Senior Counsel – Patent Medicinal/Pharmaceutical Chemistry

Amgen

Senior Counsel developing and executing strategies for Amgen's therapeutic products. Focused on patent law to support innovative medicines and patient outcomes.

Posted 5/27/2026full-timeRemote • California, Massachusetts • 🇺🇸 United StatesSenior💰 $250,322 - $338,670 per yearWebsite

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Develop, implement, and execute global intellectual property strategies for Amgen’s therapeutic products and product candidates (e.g., small molecules and peptides), related to, for example, compositions, polymorphs, formulations, processes, and methods of manufacturing.
Working with Amgen scientists to identify patentable subject matter
Drafting, filing, and prosecuting patent applications worldwide
Conducting prior art searches
Analyzing patents and preparing freedom-to-operate opinions
Conducting due diligence in support of licensing activities
Negotiating and drafting research agreements
Providing legal advice and counsel to R&D and business partners on a variety of IP related matters
Assisting with litigation-related matters and challenging/defending patents in PTAB, opposition, and other forums.

Requirements

What you’ll need

J.D. degree or LL.M. degree from an accredited law school, admission to practice law in a U.S. jurisdiction;
Four plus (4+) years of experience practicing intellectual property law;
Registered to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
Ten (10) or more years of experience practicing patent or intellectual property law (preferred)
Experience in all aspects of U.S. and foreign intellectual property law relating to biotechnology at a law firm or biotechnology/pharmaceutical corporation (preferred)
An advanced degree such as a master’s degree or Ph.D. in organic or medicinal chemistry (preferred)
Excellent analytic, legal drafting and oral and written communication skills (preferred)
Strong management and leadership skills as well as a strong client service focus and the ability to work independently and in teams (preferred)
Ability to work efficiently, to prioritize workflow, to meet demanding deadlines, and to manage multi-dimensional projects in a fast-paced environment (preferred)
Experience in U.S. and/or foreign adversarial proceedings (such as patent litigation, Inter Partes Reviews, Post Grant Reviews, and oppositions) (preferred).

Benefits

Comp & perks

A comprehensive employee benefits package, including a Retirement and Savings Plan with generous company contributions
group medical, dental and vision coverage
life and disability insurance
flexible spending accounts
A discretionary annual bonus program, or for field sales representatives, a sales-based incentive plan
Stock-based long-term incentives
Award-winning time-off plans
Flexible work models where possible.

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills & Tools

intellectual property lawpatent lawpatent application draftingprior art searchesfreedom-to-operate analysisdue diligencenegotiating research agreementslitigation supportU.S. Patent and Trademark Office registrationbiotechnology intellectual property

Soft Skills

analytical skillslegal draftingoral communicationwritten communicationmanagement skillsleadership skillsclient service focusindependent workteam collaborationproject management

Certifications

J.D. degreeLL.M. degreeadmission to practice law in a U.S. jurisdiction