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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 ...

Wwecorp

Counsel, Intellectual Property

Stamford, CT · On-site

... Head of Intellectual Property and Licensing. The ideal candidate will have approximately 6-8 years of legal experience, focused on intellectual property clearance, prosecution, enforcement and ...

WWE

Senior Counsel, Intellectual Property

Stamford, CT · On-site

... Head of Intellectual Property and Licensing. The ideal candidate will have approximately 6-8 years of legal experience, focused on intellectual property clearance, prosecution, enforcement and ...

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Intellectual Property Associate

Houston, TX

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 ...

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

As of Jun 12, 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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Head Intellectual Property Biotech jobs near you
Infographic showing various Head Intellectual Property Biotech job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 33% Full Time, 50% Part Time, and 17% Contract. Highlights an 93% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $159,999 per year, or $76.9 per hour.

Counsel, Intellectual Property

COMPASS Pathways

New York, NY • On-site, Remote

Full-time

Posted 11 days ago

Job description

Company introduction:

Compass Pathways plc (Nasdaq: CMPS) is a biotechnology company dedicated to accelerating patient access to evidence-based innovation in mental health. The Company is headquartered in London, UK, with offices in New York City in the US. We focus on developing novel treatments that have the potential to improve the lives of those who are suffering with mental health conditions and who are not helped by current treatments.  

We are pioneering a new paradigm for treating mental health conditions focused on rapid and durable responses through the development of our investigational COMP360 synthetic psilocybin treatment, potentially a first in class treatment. COMP360 has Breakthrough Therapy designation from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and has received Innovative Licensing and Access Pathway (ILAP) designation in the UK for treatment-resistant depression (TRD) due to the pressing unmet need in this area.

We are currently in phase 3 for TRD, have completed phase 2 studies for both post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and anorexia nervosa and are planning a further late-stage study in PTSD. We envision a world where mental health means not just the absence of illness but the ability to thrive. - Compass Pathways.

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

【For NYC】Compensation Description (annually):

Please note that the base salary range is a guideline, and individual total compensation will vary based on factors such as qualifications, skill level, competencies, and work location.

Base pay is one part of the Total Package that is provided to compensate and recognise employees for their work and any role at Compass, regardless of the location, is eligible for additional discretionary bonuses and equity.

【Base salary per annum】:
$180,000—$265,000 USD
Benefits & Compensation:

For an overview of our benefits package and compensation information, please visit "Working at Compass".

Equal opportunities:

Reasonable accommodation
We are committed to building a workplace where everyone's wellbeing matters. If you need reasonable accommodation during the interview process to be at your best, please let our recruiting team know.

UK applicants

We are proud of our commitment to diversity and equality (pursuant to the Equality Act 2010). We do not discriminate based upon race, religion or belief, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, gender, pregnancy or maternity, marital or civil partner status, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, age or disability.

US applicants

Compass Pathways is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All employment decisions are based on business needs, job requirements, and individual qualifications, without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions), ethnicity, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, military service, genetic information, familial or marital status, or any other status, category, or characteristic protected by applicable law.

Sponsorship:

Unfortunately, we cannot sponsor employment visas and can only accept applications if you have employment rights in the country to which you are applying.

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All data is confidential and protected by all legal and data privacy requirements, please see our recruitment Privacy Notice to learn more about how we process personal data.