Associate Director, Intellectual Property

About Moonlight Bio:

Moonlight Bio is a Seattle-based, clinical-stage biotech company pioneering the development of cutting-edge cell therapies for the treatment of cancer. Our team is comprised of highly collaborative individuals who are passionate about designing innovative technologies and candidates with the potential to transform the lives of cancer patients.

About the Role:

Moonlight Bio is seeking an Associate Director, Intellectual Property reporting to the company’s Vice President, Legal. The Associate Director, Intellectual Property, will help maximize the value of Moonlight’s innovation by developing and executing Moonlight’s world-wide intellectual property strategy for the company’s discovery research, preclinical and clinical programs, and platform technologies. In addition, the Associate Director, Intellectual Property, will be responsible for developing and executing a robust intellectual property due diligence program and monitoring system in support of Moonlight’s strategic business opportunities.

This individual will serve as a trusted advisor to the research and development team and will provide clear and actionable IP strategy and analyses in support of Moonlight’s platform/product development goals.

This role is ideal for a collaborative legal leader with direct cell and gene therapy experience who thrives in fast-moving environments and is energized by the prospect of developing a robust IP portfolio in support of transformative oncology medicines.

Roles & Responsibilities:

· Global IP portfolio management, including preparing and prosecuting patent applications focused on all aspects of cell therapy, and developing IP strategy.

· Partner with research and development teams to gain a deep understanding of Moonlight technology, identify patentable inventions, and implement protection strategies.

· Identify and evaluate IP related risks (e.g., patentability, infringement, validity) and develop focused strategies for risk mitigation.

· Conduct freedom-to-operate reviews and IP due diligence, analyze third-party patent positions, guide overall IP strategy, and provide support for business development opportunities.

· Manage external patent counsel.

· Assist in build-out of internal IP systems and infrastructure.

· Provide internal IP training.

Qualifications:

· PhD in a relevant life sciences discipline (e.g., Molecular Biology, Immunology, Cellular Biology, or related field).

· JD from an ABA accredited law school and a member in good standing of the Washington Bar, or the ability to qualify as Washington Registered In-House Counsel.

· Registered before the United States Patent and Trademark Office.

· 5-7 years of experience providing IP counsel and support in CAR T or adoptive cell therapy (patent preparation and prosecution, life cycle management, and IP strategy), including a mix of both law firm and in-house experience.

· Proven track record developing and implementing patent strategies with demonstrated success securing meaningful patent protection for products and related technology.

· Demonstrated ability to work independently and cooperatively in a fast-paced start up environment with internal teams and to respond in a timely and effective manner.

· Must have strong analytical skills and the ability to interpret complex scientific and legal information.

· Must have exceptional written and verbal communication skills and attention to detail.

What You Should Know:

· The base pay range for this position at commencement of employment is expected to be between $160,000-220,000 per year.

· The base pay offered may vary depending on a variety of individualized factors, including the relevance and years of the applicant’s experience, job-related knowledge, skill set, certifications, qualifications, and/or professional licenses held, and market location.

· Full time employees (and their eligible dependents) will be eligible for employee benefits including PTO, medical, dental, and vision plans from the first day of employment. Further, Moonlight supports its team members in pursuing certifications and training relevant to their roles.

At Moonlight Bio, we are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to characteristics and statuses protected under applicable federal, state, and local laws. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States. Moonlight Bio will not sponsor applicants for work visas.

Join us at Moonlight Bio and contribute to groundbreaking research that has the potential to create innovative and powerful new cancer therapies! With our collaborative, team-centric R&D approach and our dedication to professional development, you'll have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on patients' lives while advancing your career in the dynamic field of cell therapy.