Patent Counsel

Support Sanofi’s Business Development, Commercial Operations, Regulatory Affairs, Public Affairs and Market Access and Trade, Manufacture and Supply, and Research and Development in China, Japan and other Asia Pacific region.

About Job

§ Counsel clients on IP issues faced by international pharmaceutical companies; provide strategic patent advice to business units on patent opportunities and risks.

§ Provide IP support to transactional opportunities, including evaluation of merger and acquisition, licensing and collaboration opportunities, patent due diligence (including identification of key IP assets and available exclusivity, evaluation of ownership, patentability, validity and enforceability of IP rights, review of freedom to operate, assessment of relative IP positions of key competitors, and analysis of third-party agreements), and contract drafting and negotiation.

§ Identify, draft, file and prosecute patent applications for inventions arising from research and development work, including new chemical entities, biologics and secondary patents (e.g., additional indications and combinations).

§ Support patent litigation efforts.

§ Work with outside counsels on conducting patent searches and provide freedom to operate opinions.

§ Monitor IP-related legislation and practice; provide updates on IP developments.  Actively participate in IP advocacy by industrial and trade organizations.

§ Review proposed research papers and other publications for any impact on existing and future patent estate.

• Develop and maintain an appropriate network inside Sanofi.

About You

Qualifications Sought

§ Advanced degree, Ph.D. preferred, in chemistry or biotechnology

§ Qualified patent agent/attorney in the US, a major European country, China or Japan

§ J.D. from the US or an equivalent law degree from a major European country, China or Japan

§ Five plus years of experience in patent transaction, prosecution and litigation, contract drafting and negotiation, and client counseling, either in a law firm or corporation

§ Language skills required for the job: Fluency in English, Chinese (and Japanese, a plus)  

Required Profile:

§ A motivated self-starting person exhibiting initiative to contribute to the team in more ways than mere handling of assigned projects.

§ Ability to work in a team within an international professional network and interact with colleagues in other countries.

§ Ability to work and counsel internal clients.

§ Ability to tackle IP challenges from changes in pharmaceutical technologies, businesses and policies.