Senior Patent Counsel/Agent – Informatics

Genentech • Daly City, CA

1d • $188,860 - $400,000 • Onsite

About The Position

Genentech’s Intellectual Property team is seeking a Senior Patent Counsel/Agent with biotechnology and computational expertise. As a partner and business strategist, this individual will push the boundaries of what is possible in a highly competitive industry. This position reports to the Discovery & Computational Sciences IP Lead in Genentech’s Legal IP team. Come join our passion for creating and leveraging game-changing IP strategies that enable Genentech to “do now what patients need next!”

Requirements

• 7+ years of patent attorney/agent experience in technology and/or life sciences patent prosecution, with majority of experience in patent application drafting and prosecution in a pharma/biotech corporate setting and/or representing such clients/matters in a law firm.
• Admission to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) required.
• A U.S. law degree (J.D.) and a current “good standing” admission to at least one U.S. state bar is required for attorney applicants.
• An advanced degree in a relevant area such as the following: mathematics, computer science, electrical engineering, physics, biology, chemistry, bioinformatics, computational biology, or bioengineering.
• Demonstrated experience and track record of success in:
• Building and leveraging global IP portfolios at all stages of prosecution and enforcement;
• Designing and executing complex freedom-to-operate analyses across different technologies and different jurisdictions;
• Developing and communicating actionable risk mitigation strategies;

Nice To Haves

• Ideally the candidate will be able to flexibly handle both wet lab and in-silico biological research technologies.
• Technical expertise in global patent portfolio preparation and prosecution for inventions involving one, or ideally both, of: artificial intelligence / machine learning, agentic workflows, bioinformatics / computational biology analytical pipelines, computer systems and software, and digital health innovations; biotechnology research tools, examples including sequencing, proteomics, gene editing, or other modern high throughput biological research techniques.
• Exhibits poise under pressure, solution-oriented mindset, clear communication at all levels of an organization, effective collaboration across local and global teams, and active in-person presence with IP/Legal and business stakeholders.
• Tackles new challenges with curiosity and a growth-mindset, effectively utilizing available resources, and an enthusiastic willingness to listen and learn from others.
• Excels in working independently and proactively with minimal direction, strong organizational skills, and ability to prioritize and balance competing projects and responsibilities in a fast-paced global organization.
• Experience in IP transactions and due diligence is a plus;
• Experience in adverse IP proceedings, including but not limited to US litigation, is a plus ;
• Experience in pharmaceutical therapeutics IP protection is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Managing and prosecuting active global dockets, including handling U.S. and foreign patent applications as well as post-grant proceedings (e.g., reexamination, reissue, post-grant review), including foreign oppositions and appeals, as they may arise.
• Rendering due diligence assessments, freedom-to-operate, infringement, and validity analyses, and risk evaluation and mitigation strategies for individual program molecules, technologies, tools, and the like.
• Identifying and exploiting new strategic opportunities and approaches by leveraging a deep understanding of patent law and a knowledge of the competitive landscape across the Genentech franchises and portfolio.
• Partnering effectively with relevant stakeholders at all levels of the global organization and across all phases of research, drug development, and commercialization to provide clear, strategic business enabling strategies.
• Influencing business leaders as a trusted advisor and thought partner.
• Deploying in-depth patent and scientific expertise to provide education, guidance, and advice on patent law issues to scientists conducting research and other business stakeholders.
• Maintaining and sharing expertise and knowledge on legal case law, rules, or regulations before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office as well as other relevant jurisdictional IP offices.
• Partnering in all intellectual property-related transactions, adverse proceedings, and litigation activities related to the individual’s responsibilities.
• Participating in group, department, and cross-functional projects and initiatives where strategies, processes, operating standards, and/or practices are developed and deployed to ensure highest quality practices and execution for all aspects of IP portfolios in a high performing, agile team setting.
• Sustainably building enduring, productive external relationships with outside counsel, third-party collaborators, and partners.
• Ensuring that Genentech remains a great place to practice game-changing IP law, have fun, and make a difference for patients!

Benefits

• Relocation benefits are not available for this job posting.
• A discretionary annual bonus may be available based on individual and Company performance.
• This position also qualifies for the benefits detailed at the link provided below.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior