Associate Director, Intellectual Property

nChroma Bio is a pioneering biotechnology company redefining the future of in vivo targeted genetic medicine to treat a wide array of diseases and bring cures to patients. The company’s integrated product engine tackles significant limitations of existing genetic medicine approaches by enabling safe, precise and specific in vivo delivery. nChroma’s near clinical-stage development candidate, CRMA-1001, is a liver-targeted therapy in development as a potential functional cure for chronic hepatitis B and hepatitis D that leverages the power of epigenetics, nature's innate mechanism for gene regulation. Guided by a world-class team at the forefront of genetic medicine, founded by renowned pioneers in the field, and supported by top-tier investors, the company is uniquely positioned to deliver groundbreaking therapies with programmable tissue specificity, unlocking highly potent, durable and targeted gene regulation for the liver and beyond.

We’re building a culture and organization to support this important mission, bringing together individuals that thrive in a supportive environment where diverse perspectives and a passion for discovery drive cutting-edge science and breakthrough medicines.

ABOUT THE ROLE

We are looking for an entrepreneurial, driven, and energetic Intellectual Property Counsel to support our epigenetic editing platform and pipeline.  The role includes building and managing our fast-growing patent portfolio to translate our discovery, development, and clinical efforts into IP assets; working on a broad range of domestic and international patent preparation and prosecution matters, patent landscape, due diligence, and freedom-to-operate analyses, as well as on IP challenges; and providing IP advice to other functions within the organization. This role provides the opportunity to expand beyond IP work, based on department needs and the candidate’s interest and experience, for example into the negotiation, drafting, and management of agreements and transactions.

This role, based in Boston, Massachusetts, works closely and collaboratively on a cross-functional basis with Research & Development, Business Development, Manufacturing, Finance, and other teams, as well as within the broader Legal department.

This position requires the ability to directly and independently interact with our scientists to identify protectable inventions; draft and prosecute patent applications covering our technologies; conduct due diligence, freedom-to-operate, infringement and validity analyses; direct our outside IP counsel teams; and operate efficiently and in a constructive, collegial, and collaborative manner in a fast-paced and dynamic environment. The candidate must have a deep technical understanding of molecular biology and, ideally, some experience in gene editing technologies or the patenting of such technologies. The IP counsel must also have excellent communication skills and exceptional organizational abilities to prioritize, manage, and execute on a variety of tasks and deadlines.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Identify patentable inventions through frequent interactions with R&D teams.
• Evaluate inventions, conduct prior art searches, design and execute on patent protection strategies.
• Manage nChroma’s IP portfolio, prosecute nChroma’s owned and in-licensed domestic and foreign patent applications, in alignment with internal and external stakeholders, e.g., lead scientists, business partners, and licensors. 
• Collaborate with outside IP counsel as appropriate.
• Carry out the above preparation and prosecution activities in conjunction with external business partners and their legal teams.
• Review proposed publications and presentations for potential impact on our IP strategy.
• Provide IP landscape, patentability, FTO, and due diligence assessments to inform strategic decisions, e.g., for R&D pipeline programs and business development opportunities.
• Collaborate with corporate attorneys to provide intellectual property support for operational agreements (including confidentiality agreements, service agreements, research collaborations, and licensing agreements).
• Assist in IP challenges in US and foreign patent offices and courts as needed.
• Educate and advise colleagues and leadership on IP issues and good practices.
• Manage nChroma’s trademark portfolio.
• Responsible for building IP support systems and develop IP policies as needed.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• J.D. from an ABA-accredited law school and admission to at least one state bar in the United States; registration to practice before the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office.
• 2-5 years of meaningful experience prosecuting and preparing biotech patent applications at a law firm and/or corporate legal department.
• Technical expertise in molecular biology, cellular biology, biochemistry, or related field is required; Ph.D. is strongly preferred.
• Experience with patentability/clearance searches and third-party IP challenges (e.g., IPRs, oppositions).
• Strong oral and written communication skills, ability to communicate complicated IP issues to scientists, and non-scientist stakeholders within the company.
• Strong analytical thinking and attention to detail, with ability recognize, assess, and respond to urgent matters with timely, practical, and clear solutions.
• Must be a collaborative team player.
• Experience working in an early stage biotech company is preferred, but not required.

nChroma Bio is an equal opportunity employer, providing equal opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex or gender identity, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, nChroma Bio complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment.