Counsel, IP

At Gilead, we’re creating a healthier world for all people. For more than 35 years, we’ve tackled diseases such as HIV, viral hepatitis, COVID-19 and cancer – working relentlessly to develop therapies that help improve lives and to ensure access to these therapies across the globe. We continue to fight against the world’s biggest health challenges, and our mission requires collaboration, determination and a relentless drive to make a difference.
 

Every member of Gilead’s team plays a critical role in the discovery and development of life-changing scientific innovations. Our employees are our greatest asset as we work to achieve our bold ambitions, and we’re looking for the next wave of passionate and ambitious people ready to make a direct impact.
 

We believe every employee deserves a great leader. People Leaders are the cornerstone to the employee experience at Gilead and Kite. As a people leader now or in the future, you are the key driver in evolving our culture and creating an environment where every employee feels included, developed and empowered to fulfil their aspirations. Join Gilead and help create possible, together.
Job Description
 

Patent Counsel

This role is responsible for developing and implementing comprehensive patent portfolio strategies across Gilead’s therapeutic areas, focusing on biologic therapeutics. The Patent Counsel will advise research teams regarding risks and opportunities related to Gilead’s intellectual property. As a member of Gilead’s patent prosecution team located in Foster City, California, the Patent Counsel will be a member of Gilead’s cross-functional research teams, working collaboratively with preclinical and clinical scientific teams to advance research and clinical candidates, in accordance with Gilead’s Core Values and Leadership Commitments.

The Patent Counsel will be based in Foster City, CA and is onsite/hybrid- 3 days in the office.

Specific Responsibilities and Skills

The ideal candidate will have a minimum of 4 years of experience with global patent prosecution and patent application drafting, preferably protein biochemistry, pharmaceuticals, or biotechnology. Experience with small molecule chemistry is a plus. The ideal candidate will also have experience performing landscape and FTO (freedom to operate) analysis. Proven ability to manage large molecule biologics patent application drafting and prosecution is required. The ability to manage drafting or prosecution across different therapeutic modalities is a plus. Experience with IP transactions is also a plus. The successful candidate is expected to demonstrate initiative and sound judgment and to have a service-oriented focus. The successful candidate will demonstrate Gilead’s Core Values and Leadership Commitments through their work. The ability to proactively identify IP-related issues potentially impacting the business and to work cross-functionally to devise and communicate clear advice is essential. The successful candidate will be a part of the product attorney group reporting to a senior member of the patent prosecution team.

Specific responsibilities will include:

• Oversee and develop patent portfolios to protect Gilead’s product pipeline with a focus on biologic therapeutics.

• Draft and prosecute patent applications in U.S. and foreign patent offices.

• Effectively supervise and manage activities of outside counsels.

• Advise non-legal colleagues regarding patent strategy and identification of patentable inventions.

• Effectively partner with patent informatics on strategies for FTO and patent landscape searches. Conduct FTO and patent landscape analyses. Counsel cross-functional research teams on findings.

• Review and assist in the drafting and negotiation of nondisclosure, research, license and other agreements involving the use, transfer, or ownership of intellectual property.

• Review proposed publications regarding Gilead’s research programs for potential IP issues.

• Prepare and conduct presentations to a variety of audiences on IP topics.

• Assist with procuring and/or advising on regulatory exclusivities and data protection.

Specific Education & Experience Requirements

• Requires a Juris Doctorate from an accredited law school and admission before a State bar.

• Admission to practice before the USPTO.

• Bachelor’s degree in biology, biochemistry, chemistry or related sciences, advanced degree in biochemistry or molecular biology is a plus.

• 4 years of experience with global patent prosecution and patent application drafting, preferably protein biochemistry, pharmaceuticals, or biotechnology. Experience with small molecule chemistry is a plus.

• Experience preparing and prosecuting patent applications in a law firm or in-house, with considerable focus on biologic therapeutics.

• Experience with FTO and patent landscape analysis.

• Must have excellent written and verbal communications skills.

• Must have strong client service orientation.

• Must have strong commitment to integrity, teamwork, excellence, inclusion, and accountability.

• Must possess the ability to work well with others in a team setting.

• Organizational skills, exceptional time management and attention to detail are a must.

People Leader Accountabilities: 

•Create Inclusion - knowing the business value of diverse teams, modeling inclusion, and embedding the value of diversity in the way they manage their teams. 

•Develop Talent - understand the skills, experience, aspirations and potential of their employees and coach them on current performance and future potential. They ensure employees are receiving the feedback and insight needed to grow, develop and realize their purpose. 

•Empower Teams - connect the team to the organization by aligning goals, purpose, and organizational objectives, and holding them to account. They provide the support needed to remove barriers and connect their team to the broader ecosystem. 

 

The salary range for this position is: $226,185.00 - $292,710.00. Gilead considers a variety of factors when determining base compensation, including experience, qualifications, and geographic location. These considerations mean actual compensation will vary. This position may also be eligible for a discretionary annual bonus, discretionary stock-based long-term incentives (eligibility may vary based on role), paid time off, and a benefits package. Benefits include company-sponsored medical, dental, vision, and life insurance plans*.

For additional benefits information, visit:

https://www.gilead.com/careers/compensation-benefits-and-wellbeing

* Eligible employees may participate in benefit plans, subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable plans.

For jobs in the United States:

Gilead Sciences Inc. is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment, and is dedicated to fostering an inclusive work environment comprised of diverse perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences. Employment decisions regarding recruitment and selection will be made without discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, genetic information or characteristic, gender identity and expression, veteran status, or other non-job related characteristics or other prohibited grounds specified in applicable federal, state and local laws. In order to ensure reasonable accommodation for individuals protected by Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Act of 1974, and Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, applicants who require accommodation in the job application process may contact [email protected] for assistance.

For more information about equal employment opportunity protections, please view the 'Know Your Rights' poster.

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YOUR RIGHTS UNDER THE FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE ACT

Gilead Sciences will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, (c) consistent with the  legal duty to furnish information; or (d) otherwise protected by law.
 

Our environment respects individual differences and recognizes each employee as an integral member of our company. Our workforce reflects these values and celebrates the individuals who make up our growing team.

Gilead provides a work environment free of harassment and prohibited conduct. We promote and support individual differences and diversity of thoughts and opinion.

For Current Gilead Employees and Contractors:

Please apply via the Internal Career Opportunities portal in Workday.