Intellectual Property / Patent Attorney

About the role

Roche Diagnostics is looking for a patent professional to handle the intellectual property of technologies that affect patients' everyday lives. As a functional lead on teams creating, developing and improving molecular diagnostic assays, testing platforms, nucleic acid sequencing technologies and systems, you will manage and expand a patent portfolio and ensure freedom-to-operate for these technologies and the automated workflows they use. The position is based in Pleasanton, CA or Santa Clara, CA, and is not fully remote.

Key responsibilities

• Counsel stakeholders in R&D, manufacturing, business development, portfolio and lifecycle management, and commercialization
• Render legal opinions on patentability, validity and freedom-to-operate for product development
• Manage a substantial worldwide patent portfolio and perform patent prosecution, directly or with outside counsel
• Identify patenting opportunities arising from company R&D and align the portfolio with business needs
• Use patent trends and case law, combined with technical understanding, to devise patent strategies
• Conduct or assist with due diligence, including freedom-to-operate, infringement and validity analyses, and develop risk mitigation strategies
• Support IP-related contracts such as MTAs, CDAs, research collaborations, licensing agreements, acquisitions and litigation

Required profile

• 7+ years of experience in patent prosecution and counseling in a corporate setting and/or law firm
• Registered US patent agent or attorney; attorneys must be in good standing with at least one state bar
• Advanced degree or equivalent experience in Molecular Biology, Biology, Biochemistry or Chemistry
• Experience patenting nucleic acid detection methods and nucleic acid chemistry, preferably next-generation sequencing methods and reagents and protein engineering
• Contract and transactional experience is desirable but not required
• Some travel required; relocation benefits are not available

What we offer

• Expected salary range of $186,800 to $346,800 depending on experience, qualifications and location
• A discretionary annual bonus may be available
• The position qualifies for the benefits described in the original listing