About the role

Sana Biotechnology is growing, and we are hiring new team members who believe in the potential of engineered cells as medicines, who want to challenge the status quo, and who lead with the desire to work on novel ideas.  As an Executive Director you will develop the company’s intellectual property strategy in the cell and gene therapy space, as well as counsel clients, manage patent drafting and prosecution, and perform patent landscape activities, review publications and support business activities as needed.  The Executive Director will be an integral working partner with the company’s research and development (R&D) organization.

What you’ll do

• Become embedded with R&D to develop a deep understanding of the science and technologies at Sana
• Lead and develop the IP strategy for certain pre-clinical and clinical programs, including building, drafting, and prosecuting patent portfolios
• Partner with R&D to identify patentable subject matter and implement patent protection strategies
• Work with the R&D team to advise and guide on intellectual property development and strategy
• Conduct or direct patent landscape and third party patent searches and develop strategies for freedom-to-operate, infringement and validity analyses, risk evaluation and mitigation strategies, adverse proceedings, and litigation activities
• Partner with other business functions to provide strategic advice in connection with strategic transactions, licensing agreements, and research collaborations
• Develop IP policies and provide IP-related education to the company
• Manage external relationships with outside counsel and licensors/licensees
• Stay informed of any changes to law, industry, and the external business environment

What we’re looking for

• Bachelors plus at least 15 yrs or equivalent combination of relevant education and experience
• Ph.D. degree
• Membership in at least one state bar
• Admitted to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
• 7+ years experience in patent drafting and prosecution, including global portfolios
• Experience managing high-volume intellectual property workflow
• Intense commitment to high moral standards and business ethics
• Significant experience in evaluating complex patent landscapes, infringement and validity analyses, and risk evaluation and mitigation strategies
• Ability to handle complex intellectual property matters with an ability to think strategically and granularly
• Experience in in-licensing and other complex business transactions
• Strong collaborator who can work successfully and build relationships with internal legal colleagues, internal stakeholders, and external parties to achieve business goals
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, articulate, direct and forthright
• Be part of a team of business focused, creative, and strategic thinkers with broad perspectives
• Strong organizational and administrative skills
• Must have attention to detail and excellent drafting skills
• Strong ability to adapt to changes and be agile

What will separate you from the crowd

• Ph.D. degree in biochemistry, biology, immunology, or another technical field relevant to the biotech industry
• Experience in the support and launch of commercial product candidates
• Experience managing intellectual property and developing IP strategies for cellular and/or gene therapies
• Experience both in the law firm and in-house legal department settings