Genentech’s Intellectual Property team is seeking a Senior Patent Counsel/Agent with biotechnology and computational expertise.  As a partner and business strategist, this individual will push the boundaries of what is possible in a highly competitive industry. This position reports to the Discovery & Computational Sciences IP Lead in Genentech’s Legal IP team. Come join our passion for creating and leveraging game-changing IP strategies that enable Genentech to “do now what patients need next!” 

The Opportunity

Key responsibilities of this individual contributor role includes the following:

Managing Docket (Patent Preparation and Prosecution)

• Driving strategic IP procurement and management of global intellectual property rights for innovations at the intersection of technology and biology, namely discovery platform technologies and computational innovations. Responsibilities include drafting and prosecuting patent portfolios, licensing transactions, due diligence assessments, freedom-to-operate, infringement, and validity analyses, and risk evaluation and mitigation strategies. Ideally the candidate will be able to flexibly handle both wet lab and in-silico biological research technologies. 

• Managing and prosecuting active global dockets, including handling U.S. and foreign patent applications as well as post-grant proceedings (e.g., reexamination, reissue, post-grant review), including foreign oppositions and appeals, as they may arise.

• Rendering due diligence assessments, freedom-to-operate, infringement, and validity analyses, and risk evaluation and mitigation strategies for individual program molecules, technologies, tools, and the like.

• Identifying and exploiting new strategic opportunities and approaches by leveraging a deep understanding of patent law and a knowledge of the competitive landscape across the Genentech franchises and portfolio.

Providing Advice and Counsel

• Partnering effectively with relevant stakeholders at all levels of the global organization and across all phases of research, drug development, and commercialization to provide clear, strategic business enabling strategies. 

• Influencing business leaders as a trusted advisor and thought partner.

• Deploying in-depth patent and scientific expertise to provide education, guidance, and advice on patent law issues to scientists conducting research and other business stakeholders.

• Maintaining and sharing expertise and knowledge on legal case law, rules, or regulations before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office as well as other relevant jurisdictional IP offices.

Collaborating, Managing, and Supporting Teams

• Partnering in all intellectual property-related transactions, adverse proceedings, and litigation activities related to the individual’s responsibilities.

• Participating in group, department, and cross-functional projects and initiatives where strategies, processes, operating standards, and/or practices are developed and deployed to ensure highest quality practices and execution for all aspects of IP portfolios in a high performing, agile team setting.

• Sustainably building enduring, productive external relationships with outside counsel, third-party collaborators, and partners.

• Ensuring that Genentech remains a great place to practice game-changing IP law, have fun, and make a difference for patients!

Key Competencies

Key competencies of this individual contributor role includes the following:

• Technical expertise in global patent portfolio preparation and prosecution for inventions involving one, or ideally both, of:

  •  artificial intelligence / machine learning, agentic workflows, bioinformatics / computational biology analytical pipelines, computer systems and software, and digital health innovations;   

  • biotechnology research tools, examples including sequencing, proteomics, gene editing, or other modern high throughput biological research techniques.

• Exhibits poise under pressure, solution-oriented mindset, clear communication at all levels of an organization, effective collaboration across local and global teams, and active in-person presence with IP/Legal and business stakeholders.

• Tackles new challenges with curiosity and a growth-mindset, effectively utilizing available resources, and an enthusiastic willingness to listen and learn from others.

• Excels in working independently and proactively with minimal direction, strong organizational skills, and ability to prioritize and balance competing projects and responsibilities in a fast-paced global organization.

Who You Are

Qualifications and experience needed for this role include the following:

• 7+ years of patent attorney/agent experience in technology and/or life sciences patent prosecution, with majority of experience in patent application drafting and prosecution in a pharma/biotech corporate setting and/or representing such clients/matters in a law firm.

• Admission to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) required.

• A U.S. law degree (J.D.) and a current “good standing” admission to at least one U.S. state bar is required for attorney applicants.

• An advanced degree in a relevant area such as the following: mathematics, computer science, electrical engineering, physics, biology, chemistry, bioinformatics, computational biology, or bioengineering.

• Demonstrated experience and track record of success in:

  • Building and leveraging global IP portfolios at all stages of prosecution and enforcement;

  • Designing and executing complex freedom-to-operate analyses across different technologies and different jurisdictions; 

  • Developing and communicating actionable risk mitigation strategies;

  • Experience in IP transactions and due diligence is a plus;

  • Experience in adverse IP proceedings, including but not limited to US litigation, is a plus;  

  • Experience in pharmaceutical therapeutics IP protection is a plus.

This role is located onsite at Genentech’s South San Francisco, California campus, and a remote working arrangement is not available.  

Relocation benefits are not available for this job posting.

The expected salary range for this position based on the primary location of California is $215,400 to $400,000 for Sr. Patent Counsel and $188,860 to $350,740 for Sr. Patent Agent. Actual pay will be determined based on experience, qualifications, geographic location, and other job-related factors permitted by law.  A discretionary annual bonus may be available based on individual and Company performance.  This position also qualifies for the benefits detailed at the link provided below.

Benefits

Genentech is an equal opportunity employer. It is our policy and practice to employ, promote, and otherwise treat any and all employees and applicants on the basis of merit, qualifications, and competence. The company's policy prohibits unlawful discrimination, including but not limited to, discrimination on the basis of Protected Veteran status, individuals with disabilities status, and consistent with all federal, state, or local laws.

If you have a disability and need an accommodation in relation to the online application process, please contact us by completing this form Accommodations for Applicants.