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
  • 3-5 years of relevant patent experience, preferably in pharmaceuticals or biotechnology
  • Experience drafting patent applications and managing patent prosecution
  • Strong skills in patent searching, legal research, and analytical writing
  • Excellent communication skills for executive-ready presentations
  • Ability to collaborate effectively across teams and adapt to new information

Responsibilities

  • Manage US and international patent docket, including deadlines and filings
  • Draft provisional, nonprovisional, and PCT patent applications
  • Prepare claims, amendments, and analyze prior art for prosecution materials
  • Work with scientists and counsel to identify patentable inventions
  • Conduct patentability and competitive intelligence research
  • Assist with litigation matters, including document review and claim charts
  • Review scientific literature for patent-related issues

Benefits

  • Excellent benefits package
  • Opportunities for professional growth and development
  • Collaboration within a multidisciplinary team
  • Engagement with cutting-edge RNA- and DNA-targeted technology
  • Focus on innovative approaches in biotechnology
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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