Senior Director, Intellectual Property (IP)
About The Position
Eikon Therapeutics is a new biopharmaceutical company employing revolutionary technology at the intersection of chemistry, engineering, computation, and biology to discover novel treatments for life-threatening diseases. Eikon’s discovery platform is built on groundbreaking innovations from its founders (Nobel Prize, 2014), culminating in the creation of microscopes which enable real time, molecular-resolution measurements of protein movement in living cells, thereby unlocking otherwise intractable classes of proteins as drug targets. Position We are seeking a highly experienced Senior Director of Intellectual Property (IP) to lead the development and execution of our global IP strategy in support of our mission to advance transformative therapies. Reporting to the Vice President, Intellectual Property, and based in Millbrae, CA, you will be responsible for overseeing a comprehensive IP portfolio that spans research, technology, and clinical development. In this role, you will work closely with cross-functional teams, including scientists, engineers, and clinical experts, to build and protect high-value intellectual property assets. You will provide strategic guidance on IP matters at all stages of development, ensuring alignment with business priorities to maximize the value of our innovations while mitigating risk in a dynamic competitive landscape. This role requires a results-oriented leader with the ability to navigate complex IP issues, drive strategic decision-making, and enhance the overall value of our IP portfolio. About You You are a strategic and hands-on IP leader with deep experience in biopharmaceutical intellectual property. You excel at translating complex science into strong, value-driven IP strategies that support discovery, development, and long-term business objectives. You are highly collaborative and comfortable partnering with scientific, technical, clinical, and business leaders to identify opportunities, manage risk, and guide sound decision-making in a fast-paced environment. You bring strong judgment, clear communication, and a proactive mindset, and are motivated by the opportunity to build, scale, and strengthen an IP function supporting transformative therapies.
Requirements
- Juris Doctor (JD) degree with 10+ years of intellectual property law experience, with significant in-house and/or law firm experience in the biopharmaceutical sector
- Licensed to practice law in at least one U.S. jurisdiction (active and in good standing)
- USPTO registration and eligibility to practice patent law
- Advanced scientific degree (PhD preferred) in biological and/or chemical sciences is required
- Strong global IP perspective, with experience managing patent portfolios
- Exceptional communication and negotiation skills, with the ability to convey complex IP issues to senior leadership and manage external counsel and partners
- Ability to manage multiple priorities and projects simultaneously in a fast-paced environment
- Proactive and results-driven, anticipating IP risks and opportunities to support business goals
- Detailed-oriented with excellent organizational skills, able to manage complex IP portfolios and projects
Responsibilities
- Foster strong, collaborative relationships with key stakeholders across the company, including the GC, R&D, CTO, and management teams to provide guidance on opportunities and risks related to intellectual property rights
- Develop, implement and manage global IP portfolio strategies to maximize value and strategic impact of IP assets for both current and future commercial opportunities
- Prepare and prosecute patent applications, manage the annual patent portfolio, and optimize the use of IP resources for maximum efficiency
- Perform freedom to operate/patentability searches, competitive landscape analyses, and due diligence work in support of R&D, CTO, and business development teams
- Provide IP transactional support for business transactions, clinical agreements, collaborative research agreements, and license and acquisition agreements
- Review proposed publications and presentations for potential impact on intellectual property strategy
- Manage outside counsel in the preparation and prosecution of patent applications worldwide
- Educate and advise on IP and issues to the company
- Assist in the identification, configuration, implementation of Eikon’s IP tracking system
Benefits
- 401k plan with company matching
- Medical (premiums covered by Eikon at 95%), dental and vision insurance (premiums covered by Eikon at 100%)
- Mental health and wellness benefits
- Weeklong summer and winter holiday shutdowns
- Generous paid time off and holiday policies
- Life/AD&D Insurance (premiums covered by Eikon at 100%) and optional supplemental employee-paid life/AD&D policies
- Enhanced parental leave benefit
- Daily subsidized lunch program when on-site
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Director
Education Level
Ph.D. or professional degree
