Senior Director, Intellectual Property

Senior Director, Intellectual Property

Cambridge, MA

About Us…

Obsidian Therapeutics is pioneering engineered cell and gene therapies to deliver transformative outcomes for patients. Obsidian’s programs apply our CytoDriveTM technology in Cell and Gene therapy products to control expression of proteins for enhanced therapeutic efficacy and safety. Obsidian’s lead program is currently in preclinical development for the treatment of patients with metastatic melanoma and other solid tumors.

We’re proud of our diverse talented team and committed to cultivating an environment of inclusion where each person feels a strong sense of belonging and is supported to continuously learn and contribute their best work. Our research team is based in the heart of Cambridge, MA, and our Technical Development and Manufacturing will soon be moving to a brand new facility in Bedford, MA to support our growth.  Obsidianites enjoy a highly collaborative culture, competitive salary and benefits, and potential for ownership through stock options.

Our Opportunity…

We’re looking for a motivated and experienced patent attorney with a strong life sciences background to secure intellectual property protection and manage IP matters crucial for the success of a growing biotech company. As Senior Director, Intellectual Property at Obsidian, you will manage all intellectual property matters for Obsidian, including developing patent portfolios that align with the company’s business needs, providing strategic counsel to the R&D organization and senior leadership team, and providing IP support for business development activities. This position reports to the Chief Legal Officer and partners closely with the Chief Scientific Officer; you’ll be a vital part of a highly collaborative team working to achieve Obsidian’s vision by translating innovative science into medical breakthroughs for patients.

This is a unique opportunity to be a leader in a well-funded pre-clinical company with blue chip investors, field-leading advisors, best-in-class partners (BMS and Vertex), and an experienced team. You'll help us build a dynamic, innovative, passionate, collaborative, and successful organization focused on delivering transformative therapies in areas of greatest clinical need.

You Will…

• Collaborate with the Chief Legal Officer, Chief Scientific Officer, other functional leaders and research scientists to develop and execute global intellectual property strategies consistent with Obsidian’s business objectives and priorities.
• Supervise and collaborate with outside counsel in the preparation and prosecution of patent applications, the drafting of legal opinions, and other matters as needed.
• Perform patentability, validity and freedom to operate assessments for internal R&D programs and business development opportunities.
• Counsel internal “clients” on IP matters, including identifying and protecting inventions and educating colleagues on global IP topics.
• Conduct competitive intelligence and landscape analyses and collaborate with internal colleagues to mitigate third party IP risks.
• Support the drafting and negotiation of collaboration, service, licensing and other agreements involving the use, transfer or ownership of IP.
• Lead the preparation and implementation of IP policies and guidelines.

 You Bring…

Core Qualifications

• 6+ years’ experience as a practicing patent attorney in a biotech/pharmaceutical company or law firm.
• JD. or equivalent from accredited law school and member in good standing of a Bar of at least one state or the District of Columbia, and/ or Ph.D. in relevant scientific discipline (e.g., immunology, genetics, molecular biology, microbiology or biochemistry.
• Registered to practice before the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office.
• Expertise in drafting and prosecuting patent applications in cell and gene therapies, nucleic acid-based therapeutics or biologics.
• Proficient in performing landscape, patentability, validity and freedom to operate assessments.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously in an organized and resourceful fashion.
• Highly collaborative working style with a track record of building trusting relationships, inviting and sharing ideas and feedback, productively challenge your own and others’ assumptions to generate new ideas and facilitate better outcomes.
• Proven ability to translate strategies into actionable plans, lead cross-functional and external resources to meet objectives and timelines, and adapt to changes and priorities in order to fulfill our mission.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills.
• Scientific curiosity, and a track record of self-directed learning.

 Bonus Qualifications

•  Prior experience working as a research scientist or similar role in biotech/pharmaceutical company is a plus.

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Obsidian is proud to be an equal opportunity employer, cultivating a welcoming and diverse environment. All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, veteran status or any other applicable legally protected characteristics.