Intellectual Property Lead, Cell, Gene and mRNA (Hybrid)

The Role:

The Research IP Lead has significant responsibility and impact in delivering an IP strategy supporting CSL Group's global activities and objectives. You will lead and oversee global management of intellectual property matters and provide strategic guidance to CSL Research including key support for platform development, including recombinant protein and/or mRNA and Cell & Gene Therapies.

This role is integral to developing, defending, deal making and enforcing the organization's global patent portfolio, global Trade Secrets portfolio and other types of exclusivity rights, as well as ensuring compliance with intellectual property laws, thereby supporting the company's broader business objectives. Reporting to the Global Head of IP, you will manage a small team of attorneys, senior attorneys or scientists

The Opportunity:

• Strategic advisor to the IP function, CSL's Research organization and Leadership Team, and key stakeholders within the enterprise, in particular CSL Research.


• Responsible for developing, managing and delivering global patent and related enterprise-wide IP objectives aligned with CSL Platforms in Research (i.e. mRNA, gene and cell therapies, gene technologies and/or ii. protein and recombinant technologies including monoclonal antibodies).


• Key business partner for CSL senior leadership and R&D divisions in assessing and strategically managing potential IP challenges relating to Research activities and core-platform IP as well as strategic support, management and/or oversight for such IP challenges, including patent office challenges and litigation matters, relating to Research-aligned platforms (C>/mRNA or recombinant); advising IP function and CSL Legal Leadership team; and instructing external counsel on such matters.


• Advises and represents the organization on legal issues concerning patent and related IP.

Accountabilities related to Research activities, including Cell & Gene Therapies, mRNA and/or Protein / Recombinant platforms:

• Managing a specialized team of Research-platform aligned senior patent attorneys and patent attorneys, as well as working with outside attorneys to deliver an enterprise-wide IP strategy that supports and safeguards CSL's Global R&D activities.


• Within a matrix work model, leading and managing cross-functional team of attorneys and IP experts to deliver IP strategy and advice (as required) to management and other stakeholders.


• Overseeing identification and harvesting of inventions relating to CSL Research activities and projects as well as core platform technologies within Research (SG0 to SG1.1), including capturing and building robust IP positions for CSL's lead drug product candidates.


• Overseeing and supporting the prosecution, defense and enforcement of CSL intellectual property, including building and safeguarding of a patent portfolio tailored to CSL's Research activities with respect to pending applications and granted patents taking into account national and international laws and guidelines.


• Overseeing freedom to operate (FTO) analysis for Research activities, projects and core platform technologies within Research, developing risk mitigation options and solutions, communicating strategic guidance to management and other stakeholders, incorporating options and solutions into broader business strategy.


• Overseeing the identification and preservation of Trade Secrets and collaborating with other functions within CSL to make sure these are well protected fit in the global IP strategy alongside patents and other IP rights.


• Strategic support, input and/or oversight for IP challenges, including patent office challenges and litigation matters, relating to platform technologies in Research; advising IP function, CSL Legal Leadership team and senior stakeholders as well as instructing external counsel on such matters.


• Other complex tasks within the Intellectual Property function as assigned, including budget management.

Your Skills and Experience:

• Master's degree in life sciences discipline (chemistry, biochemistry, biotechnology) or a related field, preferably a PhD, or equivalent experience in scientific research.


• Qualified Patent Attorney or IP lawyer admitted to practice in at least one jurisdiction (AU, EP, DE, UK, or US preferred), or equivalent legal qualifications and experience in Intellectual Property.


• Certified patent attorney or IP lawyer with at least 15 years of experience.


• At least 12 years post-qualification experience in Intellectual Property


• At least 5 years of experience with life science technologies and operations of in-house IP teams with a comprehensive background in at least one technical field relevant to CSL Behring business, including plasma proteins, recombinant proteins, immunology, vaccines, and/or gene technologies


• Proven experience in managing an IP team within a complex organizational structure


• Experience in due diligence, life cycle management, IP challenges and/or negotiations highly regarded


• This role may require travel, especially to CSL sites in Europe, US and Australia

CSL Seqirus employees that work at least 30 hours per week are eligible for benefits effective day 1. We are committed to the wellbeing of our employees and their loved ones. CSL Seqirus offers resources and benefits, from health care to financial protection, so you can focus on doing work that matters. Our benefits are designed to support the needs of our employees at every stage of their life. Whether you are considering starting a family, need help paying for emergency back up care or summer camp, looking for mental health resources, planning for your financial future, or supporting your favorite charity with a matching contribution, CSL Seqirus has many benefits to help achieve your goals.

Please take the time to review our benefits site to see what's available to you as a CSL Seqirus employee.

As a global organization with employees in 35+ countries, CSL embraces diversity and inclusion. Learn more about Diversity & Inclusion at CSL Seqirus.

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