ROLE SUMMARY
The role responsibilities are split evenly between serving as Global IP Strategy Lead and preparing and prosecuting patent applications. As Global IP Strategy Lead, the colleague will support the development of a comprehensive strategy for in-line candidate and product patent portfolios with short-term and long-term goals. The colleague will serve as the chairperson for and lead the IP Department’s Patent Practice and Advisory Team (PPAT), Internal Policies and Procedure Team (IPP) and IP Colleague Education Team, where the colleague will be responsible for leading teams of IP colleagues to develop effective strategies, adapt Pfizer’s internal policies to effectuate those strategies and effectively communicate to stakeholders, including IP leadership, patent attorneys, research, development, digital and business partners on strategic approaches to development of portfolios for Pfizer’s candidates and products. Key to this role, the colleague also will be responsible for evaluating technology enablers that streamline the primary work of the Patent department. The colleague will also be responsible for maintaining a docket and preparing and prosecuting patent applications and conducting freedom-to-operate (FTO) analyses. The colleague must have significant patent preparation and prosecution experience with the ability to work across different therapeutic areas as required. In this capacity, the colleague will dotted line report into a Therapeutic Area Patent Lead(s), as appropriate.
ROLE RESPONSIBILITIES
- Be a driver of innovation in the development of strategic patent portfolios for small molecules, biologics, gene therapies and vaccines.
- Identify opportunities for expanding the company’s intellectual property position working with various members of R&D, commercial, digital, and legal.
- Identify external developments and trends related to strategic development of patent portfolios for candidates and products.
- Conduct analysis of potential emerging technology innovations for use by the IP department (e.g., artificial intelligence techniques, deep learning, digital opportunities, functional applications, predictive analytics, etc.) to transform the approach to the development of in-line patent portfolios.
- Co-lead the PPAT and IPP teams and draft patent department policies on strategic development of patent portfolios to provide for enhanced exclusivity.
- Co-lead the IP Colleague Education Team and develop regular training programs to educate global patent attorneys on Pfizer policy and strategic approaches and external developments in patent law.
- Directly advise Chief IP & IPE leader, IP Leadership Team and patent attorneys on strategic opportunities and tactical approaches for the development of patent portfolios to ensure the value of the in-line candidates and products are captured.
- Providing intellectual property (IP) support for a variety of complex Research and Development projects, including identifying potential patent opportunities, preparing and prosecuting patent applications on a worldwide basis, monitoring third party research and development activities and other related support.
- Supporting adversarial proceedings in markets around the world, including Europe where direct participation in proceedings will be required. Coordination with IP Enforcement in support of Court based adversarial proceedings.
- Performing prior art, patentability and freedom to operate analyses.
- Working closely with Research, Development, Regulatory and commercial legal teams as needed.
- Preparing and filing patent term extension applications.
- Providing IP advice to project teams and commercial product teams.
- Providing legal support for IP aspects of relevant business/transactional matters, including conducting IP due diligence in support of potential licensing or acquisition opportunities.
- Commits to One Pfizer, is aligned with the culture, values, and mission. Operates with the mission and values in mind. Encourages others to act in a manner aligned with organizational culture, values and mission.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
The successful candidate must have the following qualifications, skills and attributes:
- Demonstrated ability to be strategic innovator, embraces technology accelerators and partners well with a variety of technical and non-technical stakeholders in the development of model-portfolios for in-line candidates and products.
- 10+ years legal experience in the pharmaceutical or biotech industry, including experience in strategy, patenting, global patent portfolios, diligences and licensing.
- Strong Leadership Skills and the ability to support strategic initiatives within the organization.
- Strong academic background, Bachelor’s Degree and Juris Doctorate or equivalent law degree and an advance degree.
- Proven capacity to cultivate strong client relationships and successfully influence global patent attorneys in a demanding and a fast-paced evolving environment.
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Candidate demonstrates a breadth of diverse leadership experiences and capabilities including: the ability to influence and collaborate with peers, develop and coach others, oversee and guide the work of other colleagues to achieve meaningful outcomes and create business impact.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Registered to practice before the United States Patent and Trademark Office or the European Patent Office
- Experience in patent preparation, global patent prosecution, due diligences, freedom-to-operate, licensing, exclusivity analysis and opinion-writing skills, and supporting patent challenges globally.
- Ph.D., in a relevant pharmaceutical scientific discipline preferred
- Deep understanding of research, development, commercial and litigation to develop strategies for the creation of IP portfolios.
- Works independently to develop and recommend strategic approaches to leadership and global patent attorneys.
- Build networks throughout the Pfizer Legal Division and the company to receive input from and collaborate with attorneys and other colleagues, including colleagues supporting biopharma, WRDM, PGS, commercial, digital and litigation.
- Embraces technology accelerators and supports their adoption to modernize the approach to the development of patent portfolios.
- Track record of accountability and sound judgment, including the ability to take ownership of and move projects to closure.
- Excellent drafting and negotiation skills with an eye for detail combined with pragmatism/sound judgment.
- Excellent communication skills to convey complex strategic approaches to clients in a clear and concise manner.
- Must possess excellent analytical skills and be organized and detail oriented.
- Must demonstrate sound legal and business judgment and ability to advise on thoughtful risk-taking.
- Must be able to communicate clearly (written and oral) with commercial, research, legal, digital and business client colleagues.
NON-STANDARD WORK SCHEDULE, TRAVEL OR ENVIRONMENT REQUIREMENTS
- Travel as required
Other Job Details:
- Last Date to Apply for Job: March 8, 2022
For roles based in Colorado:
The annual base salary for this position ranges from $211,200 to $351,700. In addition, this position offers an annual bonus with a target of 25% of the base salary and eligibility to participate in our share based long term incentive program. Benefits offered include a retirement savings plan, 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.
Pfizer requires all U.S. new hires to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 prior to the first date of employment. As required by applicable law, Pfizer will consider requests for Reasonable Accommodations.
Sunshine Act
Pfizer reports payments and other transfers of value to health care providers as required by federal and state transparency laws and implementing regulations. These laws and regulations require Pfizer to provide government agencies with information such as a health care provider’s name, address and the type of payments or other value received, generally for public disclosure. Subject to further legal review and statutory or regulatory clarification, which Pfizer intends to pursue, reimbursement of recruiting expenses for licensed physicians may constitute a reportable transfer of value under the federal transparency law commonly known as the Sunshine Act. Therefore, if you are a licensed physician who incurs recruiting expenses as a result of interviewing with Pfizer that we pay or reimburse, your name, address and the amount of payments made currently will be reported to the government. If you have questions regarding this matter, please do not hesitate to contact your Talent Acquisition representative.
EEO & Employment Eligibility
Pfizer is committed to equal opportunity in the terms and conditions of employment for all employees and job applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, gender identity or gender expression, national origin, disability or veteran status. Pfizer also complies with all applicable national, state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment as well as work authorization and employment eligibility verification requirements of the Immigration and Nationality Act and IRCA. Pfizer is an E-Verify employer.
