Senior Patent Counsel

Our mission is to develop therapies that empower the immune system to combat neurodegeneration and our team is focused on developing treatments for some of the most challenging diseases facing our society. We are supported in this mission by experienced and accomplished scientists and clinicians, a novel portfolio of programs, leading healthcare investors, and pharma company partners, who share in our commitment to bettering the lives of patients and realizing a world where we make brain disorders history 

Alector seeks a qualified life sciences patent attorney with transactional law experience. Partnering with various functions throughout the organization, the Senior Patent Counsel role requires a motivated, strategic advisor who can navigate sophisticated business and legal matters typical of a clinical-stage biotech company and has the ability to develop practical solutions that balance business objectives and risk mitigation. This role provides a unique opportunity to join an innovative culture committed to bringing new paradigm-shifting therapies to patients with debilitating neurodegenerative diseases.

As Senior Patent Counsel, your primary responsibilities will include identifying and securing protection for Alector’s valuable intellectual property, managing global patent prosecution and strategies, counseling clients and cross-functional teams, and conducting patentability and freedom-to-operate analyses. You will also support Alector’s transactional law practice as needed.

Job Responsibilities Include:

• Developing and implementing strategies for building robust global intellectual property portfolios that cover Alector’s research, development, and clinical-stage programs
• Identifying and protecting inventions relating to protein and antibody therapeutics and blood-brain barrier platform technologies 
• Preparing and prosecuting patent applications, both in-house and with outside counsel
• Conducting patentability and freedom-to-operate analyses to navigate risk and inform patent and business strategies
• Effectively managing intellectual property matters involving external business partners in accordance with existing collaboration agreements
• Clearly communicating business-relevant risk assessments to senior leadership and other stakeholders to advance company objectives and decision-making 
• Supporting other IP activities such as publication clearance 
• Drafting and negotiating various types of agreements and terms, including intellectual property and other complex provisions
• Supporting contracting needs of multiple functions across the organization to advance critical Alector programs 
• Assisting with additional legal projects as needed 
• This position will report to the Senior Director, IP at Alector

We’d love to hear from you if you have:

• 5+ years of experience as patent counsel at a law firm and/or in-house at a pharmaceutical / biotech company, with significant experience in large molecule therapeutics 
• J.D. degree from an accredited law school with membership in good standing with a state bar, with the ability to practice law in-house in California 
• Admission to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO)
• Advanced degree (Ph.D. or M.S.) in the biological or life sciences
• Strong experience in drafting and prosecuting life science patent applications and managing global patent portfolios in a pharma/biotech setting
• Experience drafting and negotiating agreements, including those involving intellectual property matters
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills (written and oral) with the ability to communicate complex issues to varied audiences
• A positive “can-do” attitude and proactive mindset 
• Flexibility to manage multiple projects and client demands
• A desire to have a positive impact on unmet needs in neurodegenerative disease

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At Alector, our vision is bold, people are our priority, and our values are at the core of everything we do. Our dynamic and flexible environment encourages our teams to experiment, take ownership of decisions, and question convention to solve complex problems. We value shared wins, perseverance, and a growth mindset, which drives us forward, together.

Among the things you'll discover at Alector from your very first day are our committed and driven colleagues, a bold company vision, and new, modern offices designed to inspire innovation and collaboration in South San Francisco, right at the heart of Biotech Bay. Our benefits are thoughtfully designed around Alectorians and their loved ones and include flexible hybrid work options, competitive compensation, and comprehensive and unique benefits that enhance your health and well-being. Come join us! 

We believe that hard-working teams include people from a wide variety of backgrounds and experiences who can challenge each other’s assumptions with fresh perspectives and bring creative ideas to the table. We are committed to building an open, diverse, and inclusive environment for all employees. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status, or any other characteristics protected under applicable federal, state, or local laws.

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

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