Assistant General Counsel - IP- San Diego Based

Who We Are:

At Neurocrine Biosciences, we pride ourselves on having a strong, inclusive, and positive culture based on our shared purpose and values. We know what it takes to be great, and we are as passionate about our people as we are about our purpose - to relieve suffering for people with great needs, but few options.

What We Do:

Neurocrine Biosciences is a leading neuroscience-focused, biopharmaceutical company with a simple purpose: to relieve suffering for people with great needs, but few options. We are dedicated to discovering and developing life-changing treatments for patients with under-addressed neurological, neuroendocrine, and neuropsychiatric disorders. The company’s diverse portfolio includes FDA-approved treatments for tardive dyskinesia, chorea associated with Huntington’s disease, endometriosis* and uterine fibroids*, as well as a robust pipeline including multiple compounds in mid- to late-phase clinical development across our core therapeutic areas. For three decades, we have applied our unique insight into neuroscience and the interconnections between brain and body systems to treat complex conditions. We relentlessly pursue medicines to ease the burden of debilitating diseases and disorders, because you deserve brave science.

About the Role:

Among other responsibilities, uses cross-functional knowledge and highly-developed working relationships to develop a thorough understanding of the company’s business, its technologies, products, customers, collaborators and competitors to provide strategic guidance to internal clients and teams to facilitate the business and intellectual property objectives of the Company. Oversees and directs the patent and/or intellectual property function within an organization, including outside counsel, internal patent agents and patent attorneys as appropriate. Responsibilities may include overseeing the preparation, filing, prosecution and enforcement of: patent applications, trade secrets, trademarks, copyrights, licensing and research agreements, publications and intellectual property aspects of contracts and agreements. Advises and informs senior management of patent prosecution matters. Ensures that legal issues and recommendations are communicated to clients. Selects, develops, manages and evaluates personnel to ensure the efficient operation of the function.

Your Contributions (include, but not limited to):

• Develop high level intellectual property strategy, identification of inventions, and management of patent drafting and prosecution relating to small molecule drugs.
• Provide legal advice to assigned business partners on a broad range of topics involving intellectual property.
• Identifying opportunities for expanding the Company’s Intellectual property position and collaborating with members of various discovery, development and business groups within the Company.
• Working and communicating with collaborators and other external strategic partners in connection with developing a global IP strategy.
• Provides leadership, personnel management, mentoring and coaching to attorneys, patent agents, paralegals, and/or support staff.
• Harvest, protect and commercialize intellectual property arising from the company’s R&D programs.
• Lead stage-appropriate freedom-to-operate analysis and effectively manage the related litigation risk.
• Manage patent and IP-related contentious matters, together with internal legal staff and outside counsel.
• Implement internal processes, procedures and training centered on intellectual property identification and protection.
• Work with scientific team and technical leads to identify, evaluate and protect intellectual property arising from various R&D programs.
• Draft, review and negotiate intellectual property provisions of manufacturing, process development, purchase, supply, license, and master service agreements.
• Negotiate and support other technology transactions, such as commercial in-licenses, non-disclosure agreements, material transfer agreements, testing agreements and other similar activities.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements:

• Juris Doctorate (JD) degree and 12+ years of practice as an attorney in a well-regarded law firm and in-house pharmaceutical industry experience.
• PhD in organic chemistry or allied chemistry discipline preferred.
• Master's degree in organic chemistry or allied chemistry discipline required.
• Active license to practice law in any state or the District of Columbia is required (California preferred).
• Experience with Orange Book and Patent Term Extension practice for the US and SPC practice for Europe.
• A broad range of patent-related legal expertise required, including in patent preparation, both U.S. and foreign prosecution, IP due diligence, and strategic counseling.
• Expertise in IP litigation and the aspects of regulatory affairs related to market exclusivity.
• Ability to build consensus with diverse stakeholders and third parties and form strong, collaborative working relationships with clients.
• Comfortable in front of collaborators, suppliers, peers and senior management in both leading and supporting roles.
• Proven analytical capacity, superior legal and business judgment; ability to recognize business impact of legal advice.
• Ability to set aggressive deadlines, handle multiple complex legal matters and see projects through to conclusion.
• Requires an individual who can work in new subject matter areas on a daily basis, assimilate information quickly and develop expertise in those areas.
• Collaborates with all levels of management and requires the ability to work confidently, proactively and assertively with a high level of independence.
• Acts as a "trusted advisor" across the company and may be recognized as an external expert.
• Provides strategy, vision and direction regarding issues that may have company-wide impact.
• Requires in-depth knowledge of the functional area, business strategies, and the company’s goals.
• Possesses industry-leading knowledge.
• Works well in a matrix organization.
• Ability to make clear decisions in a fast-paced drug discovery environment.
• Highly proficient in both verbal and written communication.
• Exceptional leadership and problem-solving skills to effectively manage and develop staff, including substantial successful personnel management experience.
• Excellent interpersonal, leadership and communication skills are required for interacting with both internal and external resources.
• Must be self-motivated, detail-oriented, decisive.
• Ability to quickly learn and think independently.
• Demonstrated ability to influence and lead others.

Neurocrine Biosciences is an EEO/AA/Disability/Vets employer. We are committed to building a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace, and we recognize there are a variety of ways to meet our requirements. We are looking for the best candidate for the job and encourage you to apply even if your experience or qualifications don’t line up to exactly what we have outlined in the job description.

The annual base salary we reasonably expect to pay is $253,300.00-$366,775.00. Individual pay decisions depend on various factors, such as primary work location, complexity and responsibility of role, job duties/requirements, and relevant experience and skills. In addition, this position offers an annual bonus with a target of 35% of the earned base salary and eligibility to participate in our equity based long term incentive program. Benefits offered include a retirement savings plan (with company match), paid vacation, holiday and personal days, paid caregiver/parental and medical leave, and health benefits to include medical, prescription drug, dental and vision coverage in accordance with the terms and conditions of the applicable plans.