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Head Intellectual Property Biotech Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Azenta

Sr. Counsel, Intellectual Property

Burlington, MA · On-site

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

Danaher

Senior Intellectual Property Counsel

Boston, MA · On-site

$215K - $237K/yr

... biotechnology? At SCIEX, one of Danaher's 15+ operating companies, our work saves lives-and we're ... The Senior Intellectual Property Counsel is responsible for protecting SCIEX's innovations by ...

Danaher

Senior Intellectual Property Counsel

Boston, MA · On-site +1

$215K - $237K/yr

... biotechnology? At SCIEX, one of Danaher's 15+ operating companies, our work saves lives-and we're ... The Senior Intellectual Property Counsel is responsible for protecting SCIEX's innovations by ...

Direct Counsel

Patent Agent/Advisor (Biotech)

Palo Alto, CA · On-site

$125K - $205K/yr

Patent Agent/Advisor (Biotech) - Palo Alto Direct Counsel is seeking a Patent Agent/Advisor with a ... intellectual property law in a dynamic and highly regarded practice. The Opportunity The Patent ...

REGENXBIO

Paralegal, Intellectual Property

New York, NY · On-site

The Intellectual Property (IP) Paralegal will assist in legally protecting Company intellectual ... biotech or pharma industry preferred); Trademark experience a plus * Bachelor's degree required ...

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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 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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Sr. Counsel, Intellectual Property

Sr. Counsel, Intellectual Property

Azenta

Burlington, MA • On-site

Full-time

Posted 22 days ago

Job description

Azenta Inc.
At Azenta, new ideas, new technologies and new ways of thinking are driving our future. Our customer focused culture encourages employees to embrace innovation and challenge the status quo with novel thinking and collaborative work relationships.
All we accomplish is grounded in our core values of Customer Focus, Achievement, Accountability, Teamwork, Employee Value and Integrity
Job Title
Sr. Counsel, Intellectual Property
Job Description
About Azenta
At Azenta, new ideas, new technologies and new ways of thinking are driving our future. Our customer-focused culture encourages employees to embrace innovation and challenge the status quo with novel thinking and collaborative work relationships.
Azenta Life Sciences is a global leader in the life sciences space with headquarters in Burlington, MA, and offices and operations worldwide. We are a market leader in automated bio sample management solutions and genomic services across areas such as drug development, clinical and advanced cell therapies for the industry's top pharmaceutical, biotech, academic and healthcare institutions globally. We provide unparalleled capabilities with our lab analysis, sample management and storage services, informatics software, and consumables, with the largest installed base managing millions of samples globally.
Position Summary
The Sr. Counsel, Intellectual Property is a senior individual contributor responsible for the strategic management, protection, and enforcement of Azenta's global intellectual property portfolio. This role encompasses the full spectrum of IP disciplines (utility and design patents, trade secrets, trademarks, and copyrights), spans the complete IP lifecycle from procurement through enforcement and monetization, and collaborates cross-functionally to ensure our freedom to operate and secure contractually sound positions with suppliers, customers, and technology partners.
Reporting to the Senior Vice President, General Counsel & Corporate Secretary, the Sr. Counsel, IP will serve as a trusted advisor to executive leadership, R&D, product management, and business development teams on all IP matters. The successful candidate will be a proactive, strategic thinker who combines deep technical IP expertise with strong business acumen, excellent communication skills, and the ability to manage a high volume of work with efficiency and sound judgment.
Key Responsibilities
Patent Portfolio Strategy & Management
  • Manage Azenta's global patent portfolio, including developing and maintaining an in-depth understanding of the portfolio's strengths, gaps, and strategic opportunities relative to the company's current and future product roadmap and business trajectory.
  • Develop and implement near-term and long-term patent strategies to optimize portfolio coverage in technology areas critical to the company's growth - including automated sample management, cryogenic storage systems, biorepository operations, genomic sequencing and synthesis, LIMS/informatics, and related hardware and software innovations.
  • Oversee and lead the company's IP Steering Committee, facilitating cross-functional patent review meetings to evaluate invention disclosures, prioritize filings, and align IP investment with strategic business direction.
  • Drive patent harvesting and invention mining activities by engaging proactively with R&D and engineering teams to identify patentable innovations, solicit invention disclosures, and conduct inventor interviews.
  • Select, retain, and manage outside patent counsel for global prosecution activities, maintaining focus on quality, strategic alignment, cost control, and timely execution.
  • Oversee the preparation, filing, prosecution, and maintenance of patent and trademark applications worldwide, both through direct oversight and through management of outside counsel.

Freedom to Operate & Risk Management
  • Conduct and oversee freedom-to-operate (FTO) analyses in support of new product launches, technology development initiatives, and commercial activities to ensure Azenta can operate without infringing third-party IP rights.
  • Develop, coordinate, and review IP search and analysis projects, including patentability, validity, landscape, FTO, and product clearance analyses.
  • Monitor the competitive patent landscape in Azenta's key technology and market areas, identifying potential risks and opportunities and advising leadership accordingly.

IP Enforcement & Litigation
  • Identify and assess potential infringement of Azenta's IP rights by competitors and other third parties; develop and execute enforcement strategies, including cease-and-desist actions, licensing negotiations, and litigation when appropriate.
  • Support and manage IP-related litigation, including patent infringement actions, inter partes reviews (IPRs), post-grant proceedings, and foreign oppositions, in coordination with outside litigation counsel.
  • Provide IP litigation support, including claim construction analysis, infringement and invalidity assessments, and technical guidance to litigation teams.

M&A, Partnerships & Transactions
  • Support IP due diligence for acquisitions, investments, partnerships, license, and other strategic transactions, including evaluating target IP portfolios and identifying risks, opportunities, and integration considerations.
  • Support IP integration activities following completed acquisitions, including portfolio assessment, harmonization of prosecution strategies, and alignment with Azenta's overall IP program.
  • Negotiate, draft, and review IP-related agreements, including licenses, research and development collaborations, joint development agreements, and IP clauses for complex sales and supply agreements.

Training, Counseling & Communication
  • Develop and deliver training programs for Azenta personnel on critical IP topics, including trade secret identification and protection, proper handling of confidential information, careful communications regarding IP-sensitive matters, invention disclosure processes, and general IP awareness.
  • Serve as a trusted advisor and thought partner to executive leadership, R&D, product management, and business development on IP strategy and risk matters, tailoring communications to the audience and keeping stakeholders appropriately informed.
  • Provide clear, timely, and actionable reports to senior management on the status of the IP portfolio, key risks, enforcement activities, and strategic recommendations.

Key Success Criteria
  • Proactive & Strategic: Anticipates IP issues before they become problems; identifies emerging risks and opportunities and stays ahead of the competitive landscape, regulatory developments, and evolving case law.
  • Executive Communication: Understands what matters to senior leadership; tailors communications to the audience, distilling complex IP matters into clear, actionable business recommendations.
  • High-Volume Efficiency & AI Proficiency: Manages a high volume of diverse IP matters effectively and efficiently; leverages AI-powered tools (e.g., patent analytics, prior art search, and drafting tools) to accelerate workflows and improve output quality.
  • Collaboration & Influence: Builds strong, trusted relationships across R&D, product management, business development, and commercial teams; able to command the respect of, and influence, business leaders, peers, and outside counsel.
  • Full-Spectrum IP Expertise: Demonstrates deep knowledge across all attributes of IP - from FTO to protection to enforcement and litigation - across utility and design patents, trade secrets, trademarks, and copyrights.
  • Results Orientation: Committed to delivering measurable results; strong process orientation and a sense of urgency in a fast-paced, performance-driven environment.
  • Passion for What We Do: Inspired by Azenta's mission of enabling life sciences organizations around the world to bring impactful breakthroughs and therapies to market - faster.

Qualifications
Required
  • Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an ABA-accredited law school.
  • Active membership in good standing with at least one U.S. state bar.
  • Registration to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
  • 10+ years of progressive experience in intellectual property law, with top tier law firm experience preferred.
  • Demonstrated experience managing a global patent portfolio, including patent strategy development, prosecution oversight, and outside counsel management.
  • Substantive experience conducting or overseeing freedom-to-operate, patentability, validity, and landscape analyses.
  • Transactional IP experience, including in and out-licensing, strategic transactions, and IP diligence in M&A.
  • Experience with IP enforcement, including infringement analysis and management of IP litigation or post-grant proceedings.
  • Bachelor's degree or advanced degree in a scientific or engineering discipline (e.g., biology, biochemistry, molecular biology, chemistry, biomedical engineering, mechanical engineering, computer science, or a related field).
  • Familiarity with AI-powered IP tools and a demonstrated commitment to leveraging technology to improve efficiency and quality of IP work product.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present complex IP concepts clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences.
  • Strong interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to work cross-functionally in a global organization.

Preferred
  • Demonstrable experience with IP in the life sciences tools, diagnostics, or biotechnology space, including technologies such as genomics, sample management/automation, cryogenics, laboratory instrumentation, LIMS/software, or related fields.
  • Experience with trademark portfolio management and brand protection strategies.
  • Experience with trade secret programs, including development and implementation of trade secret identification, protection, and audit frameworks.

Working Conditions/Schedule
  • 4+ days/week onsite in Burlington, MA; S. Plainfield, NJ; or Indianapolis
  • Travel up to 10%, domestic and international, as needed to support patent prosecution, litigation, M&A diligence, outside counsel management, and internal stakeholder engagement across Azenta's global operations.

EOE M/F/Disabled/VET
If any applicant is unable to complete an application or respond to a job opening because of a disability, please email at Recruiting@azenta.com for assistance.
Azenta is an Equal Opportunity Employer. This company considers candidates regardless of race, color, age, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status.
United States Base Compensation: $186,000.00 - $232,000.00
The posted pay range for this position is an estimate based on current market data and internal pay structure. Final compensation may vary above or below this range depending on factors such as experience, education (including licensure and certifications), qualifications, performance, and geographic location, among other relevant business or organizational needs.

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