Senior Counsel - Patent -- Biosimilars (m/f/o)

Amgen is searching for a Senior Counsel - Patent - Biosimilars in our Intellectual Property and Litigation group. Preferably, this role will be based on our main corporate campus in Thousand Oaks, California, but may also be located at any of Amgen's sites in: San Francisco, California; Cambridge, Massachusetts; Munich, Germany; or Rotkreuz, Switzerland.

The Senior Counsel will develop and implement global patent litigation strategies for Amgen biosimilar products in collaboration with other in-house attorneys. The Senior Counsel will ensure consistency among arguments in multiple countries. The Senior Counsel will have direct involvement and shared responsibility in all aspects of ex-US patent disputes, in both judicial and administrative tribunals, from initial issue identification through resolution. Working in partnership with outside counsel and other in-house attorneys and staff, the Senior Counsel will develop and drive case strategies as an active team member, including all non-infringement, invalidity, and as needed, freedom to operate analysis. In addition, the Senior Counsel will have hands-on involvement in such aspects as witness interviews, discovery, motion and brief drafting, trial preparation, and participation at trial and on appeal.

In addition to ex-US patent disputes, other responsibilities for the Senior Counsel could include coordinating with other in-house attorneys on US litigation or potentially other U.S. adversarial proceedings such as IPRs or PGRs.

Other responsibilities for the Senior Counsel could include freedom-to-operate and pre-litigation activities, such as identification of relevant patents, conducting searches for prior art, analyzing third party patents, and developing persuasive legal arguments.

The Senior Counsel will also be responsible for developing and counseling others on intellectual property strategies associated with Amgen's business and research endeavors.

The Senior Counsel will work individually and in legal teams.

10% - 20% domestic and global travel anticipated.

Basic Qualifications:

J.D. degree or LL.M. or equivalent European law degree from an accredited law school, admission to practice law in a U.S. or European jurisdiction, and four (4) years of experience practicing intellectual property law

Preferred Qualifications:

J.D. degree or LL.M. degree from an ABA accredited law school

10+ years of experience practicing patent law

7+ years of experience litigating U.S. patent disputes in federal and/or administrative courts, 4+ years of which involved biotechnology-related matters. Ideally, including both law firm and in-house biotechnology/pharmaceutical corporation experience.

Experience in foreign adversarial proceedings (patent litigation, oppositions, nullity actions, PMNOC proceedings, patent linkage proceedings, etc.). Ideally, experience developing and implementing global patent litigation strategy in multiple countries (such as Europe, Australia, Canada, or Japan).

Trial experience (bench or jury)

Experience in other U.S. adversarial proceedings such as IPRs or PGRs.

Registered to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

Undergraduate degree in the sciences and a working understanding of molecular biology, cell biology, microbiology, biochemistry, genetics, immunology, structural biology, pharmaceutics, or chemical engineering. Ideally an advanced degree, such as a Master's or Ph.D., or research experience in one of these areas.

Excellent judgement, analytical skills, legal drafting, and oral and written communication skills

Strong management skills as well as a strong client service focus and the ability to work independently and in teams; ability to navigate through ambiguity; and ability to work efficiently, to prioritize workflow, to meet demanding deadlines, and to manage multi-dimensional projects in a fast-paced environment

Amgen provides a collaborative and creative culture in a company with a strong track record of innovation. Our culture encourages open dialogue and diverse views to land on the best solutions, and we help ensure our staff are equipped to excel today and tomorrow.

Amgen is committed to unlocking the potential for patients suffering from serious illnesses by discovering, developing, manufacturing and delivering innovative human therapeutics. This approach begins by using tools like advanced human genetics to unravel the complexities of disease and understand the fundamentals of human biology.

Amgen focuses on areas of high unmet medical need and leverages its expertise to strive for solutions that improve health outcomes and dramatically improve people's lives. A biotechnology pioneer since 1980, Amgen has grown to be one of the world's leading independent biotechnology companies, has reached millions of patients around the world and is developing a pipeline of medicines with breakaway potential.