POSITION SUMMARY:
The Patent Agent is responsible for participating in the development and execution of global patent strategies and managing day to day patent activities to support multiple discovery and clinical development programs.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
These may include but are not limited to:
- Identifies inventions and captures high-value IP in collaboration with members of various discovery and development groups within the Company.
- Drafts high quality patent applications and prosecutes patents relating to inventions that are strategically aligned with the Company’s business objectives.
- Manages and improves processes for tracking innovations and competitor IP activities.
- Assesses freedom-to-operate for R&D colleagues upon request.
- Advises colleagues regarding IP-related issues, including technology transfer and legal and policy developments.
- Works and interacts with collaborators and other external strategic partners to implement global patent strategies.
- Communicates complex patent advice to team members at every level in the organization, with a wide range of scientific backgrounds.
- Assists with strategic IP due diligence, including conducting prior art and patent searches and analyzing the patent portfolios of competitors and potential collaborators.
- Evaluates IP risks and recommends solutions with little supervision.
- Supports preparation of Orange Book and patent term extension filings.
- Reviews proposed publications and assesses potential impact on the Company’s IP portfolio.
- Supports oppositions, post-grant challenges, licensing matters, and disputes.
- Supports Legal Department initiatives.
- Contributes to development of best practices within the Legal group.
- Manages the use of outside IP-related legal counsel effectively.
- Manages iEdison database updates to ensure compliance with laws that govern IP that was generated with support from government grants.
- Develops an overall strategy to reduce the cost on IP portfolio management.
- Attends and presents at appropriate scientific meetings and conferences.
- Other duties as assigned.
EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
- Graduate degree in Organic Chemistry, Ph.D. strongly preferred and a minimum of 5 years of experience patenting in life sciences, particularly in small molecule composition of matter patenting and some experience with a law firm preferred (an equivalent combination of experience and education may be considered)
- Registered to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
- Experience in patent preparation, U.S. and foreign prosecution, IP due diligence, and strategic counseling.
- Experience in managing and improving processes for tracking innovation and competitor IP activity.
- Exceptional written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills.
- High degree of professionalism and ethical standards.
- Excellent judgment and problem-solving abilities.
- Keen attention to detail.
- Ability to work closely and diligently with inventor(s) to draft patent application.
- Ability to influence colleagues at all levels across the organization.
- Ability to independently oversee patent legal matters, manage the use of outside legal counsel, and work collaboratively with research and business leads.
- Ability to develop practical processes and approaches and drive to completion.
- Ability to set and meet aggressive deadlines, handle multiple complex legal matters, and complete projects in a timely manner.
TECHNICAL KNOWLEDGE REQUIRED:
Equipment: PC, scanners, voice mail and e-mail systems, and common office machines, or ability to be trained.
Software Knowledge: Windows, MS Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and Scifinder, Chemdraw.
EFFORT REQUIRED/ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS:
Physical Activities: On a continuous basis, sit at desk for a long period of time; intermittently answer telephone and write or use a keyboard to communicate through written means. Some walking and lifting up to 20 lbs. may be required. The noise level in the work environment is usually low to moderate. The physical demands described above are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions and responsibilities of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions and responsibilities.
TRAVEL:
Travel may be required up to 10% of your time.
ABOUT CRINETICS:
Crinetics Pharmaceuticals Inc. (www.crinetics.com) is a clinical stage pharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development, and commercialization of novel therapeutics for rare endocrine diseases and endocrine-related tumors. Crinetics’ benefit package includes health insurance, stock options, ESPP, a 401k, paid time off, and the company provides a dog-friendly work environment. Crinetics is an EEO/AA/Disability/Vets employer.