Counsel - Intellectual Property

About the Department

Our East Coast Global Development Hub brings together the best minds in life science innovation with facilities in Lexington, MA and Plainsboro, NJ. We support programs from early research through late-stage clinical development. We are building for the future, creating a distinct R&D community based on collaboration, partnerships, and cutting-edge research across multiple innovative modalities and therapeutic areas. Our East Coast Global Development Hub merges biotech speed and agility with large pharmaceutical company quality, resources, and stability, uniting the best of both worlds to develop new medicines for patients. We recognize that improving human health starts here and that patients rely on us. We’re changing lives for a living. Are you ready to make a difference?

The Position

Provide patent support integrated with Global Nucleic Acid Therapies (GNAT), Global Drug Discovery (GDD), Global Research Technologies (GRT), and Cell Therapy.

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, Global Drug Discovery, Global Research Technologies, and Cell Therapy. In particular, this role will support innovations related to nucleic acids, liquid nano particles, and low molecular weight therapeutics. 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 Lexington, MA.

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

• A Juris Doctorate and admission to practice law in at least one state required; Registered to practice before the United States Patent Office preferred
• Degree in biotechnology, chemistry or medicinal chemistry.
  • Advanced degree or significant research experience preferred
• 3+ 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).
  • Law firm experience is preferred
• Strong scientific background in 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

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.