Patent Attorney II

Novartis • Cambridge, MA

10d • $185,500 - $344,500

About The Position

The Patent Attorney II will protect scientific discoveries and enable medicines to reach patients by partnering with R&D teams on strategic intellectual property decisions. The role develops and manages patent portfolios and navigates legal issues to safeguard innovation throughout the product lifecycle. It is based in Cambridge, United States, or Basel, Switzerland; the posting directs candidates to a separate posting for Basel.

Requirements

• Juris Doctor degree, admission to at least one state bar, and registration to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
• Advanced degree in chemistry or a related field.
• Significant experience as a patent attorney in a law firm or pharmaceutical or biotechnology environment.
• Strong technical expertise in chemistry, preferably including small molecules, synthesis, or pharmaceutical development.
• Expertise in U.S. and PCT patent law, filing processes, and prosecution practice, with 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 and high attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities effectively in a fast-paced, global environment.

Nice To Haves

• Doctoral degree, strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide clear, strategic, business-focused counsel to R&D clients on invention protection, portfolio development, publication strategy, and third-party risks.
• Build and manage patent portfolios for R&D projects, including identifying inventions and preparing, prosecuting, maintaining, and defending filings related to molecular entities, processes, manufacturing, platforms, technologies, 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, and enable effective IP defense.
• Apply knowledge of national patent law, practice, legal developments, and patent trends to shape strategy and advice.
• Understand and apply other forms of exclusivity protection where appropriate.
• Communicate with colleagues and leaders across legal, IP, and R&D organizations.
• Build and manage relationships with outside counsel and collaborators, including interaction within a multicultural global patent function.
• Conduct due diligence and provide counsel on freedom to operate, infringement, validity, risk evaluation, and risk mitigation.
• Provide IP support for transactional matters, including M&A, research collaborations, and in-licensing, and advise on contract drafting and negotiation.
• Ensure high-quality, timely delivery of work aligned with business goals and budgets.

Benefits

• Performance-based cash incentive.
• Depending on the role level, eligibility to be considered for annual equity awards.
• For eligible US-based employees: health, life, and disability benefits.
• For eligible US-based employees: 401(k) with company contribution and match.
• Other benefits.
• Generous time off package including vacation, personal days, holidays, and other leaves.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree