Intellectual Property Counsel

Company: Mersana Therapeutics
Location: Cambridge
Posted on: March 16, 2023

Job Description:

Mersana is looking for an Intellectual Property Counsel to lead and build the intellectual property team within Mersana's Legal Team. If you want the experience of working with a high quality, collaborative and dynamic in-house biotech legal team, this role is for you! The Intellectual Property Counsel will report into the Chief Legal Officer and will work collaboratively with all members of the Legal Team.What's in it for you?In this role, you will have an opportunity to be a leader in a growing Legal Team, focused on providing first class client service, strategically prosecuting and licensing the Company's intellectual property and meeting the overall needs of the Company as it develops beyond late-stage development into a commercial organization. You will form close partnerships with various internal clients and play a vital role in high impact, high value licensing transactions. You will work closely with the Chief Legal Officer to map out the growth of the intellectual property team and manage outside counsel effectively to meet the needs of the organization. To be successful, you will have significant previous experience working in-house and in a fast-paced environment. This is an opportunity to be a part of a maturing biotech with a vibrant and welcoming culture, where everyone's input is valued. How do you know if you're the right fit?You are comfortable developing long-term and short-term intellectual property strategies and working on high impact licensing transactions related thereto. You have a strong scientific background, can discuss complex scientific matters with colleagues across the spectrum of scientific capability and can engage in detailed technical discussions. You have experience successfully collaborating and influencing teams who may or may not report into you. You have extremely strong verbal and written communication skills and can leverage your experience to maximize efficiencies and productivity, working on multiple priorities in parallel. You operate with a focus on delivering high quality client service and can work independently but have judgment to know when seeking guidance from others is appropriate. Prior biotech or life sciences experience is required.Primarily, in this role you will:

• Develop the Company's intellectual property strategy in collaboration with and based on input from the Chief Legal Officer and management to align with the Company's business objectives
• Be a critical participant in internal and external discussions relating to licensing of the Company's intellectual property
• Advise and inform management of legal issues and recommendations relating to material intellectual property matters
• Be responsible for the preparation, filing, prosecution, maintenance and enforcement of patents, trademarks, copyrights, etc.
• Oversee landscape, validity, patentability and freedom-to-operate analyses, conduct prior art searches and monitor relevant intellectual property in the field
• Review proposed publications & presentations for potential impact on the patent portfolio
• Be a primary partner to teams across the organization to enable the prosecution and maintenance of the Company's intellectual property
• Manage external counsel on all matters relating to filing, prosecution, analysis and enforcement of the Company's intellectual property
• Demonstrate strong organizational and prioritization skills needed to manage multiple, parallel projects at any given time.
• Contribute to special projects and respond to ad hoc requests as needed from time to time.
• Engage collaboratively with Legal Team members as needed, across other areas.The other stuffThis role is best suited for an intellectual property attorney (juris doctorate & registered to practice before the US Patent and Trademark Office) typically requiring 8+ years of experience in-house at a biotech or large pharmaceutical company. PhD in chemistry, with experience in biologics, bioanalytical chemistry, process development, drug formulation and research discovery strongly desired. Experience in a fast-paced, high-volume setting is strongly preferred. Other essential skills include: attention to detail, commitment to integrity and ethics, strong collaboration and teamwork, the ability to maintain professionalism under pressure, and a healthy sense of humor.Position is eligible for bonus, option awards and benefits including medical, dental and life insurance, 401(k) participation, vacation, and paid holidays.Successful candidate must be authorized to work in the United States.Mersana Therapeutics, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer.

Keywords: Mersana Therapeutics, Cambridge , Intellectual Property Counsel, Legal , Cambridge, Massachusetts