Biotechnology, Life Sciences, Scientific Research

Senior Patent Counsel / Director, Intellectual Property

San Diego, CAOnsiteFull TimeDirector$286,300–$367,000 /yrPosted 1 month agoVisa sponsorship available

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Required skills

patent lawyer
patent agent
global patent portfolios
cellular programming
computational biology
transformative therapeutics
small molecules
large molecules
gene therapy
patent applications

Nice to have

law firm experience
industry experience

Role summary

Altos Labs is seeking a creative and engaged patent lawyer or patent agent to join its dynamic legal department. This role will focus on creating and managing global patent portfolios to protect innovations in cellular programming, computational biology, and novel therapeutics. Responsibilities include preparing and prosecuting patent applications, managing office actions, conducting due diligence, advising on freedom to operate, trade secrets, copyrights, and trademarks, and negotiating IP terms. The ideal candidate will have a PhD in Chemistry or related science, be registered with the USPTO, and possess 7-12+ years of experience in patent prosecution, preferably with law firm and industry experience in global pharmaceutical drug development and commercialization. This is an onsite position in San Diego, California, reporting to the Vice President, IP.

Our Mission

Our mission is to restore cell health and resilience through cell rejuvenation to reverse disease, injury, and the disabilities that can occur throughout life.

For more information, see our website at altoslabs.com.

Our Value

Our Single Altos Value: Everyone Owns Achieving Our Inspiring Mission.

Diversity at Altos

Altos Labs has been named one of the Top 3 Biotech Companies and ranked for the second year on the Forbes 2026 Best Startups in America list. At Altos, exceptional scientists and industry leaders from around the world work together to advance a shared mission. Our intentional focus is on Belonging, so that all employees know that they are valued for their unique perspectives. We are all accountable for sustaining a diverse and inclusive environment.

What You Will Contribute To Altos

We are seeking a creative and engaged patent lawyer or patent agent to join a dynamic legal department. The person in this role will create and manage global patent portfolios that protect our groundbreaking innovations in cellular programming, computational biology, and ultimately novel transformative therapeutics for patients.

This position report to the Vice President, IP and is an onsite role in San Diego, California.

Key Responsibilities

Prepare, prosecute, and maintain global patent portfolios for various therapeutic modalities including small molecules, large molecules and gene therapy. Includes the drafting and filing patent applications, managing and successfully resolving patent office actions such as inter partes reviews, reexaminations, post grant reviews, and oppositions.

Identify and evaluate data for patentability and invention capture.

Conduct due diligence assessments and provide pragmatic and actionable advice based on those assessments.

Counsel business stakeholders on freedom to operate analyses, patentability, and global regulatory exclusivities.

Provide advice and counsel on trade secrets, copyrights and trademarks as needed.

Review, draft, and negotiate IP terms in collaboration with transactional legal team.

Identify, assess, and communicate IP risks to business stakeholders.

Develop and maintain effective partnerships across the business and within the legal and compliance functions to provide advice, risk assessment, and strategy on IP matters.

Maintain current knowledge of IP case law and emerging industry trends.

Effectively manage outside counsel work product and budget.

Core Competencies

To succeed in our highly dynamic environment, the ideal candidate must demonstrate:

High Integrity: You act with honesty, keep commitments, and take full accountability for your actions. You are a role model for our organizational values and adhere to ethical guidelines even under pressure.

Dealing with Ambiguity: You thrive in the "grey areas." You effectively cope with change, shift gears comfortably, and make strategic IP decisions particularly when the underlying science or legal precedents are still emerging and undefined.

Bias to Action: You willing to roll up your sleeves to get into the details and drive creative solutions, while also being able to think on the fly and enable fast decision making.

Courage: You lean into smart risk taking and cutting-edge approaches to creating IP value. You embrace healthy conflict and do not shy away from difficult conversations.

Teamwork and Collaboration: You are a natural bridge-builder, think pragmatically, and use sound judgment. You break down silos. You foster a culture of shared success and ensure IP is experienced as a strategic partner.

Who You Are

Qualifications

Education & Credentials:

PhD in Chemistry or related science.

Registered before United States Patent and Trademark Office is required.

If lawyer,

Juris Doctorate from an ABA-accredited law school

Admitted to California Bar or ability to qualify as Registered In-House Counsel.

Experience & Technical Skills:

7+/12+ years of experience as patent prosecutor, preferably including law firm and industry experience.

Experience in global pharmaceutical drug development and commercialization is required.

The salary range for San Diego:

Director, IP: $286,300 - $367,000

#LI-NN1

Exact compensation may vary based on skills, experience, and location.

For UK applicants, before submitting your application:

- Please click here to read the Altos Labs EU and UK Applicant Privacy Notice (bit.ly/eu_uk_privacy_notice)- This Privacy Notice is not a contract, express or implied and it does not set terms or conditions of employment.

Equal Opportunity Employment

We value collaboration and scientific excellence.

We believe that a culture of belonging are foundational to scientific innovation and inquiry. At Altos Labs, exceptional scientists and industry leaders from around the world work together to advance a shared mission. Our intentional focus is on Belonging, so that all employees know that they are valued for their unique perspectives. We are all accountable for sustaining an inclusive environment.

Altos Labs provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment, without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. Altos prohibits unlawful discrimination and harassment. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

Thank you for your interest in Altos Labs where we strive for a culture of scientific excellence, learning, and belonging.

Note: Altos Labs will not ask you to download a messaging app for an interview or outlay your own money to get started as an employee. If this sounds like your interaction with people claiming to be with Altos, it is not legitimate and has nothing to do with Altos. Learn more about a common job scam at https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/how-spot-avoid-online-job-scams-biron-clark/

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