Senior Counsel – Biotech Patent Law - Biosimilars

Amgen•Thousand Oaks, CA

4d•$250,322 - $338,670•Hybrid

About The Position

Amgen is hiring a Senior Counsel for its biotech patent law practice, focused on biosimilars. The role develops, implements, and executes market access strategies for biosimilar and/or innovator molecules, including freedom-to-operate analyses covering drug substance, drug product, formulations, processes, and methods of treatment. The position may be remote or hybrid from Amgen sites in Thousand Oaks, California; San Francisco, California; or Cambridge, Massachusetts, and requires availability during client group hours. Approximately 10% domestic and global travel is anticipated. The attorney handles intellectual property matters such as identifying relevant patents, conducting prior-art searches, analyzing third-party patents, developing legal arguments, drafting opinions, working with experts, and performing pre-litigation activities. The role also includes global freedom-to-operate strategy, patent application drafting and prosecution, patent litigation support, and counseling on intellectual property strategies related to Amgen’s business and research. The attorney works independently and with legal, business, and cross-functional teams.

Requirements

J.D. or LL.M. degree from an accredited law school.
Admission to practice law in a U.S. jurisdiction.
At least four years of experience practicing intellectual property law.
Registration to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

Nice To Haves

Seven or more years of experience practicing patent or intellectual property law.
Enthusiasm for joining a cutting-edge biosimilar practice group at a leading biotechnology company.
Experience in U.S. and/or foreign intellectual property law relating to biotechnology at a law firm or biotechnology/pharmaceutical corporation.
Experience in U.S. and/or foreign adversarial proceedings, such as patent litigation, Inter Partes Reviews, Post Grant Reviews, or oppositions, including developing and implementing a global freedom-to-operate strategy.
An undergraduate degree in the sciences and a working understanding of molecular biology, cell biology, microbiology, biochemistry, genetics, immunology, structural biology, pharmaceutics, or chemical engineering. An advanced degree, such as a Master’s or Ph.D., or research experience in one of these areas is preferred.
Excellent judgment, analytical skills, legal drafting, and oral and written communication skills.
Strong management and client counseling skills.
Ability to work independently and in teams, navigate ambiguity, work efficiently, prioritize workflow, meet fast-paced deadlines, and manage multifaceted projects in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

Develop, implement, and execute market access strategies for biosimilar and/or innovator molecules, including freedom-to-operate analyses for drug substance, drug product, formulations, processes, and methods of treatment.
Handle intellectual property matters, including identifying relevant patents, conducting prior-art searches, analyzing third-party patents, developing legal arguments, drafting opinions, working with experts, and performing pre-litigation activities.
Develop and implement global freedom-to-operate strategies for Amgen products in collaboration with other in-house attorneys.
Draft and prosecute patent applications and provide patent litigation support.
Develop and advise others on intellectual property strategies associated with Amgen’s business and research endeavors.
Work individually, in legal teams, and in cross-functional business teams.
Travel domestically and globally approximately 10% of the time.

Benefits

Health and welfare plans for staff and eligible dependents.
Financial plans with opportunities to save toward retirement or other goals.
Work/life balance and career development opportunities.
Comprehensive employee benefits package, including a Retirement and Savings Plan with generous company contributions.
Group medical, dental, and vision coverage.
Life and disability insurance.
Flexible spending accounts.
Discretionary annual bonus program.
Stock-based long-term incentives.
Award-winning time-off plans.
Flexible work models where possible.