Counsel - Intellectual Property

About the Department                                                                                                                                             

The Boulder Site is home to the specialized technical operations/CMC team for oligonucleotides and RNAi therapeutics, continuing its legacy as the hub for all manufacturing-related activities for GalXC™ and GalXC-Plus™ investigational therapeutics developed from Novo Nordisk’s acquisition of Dicerna Pharmaceuticals, Inc. in December 2021. With a new laboratory completed in 2021 to support analytical and process development, the CMC team works alongside Quality, Regulatory, Technical Operations and RNAi Early Development professionals at our Boulder, Colorado facility and works closely with our teams in Lexington, Massachusetts. Ranked the No. 1 Place to Live for the second consecutive year by U.S. News & World Report, Boulder is experiencing a renaissance in biotech investment and is one of the world’s leading centers for oligonucleotide innovation and manufacturing. Together, we are driving change. Are you ready to make a difference?

The Position

Provide patent support integrated with discovery, CMC, and development teams.

Relationships

This position reports to the Head of IP and Legal, US R&D.

The role requires a proactive, dynamic, collaborative, and business-focused pharmaceutical IP attorney for the lines of business located in the US Research and Development organization. This role will directly support program teams within U.S. R&D, including the GNAT TRU. In particular, this role will support innovations related to manufacturing nucleic acids, LNP formulations, and nucleic acid modification. This role includes performing initial freedom to operate and patentability analysis on early-stage programs and processes, filing composition of matter and platform patent applications, and formulating and executing an effective IP strategy throughout the life cycle of programs in Novo Nordisk’s research portfolio. This role will also support the legal and transactions function in the drafting and interpretation of IP terms in contracts. Key stakeholders include scientific and clinical program teams, the broader IP function within the larger Novo Nordisk R&D organization, and the broader legal organization within Novo Nordisk’s US R&D legal team.

This role is based in Boulder, CO.

Essential Functions

• Assist in the drafting and filing of patent applications related to composition of matter and platform patent applications
• Draft and manage US prosecution of patent families within US R&D patent portfolio
• Manage execution of complex world-wide prosecution of both platform and composition of matter patent families
• Review outside counsel work to ensure the work, methodology, and strategy meet internal expectations
• Provide clear, informed, and sophisticated counseling to internal clients working on new chemical entity projects and technologies, manufacturing technologies, and LNP formulation technologies on opportunities to protect their inventions, create IP portfolios, advise on publication strategies, and mitigate third party risks
• Apply deep expertise in national patent law and practice and a working knowledge of foreign patent law and practice including patent trends and case law developments to devise patent strategies and advice. Understand other forms of protection relating to exclusivity and apply as appropriate
• Maximize effective communication with colleagues and leadership in the legal and IP function as well as the R&D organization. Build and manage external relationships with outside counsel and collaborators
• Conduct due diligence assessments and counsel based on these assessments, including freedom-to-operate (FTO), infringement and validity analyses, and risk evaluation and mitigation
• Assist the legal and transactions functions in the drafting and interpretation of contracts related to manufacturing processes and vendor collaborations

Physical Requirements

10% overnight travel required.

Qualifications

• Registered to practice before the United States Patent Office preferred; a Juris Doctorate and admission to practice law in at least one state required
• Degree in biotechnology, chemistry or medicinal chemistry. Advanced degree or significant research experience preferred
• 4+ years related experience as a patent practitioner in house or at a law firm with pharma/biotech focus or in the pharmaceutical/biotechnology industry required (prior experience can be as a patent agent/practitioner)
• Strong scientific background relevant sciences; preferably including direct lab experience
• Ability to independently incorporate global outlook and management of product life cycle into decision making process
• Strong customer-service focus to build and sustain effective partnerships with key stakeholders and project teams. Effective analytical, presentation and communication skills
• Expertise in US and PCT law, filing process and prosecution practice; detailed understanding of counterpart EP or US law and other major global patent systems
• Demonstrated expertise in relevant federal and state laws, regulations, rules and guidance as well as industry codes and principles required Demonstrated ability to work independently as well as collaboratively in a team. Interpersonal skills (partnership, influence/persuasion, teamwork)
• Strong organization and time management skills with flexibility, creativity, resourcefulness to successfully prioritize and manage multiple, competing priorities simultaneously
• Strategic agility and ability to adapt to expanding business environment

The base compensation range for this position is $150,000to $200,000. Base compensation is determined based on a number of factors. This position is also eligible for a company bonus based on individual and company performance. 
 

Novo Nordisk offers long-term incentive compensation and or company vehicles depending on the position's level or other company factors.   

Employees are also eligible to participate in Company employee benefit programs including medical, dental and vision coverage; life insurance; disability insurance; 401(k) savings plan; flexible spending accounts; employee assistance program; tuition reimbursement program; and voluntary benefits such as group legal, critical illness, identity theft protection, pet insurance and auto/home insurance. The Company also offers time off pursuant to its sick time policy, flex-able vacation policy, and parental leave policy.

The job posting is anticipated to close on 05/17/2024. The Company may however extend this time-period, in which case the posting will remain available on our careers website at www.novonordisk-us/careers.com.

We commit to an inclusive recruitment process and equality of opportunity for all our job applicants.

At Novo Nordisk we recognize that it is no longer good enough to aspire to be the best company in the world. We need to aspire to be the best company for the world and we know that this is only possible with talented employees with diverse perspectives, backgrounds and cultures. We are therefore committed to creating an inclusive culture that celebrates the diversity of our employees, the patients we serve and communities we operate in. Together, we’re life changing.

Novo Nordisk is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by local, state or federal laws, rules or regulations.

If you are interested in applying to Novo Nordisk and need special assistance or an accommodation to apply, please call us at 1-855-411-5290. This contact is for accommodation requests only and cannot be used to inquire about the status of applications.