patentability of invention submissions and the registrability of trademarks on a global scale; manage associated outside counsel budgets.

• Identify strategic opportunities for patent protection, trade secret safeguarding, and trademark registration; work collaboratively with R&D, CMC, Clinical Science, and other departments to proactively discover and develop patentable intellectual property for preparation, filing, and prosecution.

• Manage analyses related to patentability, freedom-to-operate, infringement, validity, and regulatory exclusivity.

• Provide support and management for IP disputes and administrative proceedings, including oppositions and post-grant challenges.

• Identify and monitor 4DMT trade secrets, offering counsel on the company’s trade secret protection practices.

• Contribute an IP perspective and counseling during 4DMT meetings and present on various IP topics.

• Advise and train internal clients on intellectual property practices and policies.

• Conduct IP due diligence for business development initiatives and assist with IP due diligence related to financing activities.

• Draft, review, and negotiate agreements that support R&D and CMC functions, including NDAs, MTAs, MSAs, sponsored research agreements, consulting agreements, and licenses.

• Collaborate with Legal colleagues, Business Development, and other essential stakeholders on significant strategic agreements, such as licenses, collaboration agreements, and other business development initiatives.

• Assist with other Legal Department matters, including litigation support, SEC reporting (IP-related sections), records management, compliance activities, and template projects.

• Perform additional duties as assigned; this job description does not limit management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities at any time.

⛳️ Requirements

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree or its equivalent from an accredited law school.

• J.D. or M.S. in molecular biology, genetics, biochemistry, or another biological field related to the biopharma industry.

• Admission to the bar of at least one U.S. state.

• Registration to practice before the United States Patent and Trademark Office.

• At least 14 years of patent prosecution experience as an attorney in the life sciences sector, specifically in biopharma (which may include a mix of law firm and in-house experience).

• Strong expertise in patent, trade secret, and trademark practices, along with current U.S. and international patent, trade secret, and trademark laws.

• In-house experience and knowledge of drug development, with a preference for expertise in genetic medicines; experience within one or more publicly traded, commercial-stage biotechnology, pharmaceutical, or biopharmaceutical companies is strongly preferred.

• Proficient in managing outside IP counsel and non-attorney legal staff.

• Experience advising life sciences R&D and CMC teams on day-to-day transactions, including reviewing and negotiating confidentiality agreements, manufacturing agreements, material transfer agreements, sponsored research agreements, master services agreements, consulting agreements, and licenses.

• Previous experience providing IP insights on life sciences strategic transactions.

• Prior experience in IP litigation.

• Exceptional analytical and organizational skills with a proven ability to collaborate effectively and manage multiple projects under deadline pressure.

• Outstanding communication (both verbal and written), listening, negotiation, and presentation abilities.

• Strong interpersonal skills with a proven track record of influencing and partnering across all levels of the organization.

• Highest integrity, excellent judgment, and the capability to proactively identify and effectively communicate legal issues to the Chief Legal Officer and other members of management.

🏝️ Benefits

• Equal employment opportunities for all employees and job applicants, regardless of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, status as a covered veteran, or any other category protected under applicable federal, state, provincial, and local laws.