A clinical-stage biotechnology company developing next-generation RNA therapeutics is seeking its first dedicated in-house Intellectual Property leader. This is a unique opportunity to build and shape the company’s internal IP function while partnering closely with executive leadership and external counsel to support a growing pipeline of innovative medicines.

The organization has an established network of outside patent counsel and is looking to strategically bring a greater portion of its intellectual property work in-house. This role will serve as the primary U.S. IP lead, helping drive long-term portfolio strategy, patent risk assessment, and legal support across research, development, and business initiatives.

This position offers the opportunity to grow beyond traditional patent prosecution into broader legal, licensing, collaboration, and strategic business matters as the company continues to expand.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the company’s intellectual property strategy across a growing therapeutic pipeline.
• Evaluate and strengthen the existing patent portfolio, identifying opportunities, competitive positioning, and potential areas of risk.
• Partner with R&D leadership to protect new inventions and support ongoing innovation.
• Manage outside patent counsel and coordinate prosecution strategy while optimizing legal spend.
• Provide strategic guidance on freedom-to-operate analyses, patentability assessments, due diligence, and competitive IP landscapes.
• Support licensing transactions, collaboration agreements, research partnerships, confidentiality agreements, and other IP-related legal matters.
• Collaborate closely with executive leadership on long-term portfolio planning and corporate strategy.
• Partner with international legal colleagues to ensure alignment across the global organization.
• Help establish and expand the company’s internal legal capabilities as the organization continues to scale.

Qualifications

• J.D. from an accredited law school and admission to at least one U.S. state bar.
• Registered to practice before the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
• Significant experience supporting biotechnology or pharmaceutical intellectual property.
• Strong understanding of U.S. patent prosecution, portfolio management, and patent strategy.
• Experience advising scientific teams on invention disclosure, patentability, and IP risk.
• Ability to communicate complex legal concepts to scientific and business stakeholders.
• Strong relationship management skills with outside counsel and cross-functional leadership.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting RNA therapeutics, RNAi, siRNA, antisense oligonucleotides, gene editing, or related nucleic acid technologies.
• Scientific background in chemistry, medicinal chemistry, organic chemistry, molecular biology, biochemistry, or a related discipline.
• Advanced scientific degree (Ph.D. preferred) or equivalent technical expertise developed through industry experience.
• Experience supporting licensing, collaborations, strategic partnerships, or broader commercial legal matters.
• Previous experience helping build or scale an in-house legal or intellectual property function.

Why This Opportunity?

• Build the first dedicated in-house IP function for an innovative biotechnology company.
• Work directly with executive leadership and scientific founders.
• Shape long-term intellectual property strategy for a rapidly advancing pipeline.
• Expand beyond patent law into broader legal and business leadership over time.
• Join a highly collaborative, entrepreneurial environment where legal is viewed as a strategic partner rather than a support function.

Compensation & Benefits

In compliance with California pay transparency requirements, the expected base salary range for this position is: $250,000-$300,000. The final title and compensation package will be determined based on experience, technical expertise, and overall scope of responsibilities.