Senior Counsel - Patent Medicinal/Pharmaceutical Chemistry

At Amgen, if you feel like you’re part of something bigger, it’s because you are. Our shared mission—to serve patients living with serious illnesses—drives all that we do.

Since 1980, we’ve helped pioneer the world of biotech in our fight against the world’s toughest diseases. With our focus on four therapeutic areas –Oncology, Inflammation, General Medicine, and Rare Disease– we reach millions of patients each year. Amgen is advancing a broad and deep pipeline of medicines to treat cancer, heart disease, inflammatory conditions, rare diseases, and obesity and obesity-related conditions. As a member of the Amgen team, you’ll help make a lasting impact on the lives of patients as we research, manufacture, and deliver innovative medicines to help people live longer, fuller happier lives.

Our award-winning culture is collaborative, innovative, and science based. If you have a passion for challenges and the opportunities that lay within them, you’ll thrive as part of the Amgen team. Join us and transform the lives of patients while transforming your career.

Let’s do this. Let’s change the world. In this vital role you will work individually and in legal teams and on cross-functional R&D and business teams across various geographies.

This Senior Counsel position can be remotely located, or work from one of these Amgen locations: Thousand Oaks, CA; Cambridge, MA; or South San Francisco (CA).

Responsibilities will include:

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  Working with Amgen scientists to identify patentable subject matter

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  Drafting, filing, and prosecuting patent applications worldwide

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  Conducting prior art searches

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  Analyzing patents and preparing freedom-to-operate opinions

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  Conducting due diligence in support of licensing activities

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  Negotiating and drafting research agreements

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  Providing legal advice and counsel to R&D and business partners on a variety of IP related matters

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  Assisting with litigation-related matters and challenging/defending patents in PTAB, opposition, and other forums.

We are all different, yet we all use our unique contributions to serve patients. The dynamic professional we seek has these qualifications.

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• J.D. degree or LL.M. degree from an accredited law school, admission to practice law in a U.S. jurisdiction;

and

• Four plus (4+) years of experience practicing intellectual property law;

and

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

• Ten (10) or more years of experience practicing patent or intellectual property law

• Experience in all aspects of U.S. and foreign intellectual property law relating to biotechnology at a law firm or biotechnology/pharmaceutical corporation

• An advanced degree such as a master’s degree or Ph.D. in organic or medicinal chemistry

• Excellent analytic, legal drafting and oral and written communication skills

• Strong management and leadership skills as well as a strong client service focus and the ability to work independently and in teams

• Ability to work efficiently, to prioritize workflow, to meet demanding deadlines, and to manage multi-dimensional projects in a fast-paced environment

• Experience in U.S. and/or foreign adversarial proceedings (such as patent litigation, Inter Partes Reviews, Post Grant Reviews, and oppositions)

As we work to develop treatments that take care of others, we also work to care for your professional and personal growth and well-being. From our competitive benefits to our collaborative culture, we’ll support your journey every step of the way.

The expected annual salary range for this role in the U.S. (excluding Puerto Rico) is posted. Actual salary will vary based on several factors including but not limited to, relevant skills, experience, and qualifications.

In addition to the base salary, Amgen offers a Total Rewards Plan, based on eligibility, comprising of health and welfare plans for staff and eligible dependents, financial plans with opportunities to save towards retirement or other goals, work/life balance, and career development opportunities that may include:

• A comprehensive employee benefits package, including a Retirement and Savings Plan with generous company contributions, group medical, dental and vision coverage, life and disability insurance, and flexible spending accounts

• A discretionary annual bonus program, or for field sales representatives, a sales-based incentive plan

• Stock-based long-term incentives

• Award-winning time-off plans

• Flexible work models where possible. Refer to the Work Location Type in the job posting to see if this applies.

In any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age-identifying information such as age, date of birth, or dates of school attendance or graduation. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information.

Amgen does not have an application deadline for this position; we will continue accepting applications until we receive a sufficient number or select a candidate for the position.

Sponsorship for this role is not guaranteed.

As an organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for people around the world, Amgen fosters an inclusive environment of diverse, ethical, committed and highly accomplished people who respect each other and live the Amgen values to continue advancing science to serve patients. Together, we compete in the fight against serious disease.

Amgen is an Equal Opportunity employer and will consider all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, or any other basis protected by applicable law.

We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.