Patent Attorney II
Novartis
Summary
Ready to shape the future of innovation at Novartis? As Patent Attorney II, you will play a pivotal role in protecting groundbreaking scientific discoveries and enabling life-changing medicines to reach patients worldwide. Partnering closely with R&D teams, you will drive strategic intellectual property decisions, build robust patent portfolios, and navigate complex legal landscapes to safeguard innovation across the product lifecycle. This role is based in our Cambridge or San Diego office 3x/week.
Job description
Key Responsibilities
- Provide clear, strategic, and business-focused counsel to Novartis R&D clients on invention protection, portfolio development, publication strategy, and third-party risks.
- Build and manage patent portfolios for Novartis R&D projects by identifying inventions and preparing, prosecuting, maintaining, and defending patent filings across areas such as biologics, protein therapeutics, antibodies, cell and gene therapies, nucleic acid-based technologies, manufacturing processes, formulations, methods of treatment, biomarkers, companion diagnostics, platforms, and clinical developments.
- Render legal opinions on patentability, validity, and freedom to operate, and develop patent strategies that strengthen IP positions, support freedom to operate.
- Apply deep knowledge of national patent law and practice, including relevant legal developments and patent trends, to shape strategy and advice.
- Understand and apply other forms of exclusivity protection, as appropriate.
- Communicate effectively with colleagues and leaders across the legal, IP, and R&D organizations.
- Build and manage relationships with outside counsel and collaborators, including extensive interaction within a multicultural global patent function.
- Conduct due diligence and provide counsel based on those assessments, including freedom-to-operate, infringement, validity, and risk evaluation.
- Provide IP support for transactional matters, including M&A, research collaborations, and in-licensing opportunities, with advice on contract drafting and negotiation.
- Ensure high-quality, timely delivery of work aligned with business goals and budgets.
Essential Requirements
- Juris Doctor degree with admission to at least one state bar, and registration to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
- PhD in molecular biology, cell biology, biochemistry, immunology, genetics, biotechnology, pharmaceutical sciences, or a related life sciences field.
- Seven or more years of experience as a patent attorney within a law firm or pharmaceutical or biotechnology environment.
- Strong technical expertise in the life sciences, including experience with biologics, antibodies, protein engineering, cell and gene therapies, nucleic acid technologies, immunology, or other advanced therapeutic modalities.
- Expertise in U.S. and PCT patent law, filing processes, and prosecution practice, with a detailed understanding of European patent law and other major global patent systems.
- Proven ability to partner with scientific and business stakeholders to deliver strategic intellectual property advice.
- Strong analytical, communication, and decision-making skills with high attention to detail.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities effectively within a fast-paced, global environment.
Requirements
- Juris Doctor degree with admission to at least one state bar
- Registration to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
- PhD in molecular biology, cell biology, biochemistry, immunology, genetics, biotechnology, pharmaceutical sciences, or a related life sciences field
- Seven or more years of experience as a patent attorney within a law firm or pharmaceutical or biotechnology environment
- Strong technical expertise in the life sciences, including experience with biologics, antibodies, protein engineering, cell and gene therapies, nucleic acid technologies, immunology, or other advanced therapeutic modalities
- Expertise in U.S. and PCT patent law, filing processes, and prosecution practice, with a detailed understanding of European patent law and other major global patent systems
- Proven ability to partner with scientific and business stakeholders to deliver strategic intellectual property advice
- Strong analytical, communication, and decision-making skills with high attention to detail
- Ability to manage multiple priorities effectively within a fast-paced, global environment
Benefits
- Health benefits
- Life insurance
- Disability benefits
- 401(k) with company contribution and match
- Vacation
- Personal days
- Holidays
- Performance-based cash incentive
- Annual equity awards
Company overview
Novartis is a global pharmaceutical company headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, dedicated to reimagining medicine to improve and extend people's lives. As an innovative medicines company, Novartis focuses on developing high-value treatments that address society's greatest disease burdens through technology leadership in research and development. The company operates across five core therapeutic areas: cardiovascular, renal and metabolic diseases; immunology; neuroscience; oncology; and hematology. With a workforce of approximately 75,883 employees worldwide, Novartis reaches nearly 300 million patients across 118 countries. The company leverages advanced technology platforms including targeted protein degradation, cell therapy, gene therapy, radioligand therapy, and xRNA to develop breakthrough treatments. Novartis maintains a strong portfolio of oncology drugs and generics while continuously expanding its pipeline through strategic acquisitions and internal research. The company's commitment extends beyond drug development to ensuring global access to medical innovations through novel access approaches and patient assistance programs.