Counsel, Intellectual Property

Compass Pathways · East Coast, United States; New York, United States

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Legal / Compliance East Coast Posted Apr 10, 2026 180,000 – 265,000 USD

Company introduction:

Compass Pathways plc (Nasdaq: CMPS) is a biotechnology company dedicated to accelerating patient access to evidence-based innovation in mental health. The Company is headquartered in London, UK, with offices in New York City in the US. We focus on developing novel treatments that have the potential to improve the lives of those who are suffering with mental health conditions and who are not helped by current treatments.  

We are pioneering a new paradigm for treating mental health conditions focused on rapid and durable responses through the development of our investigational COMP360 synthetic psilocybin treatment, potentially a first in class treatment. COMP360 has Breakthrough Therapy designation from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and has received Innovative Licensing and Access Pathway (ILAP) designation in the UK for treatment-resistant depression (TRD) due to the pressing unmet need in this area.

We are currently in phase 3 for TRD, have completed phase 2 studies for both post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and anorexia nervosa and are planning a further late-stage study in PTSD. We envision a world where mental health means not just the absence of illness but the ability to thrive. - Compass Pathways.

Job overview:

The Counsel, Intellectual Property will play a critical role in supporting and executing the global intellectual property (IP) strategy for Compass Pathways, working closely with the VP of Intellectual Property, as well as the Senior Manager, IP. This role is essential to identifying, protecting, and defending the company's innovations, particularly concerning our proprietary formulations, novel treatment protocols, and expanding pipeline. You will serve as a collaborative partner to the scientific, legal, and commercial teams, ensuring our IP portfolio aligns with the company's overarching mission to transform mental healthcare.

Location: Hybrid in our New York City office or remote on the East Coast, US.

Reports to: Vice President, Intellectual Property.

Roles and responsibilities
(Include but are not limited to):

Collaborate with the Intellectual Property team and other key stakeholders to support the development and execution of the global intellectual property strategy to protect the company's innovations, including COMP360 synthetic psilocybin and other pipeline assets
Manage the preparation, filing, and prosecution of patent applications worldwide, ensuring robust protection of novel therapies, formulations, and treatment protocols
Conduct validity, freedom-to-operate (FTO), patentability, and infringement searches and analyses to help inform research and development programs and commercialization strategies
Partner closely with R&D, Clinical, and Commercial teams to identify new inventions and file patent applications throughout the product lifecycle
Support the strategic direction and management of external patent counsel effectively to ensure high-quality and cost-efficient patent prosecution and legal advice
Monitor and analyze the competitive patent landscape within the mental health and psychedelic therapy sectors to identify potential risks and opportunities, reporting findings to the VP, Intellectual Property
Assist with IP support for business development activities, including providing input on due diligence for potential partnerships, licensing opportunities, and acquisitions as needed under the guidance of the Vice President, IP
Educate and advise internal stakeholders on IP matters, fostering a culture of IP awareness and compliance across the organization
Support potential patent litigation or administrative proceedings (e.g., US IPRs, European oppositions) as needed under the guidance of the Vice President, IP

Candidate Profile:

Qualified US Patent Attorney (registered to practice before the USPTO)
Advanced degree (Ph.D. or Master's) in chemistry, pharmacology, biochemistry, or a closely related scientific field
Strong understanding of small molecule chemistry
5+ years of experience drafting and prosecuting patent applications, conducting FTOs, and managing IP portfolios, with a strong preference for background in the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry
Understanding of the drug development process, from early discovery through clinical trials and product commercialization
Demonstrated ability to translate complex scientific and legal concepts into actionable business advice for cross-functional teams
Experience working with external counsel and operating effectively within an allocated budget
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with a highly collaborative and proactive approach to problem-solving
Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, exercising independent judgment while contributing to a mission-driven team
Alignment with our culture and values

【For NYC】Compensation Description (annually):

Please note that the base salary range is a guideline, and individual total compensation will vary based on factors such as qualifications, skill level, competencies, and work location.

Base pay is one part of the Total Package that is provided to compensate and recognise employees for their work and any role at Compass, regardless of the location, is eligible for additional discretionary bonuses and equity.

【Base salary per annum】:

$180,000—$265,000 USD

Benefits & Compensation:

For an overview of our benefits package and compensation information, please visit "Working at Compass".

Equal opportunities:

Reasonable accommodation

We are committed to building a workplace where everyone’s wellbeing matters. If you need reasonable accommodation during the interview process to be at your best, please let our recruiting team know.

UK applicants

We are proud of our commitment to diversity and equality (pursuant to the Equality Act 2010). We do not discriminate based upon race, religion or belief, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, gender, pregnancy or maternity, marital or civil partner status, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, age or disability.

US applicants

Compass Pathways is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All employment decisions are based on business needs, job requirements, and individual qualifications, without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions), ethnicity, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, military service, genetic information, familial or marital status, or any other status, category, or characteristic protected by applicable law.

Sponsorship:

Unfortunately, we cannot sponsor employment visas and can only accept applications if you have employment rights in the country to which you are applying.

Data Privacy:

All data is confidential and protected by all legal and data privacy requirements, please see our recruitment Privacy Notice to learn more about how we process personal data.

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