Executive Director, Intellectual Property (IP) Counsel

Neurodegenerative diseases are one of the largest medical challenges of our time. Denali Therapeutics is a biotechnology company dedicated to developing breakthrough therapies for neurodegenerative diseases through our deep commitment to degeneration biology and principles of translational medicine. Denali is founded on the collaboration of leading scientists, industry experts, and investors who share the vision that scientific discovery energetically applied to translational medicine is the key to delivering effective therapies to patients.

The Executive Director will oversee all aspects of Denali’s intellectual property, lead our IP Legal team in building and defending Denali’s IP portfolio, and help build Denali’s growing Legal team and strategy. The Executive Director will report to the General Counsel.  

We have built a global, fully integrated company with sites in South San Francisco, Salt Lake City, and Zurich. Between our Transport Vehicle (TV) platform for delivering biologic drugs to the brain and body and the global collaborations we leverage, there are many rewarding opportunities for an Executive Director to make significant impact by leading the IP Legal team, facilitating the protection of our inventions, and ultimately helping patients suffering from degenerative diseases. 

Key Accountabilities/Core Job Responsibilities:

• Lead the creation, development, and execution of strategies for Denali’s patent and trademark portfolios, copyrights, trade secrets, and other intellectual property matters, including partnering with the Discovery, Development, Manufacturing and Technical Operations, and Commercial functions to protect Denali’s inventions through patent portfolios, ensure freedom to operate, and proactively communicate strategies and progress updates to Denali’s teams and Leadership. 

• Lead and mentor a high-functioning IP Legal team, including creating team organization and function strategy, managing resource allocation and the IP Legal budget, and creating and delivering regular reports on team progress.

• Lead direct report(s) through annual goal setting, growth planning, adherence to company policies, maintain training compliance and provide ongoing feedback on growth, development and areas of improvement.

• Develop strategic guidance on IP transactional matters to facilitate and support the goals of the Business Development, Contracts, and Alliance Management teams, which may include all aspects of IP transactional work, such as reviewing, drafting, and negotiating IP-related terms in confidentiality, material transfer, collaboration, and licensing agreements, advising on terms of strategic alliances, performing diligence for in-licensing opportunities, and building diligence and facilitating out-licensing opportunities.     

• Partner with our Finance and Corporate Legal teams in the preparation, review, and filing of securities filings, including creating and developing disclosure strategies for Denali’s data, drafting and reviewing IP Legal disclosures and risk factors in securities filings, and facilitating the due diligence process related to corporate financings.

• Counsel teams and leadership at our South San Francisco, Salt Lake City, and Zurich sites, in aggressively building and defending Denali’s IP rights worldwide, including strategies for Denali’s patent portfolio and Denali’s competitiveness and freedom to operate for our platform and products, which may include oppositions, inter-parte reviews, and IP-related litigation.

• Build and manage Denali’s partnerships with law firms to foster long-term relationships and prioritize and focus work done externally, so that Denali achieves high-quality and cost-effective legal results.

• Participate in the Legal Leadership Team by facilitating cross-functional communication, helping the Legal team grow and improve, keep the team informed of legal developments, and build and maintain a broad network of industry and government relationships.

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Qualifications/Skills:

• J.D. degree and a graduate degree in a life sciences discipline

• 15+ years of experience in patent portfolio preparation, prosecution, licensing, defense, and enforcement, with substantive experience with protein and large molecule based therapeutic discovery, development, and commercialization

• Advanced knowledge of domestic and international intellectual property laws, regulations, and processes relating to patents

• Self-motivated, creative, and solution-oriented work ethic, while maintaining good attention to detail

• Able to create and prepare presentations, communicate clearly to teams and Leadership, and lead a team’s execution of intellectual property strategies

• Able to foster good risk taking, and enjoys working in an international, fast-paced environment

• Willingness to work collaboratively by incorporating diverse perspectives and appropriately managing relationships with internal partners and teams, and build relationships with external collaborators, industry leaders, and government officials

• Experience building and mentoring experienced IP legal professionals

• Active registration in good standing to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office

• Active member in good standing of at least one state bar

• Significant experience in both a law-firm and in-house setting is preferred.

Salary Range: $312,304.00 to $359,467.00 .  Compensation for the role will depend on a number of factors, including a candidate’s qualifications, skills, competencies, and experience. Denali offers a competitive total rewards package, which includes a 401k, healthcare coverage, ESPP and a broad range of other benefits. Learn more at https://www.denalitherapeutics.com/careers

This compensation and benefits information is based on Denali’s good faith estimate as of the date of publication and may be modified in the future.This compensation and benefits information is based on Denali’s good faith estimate as of the date of publication and may be modified in the future.
 

Denali is committed to its core company value of unity by creating a diverse and inclusive environment. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, status as a veteran, basis of disability, or any other federal, state, or local protected class.