IP Counsel, Life Sciences Patents

Anthropic•San Francisco, NY

4d•Hybrid

About The Position

Anthropic is hiring a life sciences patent counsel to work alongside researchers advancing biomedical progress, including teams conducting wet-lab experiments. The role manages patent strategy and filings for the company’s life sciences research, from initial discussions with scientists through global prosecution, and serves as an in-house expert on patent questions arising from the use of AI as a research tool. The counsel will partner with the patents lead, the Head of IP, Research Legal, Life Sciences Counsel, and outside counsel to build and implement a patent program that supports researchers and partners and aligns with Anthropic’s mission.

Requirements

Juris Doctor (JD), Bachelor of Laws (LLB), or equivalent law degree, and eligibility under local licensing requirements to work as in-house counsel where based.
A degree or equivalent training in a life sciences or chemistry field, such as molecular biology, biochemistry, genetics, bioengineering, or organic chemistry.
Substantial hands-on experience drafting and prosecuting U.S. life sciences patent applications and directing foreign prosecution through local counsel.
Lead responsibility for a patent portfolio, including budget management and management of outside or foreign counsel.
Experience making inventorship determinations and resolving ownership questions in multi-party research arrangements, such as arrangements with universities and other partners.
Excellent communication skills and ability to translate legal risks into practical guidance for scientists, researchers, and business partners.
Low-ego, high-empathy approach and a willingness to take hands-on responsibility where needed.
Strong curiosity about AI and science and commitment to responsible AI development.

Nice To Haves

10 or more years of patent experience, including time as a patent agent, technical specialist, or examiner, at a law firm, biotech or pharmaceutical company, or both; ability to work independently and become effective quickly.
Advanced degree in a life sciences or chemistry field.
Experience with AI/ML companies or inventions at the intersection of biology and machine learning.
Working knowledge of interactions among patents, regulatory exclusivity, trade secrets, and open science.
Familiarity with biosecurity, dual-use research, or export control considerations in the life sciences.
Experience using AI to optimize work and interest in a fast-paced, innovative environment.

Responsibilities

Manage U.S. and international patent strategy and filings for life sciences research, including invention harvesting, filing decisions, drafting oversight, prosecution, and outside counsel management.
Advise life science research teams on patent matters and design and implement scalable guidance and processes for the company’s growing life sciences work.
Make inventorship determinations for AI-assisted research and advise on inventor declarations and the duty of candor.
Develop claim and filing strategies for biological and chemical inventions, platform technologies, and computational methods, addressing written description, enablement, eligibility, and obviousness.
Partner with Research Legal and Communications on timing for publications, preprints, presentations, and open-source releases.
Advise on patent provisions in agreements with life sciences and biopharma counterparties, including ownership of inventions and improvements, and support patent diligence and freedom-to-operate analyses.
Anticipate legal developments affecting AI technologies in life sciences and biopharma and provide strategic guidance to leadership.