Description

Mersana Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company using its differentiated and proprietary ADC platforms to rapidly develop novel ADCs with optimal efficacy, safety and tolerability to meaningfully improve the lives of people fighting cancer. Mersana’s lead product candidate, upifitamab rilsodotin (UpRi), is a Dolaflexin ADC targeting NaPi2b and is being studied in UPLIFT, a single-arm registration strategy in patients with platinum-resistant ovarian cancer, as well as in UPGRADE, a Phase 1 umbrella study in combination with other ovarian cancer therapies. XMT-1592, Mersana’s second ADC product candidate targeting NaPi2b-expressing tumors, was created using Mersana’s customizable and homogeneous Dolasynthen platform and is in the dose escalation portion of a Phase 1 proof-of-concept clinical study. The Company’s early-stage programs include XMT-1660, a Dolasynthen ADC targeting B7-H4, as well as XMT-2056, a STING-agonist ADC developed using the Company’s Immunosynthen platform and targeting a novel epitope of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2). In addition, multiple partners are using Mersana’s Dolaflexin platform to advance their ADC pipelines. The Company routinely posts information that may be useful to investors on the “Investors and Media” section of our website at www.mersana.com.

Mersana’s mission is to discover and develop life-changing antibody-drug conjugates for patients fighting cancer. We seek individuals who share our excitement about the possibilities our proprietary drug conjugation platforms offer, as well as our commitment to making a meaningful difference for patients and their families. At Mersana we have a highly collaborative culture and believe that our collective ability to make a difference exceeds the sum of our individual efforts. Our commitment to building a dynamic, highly engaged workplace is exemplified by The Boston Globe identifying Mersana as one of 2021’s Top Places To Work.

Mersana has an opening for an Associate Director/Director, Corporate Counsel. If you enjoy working with a dynamic in-house legal team, this role will allow you to grow with and have a broad impact in exciting company that is actively working to help patients living with cancer. This role will report into the Chief Legal Officer.

What’s in it for you?

In this role, you will have an opportunity to be part of a dynamic, growing Legal Team focused on providing client service-oriented support to each other, and to various key stakeholders within the Company. You will form close partnerships with internal clients and play a vital role in the contracting process. To be successful, you will have previous experience working in a fast-paced environment, and drafting, reviewing and negotiating a high volume of contracts on various subjects. This is an opportunity to be a part of a growing biotech with a vibrant and welcoming culture, where everyone’s input is valued.

How do you know if you’re the right fit?

You are comfortable collaborating with Legal Team members and internal stakeholders across multiple contracts with competing deadlines. You have strong verbal and written communication skills and can leverage your experience to maximize efficiencies and productivity. You operate with a focus on delivering high quality client service and can shepherd contracts from initial request through review, negotiation and execution. You can work independently but have judgment to know when seeking guidance from others, as needed by the complexities of the contract project, is appropriate. The key focus of this position will be contracting, so multiple years of drafting, negotiating and managing contracts is required. Prior biotech or life sciences experience is required.

Primarily, this role will:

Independently review, prepare and negotiate a wide range of biotech/life sciences contracts, including engagements with health care professionals, master service agreements, consulting agreements, advisory board services, confidentiality agreements, clinical site agreements and clinical supply agreements among others.

Demonstrate strong organizational and prioritization skills needed to manage multiple, parallel contract negotiations at any given time.

Collaborate closely and efficiently with internal business owners to advise them on the range of issues involved in a transaction, to provide practical problem-solving guidance and to educate clients on the potential business and legal risks that can arise throughout the life cycle of a business relationship.

Promote the organization’s compliance with internal approval and financial controls with respect to contract initiations and requisitions.

Contribute to special projects and respond to ad hoc requests as needed from time to time.

Engage collaboratively with Legal Team members as needed, across other areas.

The other stuff

This role is best suited for a lawyer (JD) with at least 5-7 years of experience in-house at a biotech or large pharmaceutical company and with strong transactional and compliance experience. Experience in a fast-paced, high-volume setting is strongly preferred. Other essential skills include: attention to detail, commitment to integrity and ethics, strong collaboration and teamwork, ability to maintain professionalism under pressure, and a healthy sense of humor.

Position is eligible for bonus, option awards and benefits including medical, dental and life insurance, 401(k) participation, vacation, and paid holidays.

Successful candidate must be authorized to work in the United States.

Mersana Therapeutics, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer.