Sr. Director, Intellectual Property

Chiesi Farmaceutici•Cary, NC

3d•Hybrid

About The Position

Chiesi USA is seeking an experienced US Patent Agent or US Patent Attorney to support the protection, development, and strategic management of its global intellectual property portfolio. The role combines hands-on US patent prosecution with participation in IP due diligence activities supporting licensing, acquisitions, collaborations, and business development initiatives. The position supports patent prosecution and portfolio management, including the development of filing and claim strategies for pharmaceutical products and technologies, lifecycle management, portfolio optimization, and global filing strategies. It also supports IP due diligence and transaction assessments, working with Business Development, Legal, R&D, Commercial teams, and external counsel. The role contributes to competitive monitoring, patent landscape and patentability analyses, and strategic portfolio decisions. The role is hybrid, based in the Cary, North Carolina office preferred, with remote candidates based in the Eastern time zone also considered. Chiesi offers healthcare programs, work-life balance initiatives, relocation support, a competitive salary package with performance bonuses, flexible working arrangements, remote work options, training and development resources, and tax assistance services for foreign colleagues.

Requirements

Be a USPTO-registered Patent Agent or Attorney in good standing.
Bachelor’s degree.
Minimum 5 years of patent prosecution experience.
Demonstrated experience supporting IP due diligence activities for licensing, acquisitions, collaborations, or business development transactions.
Strong knowledge of US patent law and pharmaceutical patent practice.
Experience evaluating patent portfolios, prosecution histories, and claim strategies.
Ability to communicate IP risks and opportunities to technical and business stakeholders.
Excellent drafting, analytical, and communication skills.

Nice To Haves

PhD in a life sciences discipline or JD.
In-house pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry experience.
Experience supporting licensing-in, licensing-out, M&A, and strategic alliance transactions.
Familiarity with Hatch-Waxman, Orange Book listings, patent term extensions, and regulatory exclusivities.
Experience preparing due diligence reports and portfolio assessments for senior management.
International portfolio management experience, including PCT and ex-US patent strategies.

Responsibilities

Draft and prosecute US patent applications before the USPTO.
Develop patent filing and claim strategies for pharmaceutical products and technologies.
Manage Office Actions, examiner interviews, continuation applications, and divisional applications.
Coordinate with inventors, scientists, and external counsel.
Support lifecycle management and portfolio optimization.
Identify opportunities to strengthen patent protection around pipeline and marketed products.
Contribute to global patent filing strategies.
Support patent due diligence for licensing, M&A, partnerships, and external innovation opportunities.
Assess patent portfolios, prosecution histories, claim scope, and filing strategies.
Identify IP opportunities, risks, and value drivers associated with potential transactions.
Collaborate with Business Development, Legal, R&D, and Commercial teams.
Prepare IP due diligence assessments and portfolio evaluation reports.
Coordinate with external counsel during transactions and strategic collaborations.
Monitor competitor patent activity and emerging technology trends.
Support patent landscape and patentability analyses.
Contribute to strategic portfolio decisions and external innovation assessments.