Job Abstract

Are you energized by a role that drives efficiency in patents and intellectual property? Do you want to work with teams developing medicines and technologies to make a difference in patients’ lives?  If so, a Patent Counsel role with GSK could be an ideal opportunity for you.

At GSK, respect and inclusivity are at the heart of our culture as a company. GSK fosters diversity, equity and inclusion, reflecting the communities we serve. Diversity is an essential component of success as we aim to positively impact the health of a global community. We believe that inclusion is key to uniting science, technology, and talent to change the course of disease. Together, we embrace individuality and strive to be a force for good.

This role will provide YOU the opportunity to lead key activities to progress YOUR career. As a patent attorney at GSK, you will be building patent strategies for medicines and technologies making an impact on patients’ lives.

As a valued team member, you will help bring new medicines to patients by serving as a functional lead on teams that are working to develop innovative drugs and biologics in our core therapeutic areas. In this role, you will build and manage a portfolio and ensure freedom-to-operate for therapeutics in GSK’s portfolio. Key responsibilities will include but are not limited to:

This role will provide YOU the opportunity to lead key activities to progress YOUR career, these responsibilities include some of the following:

• Independently (with supervision and guidance from other attorneys in the department) build and manage patent portfolios related to cutting-edge pharmaceutical products.
• Draft and prosecute patent applications, including responding to office actions in the U.S., working with patent colleagues in the UK, and working with local agents in non-U.S./non-European jurisdictions.
• Work with a large team of in-house U.S. and European patent attorneys, paralegals, and support staff.
• Support the larger R&D organization, including client counseling, invention spotting, freedom-to-operate analysis, due diligence analysis and reporting, and helping to identify non-patent legal or business risks.
• Exposure to, and interaction with, major areas of the business including commercial, clinical, regulatory, business development, manufacturing and supply, and transactional groups.
• Support U.S. and non-U.S. litigation, oppositions, IPRs, or other judicial and non-judicial proceedings around the world.

We are looking for professionals with these required skills to achieve our goals:

• U.S. law degree (juris doctorate) from an accredited law school and admitted to practice law in at least one U.S. state.
• Bachelor degree in a life science (e.g., biology, chemistry, pharmacy, or similar).
• Admitted to practice in front of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO bar admission).
• 1+ years of patent prosecution experience in a law firm or in-house patent department with significant experience drafting, filing, and prosecuting life science patent applications in U.S. and foreign jurisdictions. 
• Ability to work at a GSK site in Durham, NC; Rockville, MD; or Upper Providence, PA two to three days per week.
• The ability to accommodate occasional, multi-day business trips (less than 10% of working days).

If you have the following characteristics, it would be a plus:

• Significant experience drafting patent applications directed to large or small molecule therapeutics (antibodies, chemical compounds, oligonucleotides, vaccines), and related processes, formulations, methods of use and the like.
• Advanced life science degree or 3 plus years of experience working as biomedical research scientist, medicinal chemist, or similar. 
• Experience conducting freedom-to-operate assessments for commercial products or products in development.
• Comfort using, or willingness to incorporate, technological tools and systems to increase workplace efficiency.
• Ability to communicate effectively and confidently with R&D clients, business partners, and senior management.
• Ability to work well with an international, multicultural, diverse team located in different jurisdictions and time zones.

Please visit  GSK US Benefits Summary to learn more about the comprehensive benefits program GSK offers US employees.

Why GSK?

Uniting science, technology and talent to get ahead of disease together.

GSK is a global biopharma company with a special purpose – to unite science, technology and talent to get ahead of disease together – so we can positively impact the health of billions of people and deliver stronger, more sustainable shareholder returns – as an organisation where people can thrive. We prevent and treat disease with vaccines, specialty and general medicines. We focus on the science of the immune system and the use of new platform and data technologies, investing in four core therapeutic areas (infectious diseases, HIV, respiratory/ immunology and oncology).

Our success absolutely depends on our people. While getting ahead of disease together is about our ambition for patients and shareholders, it’s also about making GSK a place where people can thrive. We want GSK to be a place where people feel inspired, encouraged and challenged to be the best they can be. A place where they can be themselves – feeling welcome, valued, and included. Where they can keep growing and look after their wellbeing. So, if you share our ambition, join us at this exciting moment in our journey to get Ahead Together.

If you require an accommodation or other assistance to apply for a job at GSK, please contact the GSK Service Centre at 1-877-694-7547 (US Toll Free) or +1 801 567 5155 (outside US).

GSK is an Equal Opportunity Employer and, in the US, we adhere to Affirmative Action principles. This ensures that all qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, pregnancy, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, age, disability, genetic information, military service, covered/protected veteran status or any other federal, state or local protected class.

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