Associate General Counsel, Intellectual Property

Join a Legacy of Innovation 125 Years and Counting!

Daiichi Sankyo Group is dedicated to the creation and supply of innovative pharmaceutical therapies to improve standards of care and address diversified, unmet medical needs of people globally by leveraging our world-class science and technology. With more than 125 years of scientific expertise and a presence in more than 20 countries, Daiichi Sankyo and its 18,000 employees around the world draw upon a rich legacy of innovation and a robust pipeline of promising new medicines to help people. In addition to a strong portfolio of medicines for cardiovascular diseases, under the Group’s 2025 Vision to become a “Global Pharma Innovator with Competitive Advantage in Oncology,” Daiichi Sankyo is primarily focused on providing novel therapies in oncology, as well as other research areas centered around rare diseases and immune disorders.   

Summary

The Associate General Counsel, Intellectual Property is responsible for the protection of and maximization of Daiichi Sankyo's US IP portfolio and foreign counterparts. This position will handle all aspects of U.S. patent litigation, U.S. Patent Office proceedings, IP counseling, manage prosecution of a portfolio of patents and patent applications in the U.S. and globally, and provide legal support for licensing, co-promotion, co-development, clinical trial collaboration, co-marketing and acquisition agreements (among other types of agreements) in the pharmaceutical and companion diagnostic fields, including drafting, negotiating and reviewing such agreements for U.S., global and ex-U.S. territories.

Responsibilities

- Carries out pre-litigation investigations, assists in selection of outside litigation counsel, directs strategy for, and manages patent litigations and patent office proceedings (IPRs and PGRs) involving marketed and pipeline products; counsels senior management (U.S. and Tokyo) on settlement options, and negotiates directly with third parties for strategic settlements of such IP related matters.
- Provides legal support, as needed in negotiating, drafting and reviewing licensing, co-promotion, co-development, co-marketing, clinical trial collaboration, companion diagnostic, and acquisition agreements.
- Conducts patent due diligence for local licensing-in product candidates for Daiichi Sankyo Inc. (U.S.) and global licensing-in product candidates.
- Manages prosecution of a portfolio of patents and patent applications in the U.S. and globally, including patent term extensions, and SPCs.
- Works closely with development teams to monitor results, new uses, etc. arising during research and development of products and to manage disclosures and publications of such findings with Tokyo to ensure that all appropriate patentable matter is protected in a timely manner by the filing and prosecution of patent application(s) in the U.S. and worldwide (in coordination with Daiichi Sankyo Tokyo Intellectual Property Department). Collaborates with Daiichi Sankyo Tokyo Intellectual Property Department in obtaining and interpreting infringement/validity opinions authored by outside U.S. patent attorneys regarding early research and development compounds.
- Works closely with teams for pipeline and marketed products, in order to manage/process patent term extensions, Orange Book listings, claims for regulatory exclusivity, as well as ensure that any new patent protections available are obtained for new uses, different results, etc.; counsels development teams for pipeline products on IP, regulatory, and contractual issues arising during the course of product development.
- Monitors current developments in several key legal areas and provides the Tokyo Intellectual Property Department and DSI’s V.P., IP Business Development with updates regarding same. Recommends strategic policies and procedures in the U.S. and in Japan to maximize IP protection in view of new legal and regulatory developments.

Qualifications: Successful candidates will be able to meet the qualifications below with or without a reasonable accommodation.

Education Qualifications (from an accredited college or university)

- Bachelor's Degree In Chemistry or Biology sciences required
- JD from Law School of recognized standing, and Bar Admission in NJ (direct admission or eligible for limited in-house licensing in NJ) required
- Admission to the Patent Bar/practice in the U.S. Patent Office preferred

Experience Qualifications

- 10 or More Years post-law school experience in patent litigation, life sciences IP transactions work and/or patent prosecution required
- 4 or More Years pharmaceutical industry experience preferred

Travel

Ability to travel up to 10%. Travel includes approximately 1 week-long trip to Japan each year, domestic as needed

EEO-1 Code
USA_EEO_1_1_2

SOC Code
23-1011 - Lawyers (USA Standard Occupational Classification (SOC 2018)-United States of America)

Car Eligible
Car_Eligible_No

DSI Compensation Category
USA_DSI_Pay_Scale_Area_26

RPGL
DSI_Regional_Pay_Grade_Level_14

Career Band
DS_Career_Band_Professional

Career Level
DS_Career_Level_P6

Career Level Title
DS_Career_Level_Title_Sr_Director

Daiichi Sankyo, Inc. is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Salary Range: