Director/Sr. Director, Intellectual Property
Seaport Therapeutics is seeking an experienced IP attorney to join their legal team. This position will report to the General Counsel and will be an in-office role 3-4 days per week.
The Company has a proven strategy of advancing clinically validated mechanisms previously held back by limitations that are overcome with its proprietary GlyphTM technology platform. The therapeutic candidates in its pipeline of first and best-in-class medicines are based on the Glyph platform, which is uniquely designed to enable oral bioavailability, bypass first-pass metabolism and reduce hepatotoxicity and other side effects. Seaport is led by an experienced leadership team that was involved in inventing and advancing KarXT and other neuropsychiatric medicines and are guided by an extensive network of renowned scientists, clinicians and key opinion leaders across neurological specialties. For more information, please visit www.seaporttx.com
Responsibilities:
- Primarily focus on small molecule portfolio prosecution and strategy; conducting prior art searches, competitive landscape analysis, patentability, validity, non-infringement, and freedom to operate analyses.
- Develop a thorough understanding of current and planned business activities, programs, competitors, and markets and keep up-to-date on developing legal trends, laws and regulations.
- Lead IP strategy for R&D project teams and establish positive working relationships with the project teams by acting as their advisor on a variety of IP related issues.
- Actively mine for patentable inventions by partnering with the scientists to build a robust intellectual property portfolio.
- Serve as a strategic partner and IP thought leader for the Company in discovery, research, manufacturing, and development on patent, regulatory data exclusivity, trademark, trade secret, and other intellectual property issues.
- Collaborate with outside counsel, R&D, business development, and other functions as needed on patent filing and prosecution matters.
- Build and maintain a strong intellectual property portfolio to support the Company’s R&D, clinical, manufacturing, and commercialization efforts.
- Support corporate development, business development and research collaborations, including due diligence assessments, advise on contract drafting and negotiation, and alliance management.
- Monitor patent trends and case law developments in the US and major markets, and adjust IP strategies.
- Review draft publications and presentations.
Skills and Qualifications:
- J.D. degree with admission to a state bar and registered to practice before the U.S. PTO, with at least 6-8 years of relevant IP experience in the biotech/pharmaceutical industry, including significant large firm and in-house experience.
- Advanced degree in organic chemistry or biochemistry is strongly desired.
- Direct experience in small molecule patent prosecution, patent portfolio development and management, and managing products through development, marketing approval and post-approval preferred.
- Must be comfortable participating in all aspects of intellectual property law including FTO, non-infringement, and invalidity analyses, IP due diligence, contract IP terms, and licensing negotiations.
- Practical problem solver with ability to make data informed decisions, confidence in making difficult decisions independently, and demonstrated capabilities in establishing business practices to manage legal and other risks.
- Exceptionally strong communicator, supportive interpersonal team player, talented at collaborating cross- functionally to communicate complex information to senior management.
- Ability to work in dynamic, fast-paced team environment, flexible and responsive and self-starter with the ability to act independently as well as collaboratively across the business.
