Patent Agent/Counsel
Centrient Pharmaceuticals Netherlands, Netherlands
Job Description
Centrient Pharmaceuticals is the leading manufacturer of beta-lactam antibiotics, and a provider of next generation statins and anti-fungals. We produce and sell intermediates, active pharmaceutical ingredients and finished dosage forms.
We are a pharmaceutical company with a clear Purpose: to improve lives throughinnovative and sustainable manufacturing of medicines.
With our commitment to Quality, Reliability and Sustainability at the heart of everything we do, our over 2000 employees work continuously to meet our customers’ needs. We work towards a sustainable future by actively participating in the fight against antimicrobial resistance.
Founded 150 years ago as the ‘Nederlandse Gist- en Spiritusfabriek’, our company was known as Gist Brocades. Headquartered in Rijswijk (Netherlands), we have production facilities and sales offices in China, India, the Netherlands, Spain, the United States and Mexico. Centrient Pharmaceuticals is wholly owned by Bain Capital Private Equity, a leading global private investment firm.
The Legal department has a vacancy for 2.5 days a week in its Rijswijk offices, for the following position:
Patent Agent/Counsel
The Position
The Patent Agent/Counsel will be responsible for providing worldwide technical support and guidance on patent-related matters which are tactically critical to Centrient, including the strategic development and administration of the worldwide patent portfolio (patent prosecution, office actions, oppositions and renewals).
The main activities and responsibilities
- Supports the Head of IP and advises on patent related matters, also advises, guides and liaises with the Ramp;D team and other relevant technical and business partners.
- Manages FTO requests and drafts the corresponding opinions.
- Drafts patentability opinions regarding internal inventions.
- Drafts opinions on validity of third-party patent rights.
- Drafts, files and prosecutes patent applications (potential).
- Assist the Head of IP to elaborate and execute patent strategies for the business, risk evaluations and mitigation strategies.
- Manages Invention Disclosure Requests and evaluates invention disclosures cooperatively with Ramp;D and other relevant colleagues.
- Assists in building and managing the global patent portfolio, including liaising and instructing outside patent counsels as needed.
- Assists the Commercial amp; Licensing Counsel to execute Centrient’s IP Policy in connection with patents.
- Supports the Commercial amp; Licensing Counsel in conducting internal patent trainings as needed.
- Provides support, guidance, education and influences business colleagues in establishing best practices to protect inventions, patents and trade secrets.
- Execute Centrient patent priorities and strategy together with the Head of IP and the Chief Scientific Officer.
- Act as key enabler for Centrient’s Innovation Strategy by designing and integrating an IP strategy into the Innovation Programs.
- Identify potential competitors or partners based on IP landscaping, as well as keep track of IP landscaping of existing Centrient’s programs.
- Support Commercial teams by assisting customer’s IP queries and attending required calls to engage business alongside.
- Create value, find opportunities to strengthen Centrient’s IP portfolio and provide sound advice on patent matters as member of the IP team, including advising, educating and guiding the Innovation team, lab colleagues and key stakeholders.
- Support governance compliance in connection with patent-related matters.
- Co-operate with fellow Centrient Legal and Ramp;D colleagues as needed in connection with patents and inventions, to identifying opportunities to enhance effectiveness of IP department practice and operations.
- Keep abreast of changing technology and relevant patent regulations, trends and case law developments to devise patent strategies.
The Ideal Candidate
- At least 5-8 years working experience in an (international) in-house environment and/or preferably combined with experience advising international clients in private practice.
- Available for 2.5 days per week.
- Experience in the pharmaceutical industry or other regulated environment.
- Lab experience would be a plus.
- Scientific degree, preferably in chemistry, biomedical sciences or pharmacology.
- Qualification as Patent Agent (EPO admission to practice highly preferred).
- Technically strong and having broad experience in prosecuting patents and reviewing and drafting patent-related opinions.
- Working knowledge of EP, PCT and US patent systems and prosecution practices.
- Strong Analytical skills.
- Ability to translate (complex) technical needs and m