Assistant Director, Patent Agent

Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

• $120K — $130K *
Pharmaceuticals & Biotech
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Registered to practice before the USPTO
  • Degree in biology, biochemistry, or related field; advanced degree preferred.
  • Approximately 3-5 years of relevant patent experience in pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, or pharmacy.
  • Experience in drafting patent applications and managing prosecution.
  • Strong patent searching, legal research, analytical, and writing skills, with the ability to simplify complex information.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills, especially in creating executive-ready materials.
  • Strong interpersonal skills, curiosity, and adaptability for collaboration.

Responsibilities

  • Manage international patent matters and meet critical deadlines.
  • Draft provisional, nonprovisional, and PCT patent applications for pharmaceutical inventions.
  • Prepare claims, analyze prior art, and recommend prosecution strategies.
  • Collaborate with scientists to identify patentable inventions and develop filing strategies.
  • Conduct legal research and analyze competitive landscapes and patentability.
  • Assist in patent litigation and preparation of legal documentation.
  • Review scientific literature for patent issues and aid in publication clearance.

Benefits

  • Comprehensive benefits package
  • Health, dental, and vision insurance options
  • 401(k) retirement plan with company match
  • Paid time off and flexible work arrangements
  • Professional development opportunities
  • Employee assistance program and wellness initiatives.
Full Job Description
Patent Agent

Ionis seeks a Patent Agent to support the development and management of global patent portfolios and day-to-day intellectual property activities for the company's innovative RNA- and DNA-targeted technology. Working closely with senior patent counsel, scientists, and cross-functional teams, this hands-on role will identify and protect inventions, draft and prosecute patent applications, and provide strategic, operational, and litigation support.

The position will also support senior patent counsel through patent and legal research, executive-ready presentations and briefing materials, and clear written communications.

RESPONSIBILITIES:
• Manage a focused docket of US and international patent matters, including monitoring deadlines, coordinating filings, preparing instructions to outside counsel and foreign associates, and maintaining status information.
• Draft high-quality provisional, nonprovisional, and PCT patent applications relating to pharmaceutical and biotechnology inventions, with guidance and review from senior patent counsel.
• Prepare claims, amendments, Office Action responses, and related prosecution materials; analyze prior art and examiner positions; and recommend practical prosecution approaches.
• Partner with scientists and senior counsel to identify patentable inventions, obtain and organize supporting information, and develop appropriate filing strategies.
• Conduct patentability, landscape, freedom-to-operate, competitive intelligence, and legal research, and provide concise analyses and recommendations.
• Assist senior patent counsel and outside litigation counsel with patent litigation and other contentious matters, including legal and factual research, claim charts, document review, chronologies, discovery support, and preparation of briefing and presentation materials.
• Review scientific publications, abstracts, posters, presentations, and manuscripts for patent-related issues and assist with publication clearance.
• Prepare polished PowerPoint presentations, briefing materials, tables, timelines, meeting summaries, talking points, emails, and other correspondence; track decisions and follow-up items.
• Support patent portfolio reviews, due diligence, collaborations and licenses, exclusivity analyses, and other matters involving clinical or commercial products.
• Contribute to IP department processes, knowledge resources, and special projects, and perform other duties as assigned.

REQUIREMENTS:
• Registered to practice before the USPTO
• Degree in biology, biochemistry, or related field; an advanced scientific degree is preferred but not required.
• Approximately 3-5 years of relevant patent experience, preferably in pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, or pharmacy; law firm, in-house, US, and international patent experience will be considered.
• Demonstrated experience drafting patent applications and claims and managing or supporting patent prosecution.
• Ability to manage a focused docket, prioritize competing assignments, and meet deadlines with appropriate supervision and escalation.
• Strong patent searching, legal research, analytical, and writing skills, with the ability to translate complex scientific and legal information into concise, practical work product; legal education or demonstrated experience analyzing legal issues is preferred but not required.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including proficiency in preparing polished PowerPoint presentations and other executive-ready materials; sound judgment, discretion, and a high degree of professionalism.
• Strong interpersonal skills, curiosity, and adaptability, with the ability to collaborate effectively across legal, scientific, and business teams and a willingness to learn Ionis technology and priorities.

Please visit our website, http://www.ionis.com for more information about Ionis and to apply for this position; reference requisition # IONIS004129

Ionis offers an excellent benefits package! Follow this link for more details: Ionis Benefits

Full Benefits Link: https://ionis.com/careers#:~:text=Highly%20competitive%20benefits

The pay scale for this position is $120,000 to $ 130,000

NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE. PRINCIPALS ONLY.

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