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Head Intellectual Property Biotech Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Compass Pathways

Job overview : The Counsel, Intellectual Property will play a critical role in supporting and ... biotechnology industry * Understanding of the drug development process, from early discovery ...

MD Anderson

Intellectual Property Specialist

Houston, TX · On-site

Part of the broader Strategic Industry Ventures team, it protects intellectual property, markets inventions, negotiates licenses with biotech and pharma partners, and helps launch faculty-led startup ...

5 Legal

Intellectual Property Associate

Houston, TX · On-site

Top 200 AmLaw firm seeks an associate to join their Intellectual Property Group in their Houston ... advanced degree in biotechnology. Candidates must have strong writing and analytical skills and ...

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Azenta

Sr. Counsel, Intellectual Property

Plainfield, IN · On-site

Counsel, Intellectual Property About Azenta At Azenta, new ideas, new technologies and new ways of ... biotech, academic and healthcare institutions globally. We provide unparalleled capabilities with ...

Azenta

Sr. Counsel, Intellectual Property

Boston, MA · On-site

Counsel, Intellectual Property About Azenta At Azenta, new ideas, new technologies and new ways of ... biotech, academic and healthcare institutions globally. We provide unparalleled capabilities with ...

Azenta

Sr. Counsel, Intellectual Property

Burlington, MA · On-site

Counsel, Intellectual Property About Azenta At Azenta, new ideas, new technologies and new ways of ... biotech, academic and healthcare institutions globally. We provide unparalleled capabilities with ...

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Head Intellectual Property Biotech information

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$139.5K

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How much do head intellectual property biotech jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 4, 2026, the average yearly pay for head intellectual property biotech in the United States is $159,999.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $150,000.00 and $170,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Head of Intellectual Property in Biotech, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Head of Intellectual Property in Biotech, you need deep expertise in patent law, intellectual property strategy, and a strong scientific background in biotechnology—typically supported by a law degree (JD), a technical degree (PhD or equivalent), and patent bar registration. Familiarity with IP management software, patent databases, and international filing systems is essential. Exceptional analytical thinking, leadership, and negotiation skills help you guide teams and communicate with inventors, executives, and external counsel. These capabilities are vital to protect innovation, secure competitive advantage, and ensure compliance in a complex, rapidly evolving industry.

What is the difference between Head Intellectual Property Biotech vs Patent Manager Biotech?

AspectHead Intellectual Property BiotechPatent Manager Biotech
CredentialsAdvanced degree in life sciences, law, or IPDegree in science or engineering, often with IP certification
Work EnvironmentStrategic leadership, cross-department collaborationPatent drafting, prosecution, and portfolio management
Employer & Industry UsageBiotech companies, pharma firms, research institutionsBiotech and pharmaceutical companies, law firms

The Head Intellectual Property Biotech typically holds a strategic leadership role overseeing IP portfolios and innovation strategies, while the Patent Manager Biotech focuses more on patent prosecution, drafting, and technical IP management. Both roles require strong technical backgrounds and IP knowledge but differ in scope and seniority.

What does a Head of Intellectual Property do in the biotech industry?

A Head of Intellectual Property (IP) in the biotech industry is responsible for developing and executing strategies to protect a company's inventions, patents, trademarks, and trade secrets. This role involves overseeing IP portfolio management, ensuring compliance with relevant laws, and supporting business objectives through effective IP protection. The Head of IP often works closely with scientists, legal teams, and executives to secure and defend the company's proprietary technologies, helping maintain a competitive advantage in the market.

How does the Head of Intellectual Property in a biotech company typically collaborate with research and development teams?

The Head of Intellectual Property (IP) in a biotech company works closely with R&D teams to identify, protect, and manage innovations at every stage of development. This collaboration involves regular meetings to review ongoing projects, assess patentability, and provide guidance on documenting inventions. By engaging early and frequently, the Head of IP ensures that valuable discoveries are strategically protected, aligns IP strategy with business goals, and helps prevent potential infringement issues. This cross-functional teamwork is essential for maximizing the company's competitive advantage and supporting successful product commercialization.
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Counsel, Intellectual Property

Compass Pathways

On-site, Remote

Other

Posted 27 days ago

Job description

Job overview:  

The Counsel, Intellectual Property will play a critical role in supporting and executing the global intellectual property (IP) strategy for Compass Pathways, working closely with the VP of Intellectual Property, as well as the Senior Manager, IP. This role is essential to identifying, protecting, and defending the company's innovations, particularly concerning our proprietary formulations, novel treatment protocols, and expanding pipeline. You will serve as a collaborative partner to the scientific, legal, and commercial teams, ensuring our IP portfolio aligns with the company's overarching mission to transform mental healthcare.

Location: Hybrid in our New York City office or remote on the East Coast, US.

Reports to: Vice President, Intellectual Property.

Roles and responsibilities 
(Include but are not limited to): 

  • Collaborate with the Intellectual Property team and other key stakeholders to support the development and execution of the global intellectual property strategy to protect the company's innovations, including COMP360 synthetic psilocybin and other pipeline assets
  • Manage the preparation, filing, and prosecution of patent applications worldwide, ensuring robust protection of novel therapies, formulations, and treatment protocols
  • Conduct validity, freedom-to-operate (FTO), patentability, and infringement searches and analyses to help inform research and development programs and commercialization strategies
  • Partner closely with R&D, Clinical, and Commercial teams to identify new inventions and file patent applications throughout the product lifecycle
  • Support the strategic direction and management of external patent counsel effectively to ensure high-quality and cost-efficient patent prosecution and legal advice
  • Monitor and analyze the competitive patent landscape within the mental health and psychedelic therapy sectors to identify potential risks and opportunities, reporting findings to the VP, Intellectual Property
  • Assist with IP support for business development activities, including providing input on due diligence for potential partnerships, licensing opportunities, and acquisitions as needed under the guidance of the Vice President, IP
  • Educate and advise internal stakeholders on IP matters, fostering a culture of IP awareness and compliance across the organization
  • Support potential patent litigation or administrative proceedings (e.g., US IPRs, European oppositions) as needed under the guidance of the Vice President, IP

Candidate Profile:

  • Qualified US Patent Attorney (registered to practice before the USPTO)
  • Advanced degree (Ph.D. or Master's) in chemistry, pharmacology, biochemistry, or a closely related scientific field
  • Strong understanding of small molecule chemistry
  • 5+ years of experience drafting and prosecuting patent applications, conducting FTOs, and managing IP portfolios, with a strong preference for background in the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry
  • Understanding of the drug development process, from early discovery through clinical trials and product commercialization
  • Demonstrated ability to translate complex scientific and legal concepts into actionable business advice for cross-functional teams
  • Experience working with external counsel and operating effectively within an allocated budget
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with a highly collaborative and proactive approach to problem-solving
  • Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, exercising independent judgment while contributing to a mission-driven team
  • Alignment with our culture and values

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