Director, Intellectual Property Attorney/Agent

Director, Intellectual Property Attorney/Agent

Cambridge, MA

ABOUT US

Aera Therapeutics was founded by a world-class team of scientists, investors, and company builders with a shared vision to unlock the potential of genetic medicines across a broad range of modalities and therapeutic areas. We strive for excellence and an industry-leading position in our chosen delivery platforms, while aggressively hunting for opportunities where enabling delivery technologies can unlock applications of high, unmet medical need.

Leveraging deep expertise in the space, Aera has a leading LNP platform that enables today’s applications, while investing in and developing a potentially disruptive antibody oligonucleotide conjugate platform to enable tomorrow’s applications.

How will your role make an impact at Aera Therapeutics?

Reporting to the CEO, you will own the strategy and execution of Aera’s patent portfolio. You will draft, file, and prosecute patent applications with outside support to protect all of Aera's technologies and pipeline programs, direct outside counsel, lead freedom-to-operate, patentability, and competitive landscape analysis and build the invention capture process and IP operations. You will partner closely with platform and program leadership across Research and Development and contribute to the overall scientific strategy.

You will:

• Set and execute global patent strategies that are aligned with its business and R&D objectives spanning across Aera’s LNP and antibody oligonucleotide conjugate platforms and programs 
• Draft, file, and prosecute U.S. and international patent applications with the support of outside counsel
• Conduct prior art searches, analyze third-party patent positions and prior art, and formulate opinions of freedom-to-operate and patentability in the context of protecting Aera's technology and pipeline as well as third party assets for business development activities
• Lead IP diligence for financings and business development, and contribute IP terms and technical input to various agreements, including license agreements, sponsored research agreements, MTAs, and CDAs (under the supervision of counsel if a patent agent)
• Partner with Research and Development to identify and harvest patentable inventions early, and run the invention disclosure process 
• Review manuscripts, posters, abstracts, and other materials ahead of public disclosure, and set a positive tone for protecting intellectual property that includes training scientists on inventorship, notebook practice, and confidentiality
• Challenge third-party patents and defend Aera's patents, as needed, in patent office proceedings
• Select, direct, and manage outside counsel, and own the IP budget
• Establish IP operations appropriate to our stage, including docketing, annuities, invention and assignment agreement records, and portfolio reporting for the executive team and Board

Qualifications:

• JD degree from an accredited law school and admission to the Massachusetts bar or ability to be admitted to Massachusetts as in-house counsel
• Registered to practice before the USPTO (patent agent or patent attorney in good standing)
• PhD strongly preferred in chemistry, molecular biology, biochemistry, protein engineering, immunology, bioengineering, or a related life sciences discipline
• 7-10 years of patent prosecution experience in biotechnology, ideally with experience with genetic medicines.
• Experience with delivery technologies such as lipid nanoparticles, bioconjugates, oligonucleotide therapeutics, or protein engineering preferred
• Demonstrated ownership of an IP portfolio strategy
• In-house experience at a private, clinical-stage biotech, including support of financings or partnering transactions, preferred
• Experience establishing IP processes and docketing systems from scratch preferred
• Strong legal, analytical, communication, collaboration, and people skills
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex projects independently to meet deadlines
• Commitment to our Core Values: Respect, Integrity, Excellence, Impact

The approximate salary range for this role is $205,000 - $230,000

Our salary ranges are determined by job scope, level, and location. The range displayed on this job posting reflects the minimum and maximum target for new hire salaries for the position as posted. Within the range, individual pay is determined by a variety of factors, including job-related skills, experience, relevant education or training, and business need. In addition to the base salary, eligible employees will have an opportunity to participate in an annual cash bonus, equity incentives, and a robust benefits offering that includes health insurance, 401k retirement plan with company match, paid sick and vacation time, life and disability insurance, and commuting expense reimbursement.

Aera Therapeutics is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity), national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.