Patent Attorney (m/f/d)

Job description

As PATENT ATTORNEY BIOLOGY/BIOTECH, you will be part of the Global Biologics Patent team within Sanofi's Global Intellectual Property Department. Based in Frankfurt, you will be dedicated to all aspects of patent protection for a diverse range of programs across Sanofi's global business units in the biologics area. You will advise on a wide range of intellectual property matters, including patent preparation and prosecution, worldwide patent portfolio management, overall IP strategy, patentability, and freedom-to-operate analyses.

Responsibilities

·  Interact with clients (Therapeutic Units and R&D technology platforms) mainly in Germany on a daily basis, provide client counselling and proactively solicit invention disclosures
·  Proactively counsel clients about IP strategy related to client's business
·  Provide patentability evaluation of IP related to internal or external projects
·  Prepare, file and prosecute EPO, US and foreign patent applications in biotechnology areas
·  Participate in the drafting, reviewing and negotiations of agreements covering intellectual property rights
·  Conduct, direct and analyse searches and renders opinions on validity, non-infringement and patent avoidance of third-party patents
·  Review proposed research papers and other publications for impact on patent estate
·  Manage post filing legal aspects (oppositions, litigation)

Requirements

·  A motivated proactive person, exhibiting initiative to contribute to the team in more ways than mere handling of assigned projects
·  Graduate degree (Diploma, Master, PhD) in a biological or biochemistry science, ideally with PhD.
·  European Patent Attorney qualification with ideally at least 2-3 y post-EQE experience
·  German Patent Attorney qualification would be a plus
·  7-10 years minimum of patent law experience gained in-house or in a law firm
·  Mandatory requirement is experience in handling complex biologics IP matters, especially therapeutic biological molecules, such as antibodies, peptides, nucleic acids and/or cytokines, and in the field of biologics platform activities (multi-specific antibodies, antibody formats, gene therapy, bioprocesses, formulations, drug device combinations, etc.)
·  Able to independently handle the drafting and prosecution of patent applications
·  Experience in drafting and negotiating IP agreements
·  Experience in handling EPO oppositions and Appeals, with good advocacy skills, would be a plus.
·  Ability to work in a team within an international professional network and interact with colleagues in other countries
·  Fluent in German and English

Our offer:

·  An international work environment, in which you can develop your talent and realize ideas and innovations within a competent team
·  An attractive, market-oriented salary aligned with your qualifications and including social benefits above average (e.g. company pension plans, health management)
·  An individual and well-structured introduction and training of new employees
·  You can create your own career path within Sanofi. Your professional and personal development will be supported purposefully
·  As a globally successful and constantly growing company, Sanofi provides international career paths as well

At Sanofi diversity and inclusion is foundational to how we operate and embedded in our Core Values. We recognize to truly tap into the richness diversity brings we must lead with inclusion and have a workplace where those differences can thrive and be leveraged to empower the lives of our colleagues, patients and customers. We respect and celebrate the diversity of our people, their backgrounds and experiences and provide equal opportunity for all.