Senior Director, Intellectual Property Senior Counsel

Dyne Therapeutics is a clinical-stage muscle disease company focused on advancing innovative life-transforming therapeutics for people living with genetically driven diseases. With its proprietary FORCE™ platform, Dyne is developing modern oligonucleotide therapeutics that are designed to overcome limitations in delivery to muscle tissue. Dyne has a broad pipeline for serious muscle diseases, including clinical programs for myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) and Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), and a preclinical program for facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD). For more information, please visit https://www.dyne-tx.com/, and follow us on X, LinkedIn and Facebook. 

Role Summary:

The Senior Director, Intellectual Property (IP) Counsel works with the Legal team to advise Dyne on a wide range of intellectual property matters, including developing IP strategies, patent prosecution, patent portfolio management, licensing, due diligence, and freedom-to-operate analyses to support Dyne Therapeutics' innovative research and development initiatives. This role requires extensive patent and prosecution experience, deep biotech/pharma industry understanding, strong analytical and communication skills, and ability to effectively work directly with key stakeholders, including R&D, technology, and business development teams on all intellectual property and related legal matters.

This is a full-time position based in Waltham, MA without the possibility of being remote.

Primary Responsibilities Include:

• Assist in the creation and execution of Dyne’s comprehensive patent and trademark strategy to protect Dyne Therapeutics' inventions, technologies, and products, including managing patent prosecution, trademark registration, and trade secret protection
• Provide legal counsel and guidance on intellectual property matters, including patentability assessments, freedom-to-operate analyses, and infringement matters
• Work closely with research, development, and technical operations teams to advise and guide intellectual property development and strategy
• Partner with Business Development on in-licensing transactions, collaborations, strategic transactions, and competitive intelligence
• Conduct or direct freedom to operate studies, analyses of third-party patent positions and competitive patent intelligence
• Manage patent and trademark prosecution docket matters, working with external counsel as needed
• Support programs and projects teams in team meetings, prosecution, and publications
• Coordinate with contracts counsel on relevant topics and workstreams, including advising on IP-related issues during contract drafting and negotiation
• Manage competitive intelligence monitoring/activity including search, analysis, Third Party administrative activity, and potential prosecution of focused patent claims
• Participate in regulatory review for all programs
• Assist with board of director meeting preparation
• Manage a portfolio of patents and trademarks, including drafting and prosecuting patent applications, conducting IP due diligence, and overseeing licensing and enforcement activities
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including R&D, business development, and legal, to identify and protect valuable intellectual property assets
• Monitor and analyze intellectual property trends, competitive landscape, and regulatory developments to assess risks and opportunities for Dyne Therapeutics
• Coordinate with external legal counsel, patent agents, and advisors to support the company's IP needs and ensure compliance with global IP laws and regulations

Education and Skills Requirements:

• J.D. from a major accredited law school and license to practice in at least one US jurisdiction
• PhD in molecular or cellular biology or similar discipline
• Registration to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office;
• 10+ years’ prior experience drafting and prosecuting patent applications and conducting freedom to operate analyses in the biotech and/or pharmaceutical areas
• Experience in a biotechnology company or pharmaceutical company preferred
• Proven track record developing and implementing patent strategies with demonstrated success securing meaningful patent protection for products and technology platforms
• Experience assessing concerns, identifying and managing risk and proactively managing outcomes with creative strategic planning
• Ability to interface with scientists and lead prosecution
• Ability to manage part of the budget
• Experience with due diligence and collaboration deals
• Experience with pre-litigation matters, licensing, litigation (both brand v. brand and brand v. generic)
• Personable, detail-oriented and strategic thinker
• Significant Pharma industry experience, including both biological and chemical experience
• Ability to “do” and to “think” and remain focused
• Strong knowledge of patent law, trademark law, and IP licensing
• Experience managing a global intellectual property portfolio, including patent prosecution and enforcement

#LI-Onsite

The statements contained herein reflect general details as necessary to describe the principles functions for this job, the level of knowledge and skill typically required, and the scope of responsibility, but should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements.  Individuals may perform other duties as assigned, including work in other functional areas to cover absences or relief, to equalize peak work periods or otherwise balance workload.

This description is not intended to be constructed as an exhaustive list of duties, responsibilities, or requirements for the position. This position may change or assume additional duties at any time.  The employee may be requested to perform different or additional duties as assigned. All Employees are expected to adhere to all company policies and act as a role model for company values.

Dyne Therapeutics is an equal opportunity employer and will not discriminate against any employee or applicant on the basis of age, color, disability, gender, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any classification protected by federal, state, or local law.