Counsel, Intellectual Property

Cambridge, MA, United States

Job Description

The Broad Institute of MIT & Harvard stands on the leading edge of biomedical research, with a mission to broadly disseminate discoveries and information to the scientific community and the general public. The Broad’s research is pursued through a blend of academic and industrial-scale production of genetic, biological, and chemical outputs, with scientists from Broad, MIT, Harvard, and the Harvard-affiliated hospitals working side-by-side.

The mission of the legal function in the Office of Strategic Alliances and Partnering is to accelerate and expand the dissemination and translation of the Broad Institute’s emerging knowledge and novel discoveries through strategic partnering, licensing, and new ventures. The Broad Institute’s breakthrough innovations include novel therapeutics, biomarkers, diagnostics, drug development technologies, analysis tools, and more. Our research areas span a wide array of disease states with significant unmet needs, including cancer, cardiovascular disease, infectious diseases, inflammation, and autoimmune disorders, metabolic diseases, neglected diseases, orphan diseases, and psychiatric diseases. The legal function in the Office of Strategic Alliances and Partnering is active in establishing meaningful partnerships ranging from Broad Institute-based research and technology collaborations to joint drug development programs, technology licensing, and sponsored research opportunities. The Intellectual Property team is an integral part of the Office of Strategic Alliances and Partnering.

Responsibilities

Manage the Broad Institute’s intellectual property (“IP”) portfolio:

Identify scientific and technical discoveries for potential patent protection through regular communications with Broad Institute scientists. The initial portfolio will weighted towards small molecule therapeutics

Evaluate scientific and novel aspects of those discoveries for patentability, protection with other intellectual property including trademarks, and commercial applications

Ensure That IP Strategy Conforms With The Overall Strategic Goals Of The Broad Institute And Support The Achievement Of Institutional Goals, Which Include The Following

Manage the patenting process for inventions generated from multi-disciplinary research jointly owned by multiple Broad Institute partner institutions, and effectively communicate with the tech transfer offices of Broad Institute collaborating institutions

Manage outside counsel and supervise all work products to ensure compliance with Broad strategy and risk tolerance

Advise on IP matters, directing legal work, and overseeing the selection and engagement of outside legal experts when needed

In partnership with the Broad Institute’s transactions group, support negotiations of license, option, sponsored research, and collaboration agreements

Support Broad’s Alliance Managers in managing partnerships

Provide guidance and education for the Broad Institute community regarding intellectual property matters, including advising and responding to community questions/issues regarding intellectual property

Interact closely with Broad Institute scientific staff, including principal investigators, postdoctoral fellows, graduate and undergraduate students, and others

Other projects or duties as may be requested or required

Requirements

Registered US patent attorney

Ph.D. or P.Eng. desirable, but not required, based on years of experience in the life sciences. Strong chemistry background desirable. Potential IP areas include: biochemistry, biophysics, cellular/chemical biology, genomics, immunology, microbiology, molecular/systems biology, pharmacology, neuroscience, organic chemistry, synthetic biology, and biomedical/chemical engineering

Minimum five (5) or more years of experience as an attorney practicing U.S. and international biotechnology patent prosecution, including patent prosecution work such as formal prosecution training, first-hand drafting of patent applications and Office actions, correspondence with the USPTO, and direct responsibility for client management

Experience in licensing, and supporting licensing negotiations, of life science technologies is beneficial

Academic or pharma/biotech industry life science research experience is preferred

Strong organizational skills, including careful attention to detail and the ability to handle and prioritize multiple assignments and maintain strict deadlines through effective time management

Outstanding written and oral communication skills and the ability to quickly communicate complex issues clearly and succinctly

Experience in client service, capable of interacting with and providing guidance to a wide range of people and personalities, including faculty, students, venture capitalists, attorneys, partner institution IP professionals, industry executives, and staff at all levels, in a fast-paced and challenging environment

Entrepreneurial, proactive, collaborative, self-starter and highly independent, and able to work in a fast-paced environment

A passion for science and its application to improve public health

The Broad Institute will not offer visa sponsorship for this opportunity.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.

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