Overview
Director of Intellectual Property Jobs in Rochester, MN at Vyriad, Inc.
Company Overview
Vyriad is an early stage biotechnology company focused on curing cancer using potent, safe and cost-effective cancer therapies utilizing engineered replication competent viruses designed to selectively and rapidly destroy cancer. Revolutionizing cancer treatment is our long-term goal, requiring curiosity, perseverance, an openness to challenging convention and a commitment to excellence. The challenges are complex, the work pace is fast, and progress is seldom a straight line. All of this makes for an exhilarating environment of collaboration, discovery and fun.
General job description
· Vyriad is seeking an experienced attorney to lead the Company’s intellectual property strategy, portfolio governance, and related legal-operational activities. The role leads the Intellectual Property Group and works closely with scientific leadership, executive management, business development, finance, and outside counsel to support the Company’s research, development, licensing, and collaboration activities.
· The position is responsible for strategic stewardship of Vyriad’s intellectual property assets, including patents, trade secrets, trademarks, confidential know-how, and licensed technologies. Responsibilities include invention evaluation, patent portfolio management, freedom-to-operate analysis, trade secret governance, licensing support, intellectual property obligations associated with collaborations and in-licensed technologies, and management of routine research and business agreements.
· Outside patent counsel serves as the Company’s primary agent for patent drafting, filing, prosecution, and maintenance activities, while the internal Intellectual Property Group provides strategic direction, scientific analysis, invention support, portfolio oversight, and coordination.
· As the Company’s legal and operational infrastructure evolves, responsibilities may expand or shift among intellectual property, contracting, legal operations, and related governance functions.
Supervisory Responsibilities
· Lead, manage and develop Vyriad’s Intellectual Property Group – currently comprised of two Intellectual Property Specialists (PhDs with postdoctoral and/or corporate science backgrounds).
Duties and Responsibilities
· Lead the Company’s intellectual property strategy and portfolio management activities.
· Coordinate patent strategy, filing, prosecution, maintenance, and lifecycle decisions with outside patent counsel.
· Partner with scientific teams to identify inventions, evaluate patentability, and support intellectual property strategy.
· Conduct and oversee patent landscape reviews and freedom-to-operate assessments.
· Develop and implement trade secret and confidential information governance practices.
· Draft, review, negotiate, and manage confidentiality agreements, material transfer agreements, and other routine commercial, research, and operational agreements.
· Support negotiation and operational management of licenses, collaborations, sponsored research agreements, and other complex transactions in coordination with outside counsel and internal stakeholders.
· Serve as a centralized coordination point for intellectual property and related legal-operational matters, including agreement review processes, outside counsel engagement, escalation pathways, and risk management practices.
· Oversee intellectual property obligations associated with external collaborations and in-licensed technologies from universities, research institutions, and commercial partners.
· Coordinate intellectual property strategy across pharmaceutical collaborators, licensors, CROs, CDMOs, and research organizations.
· Oversee intellectual property portfolio operations, including docket management, budgeting, outside counsel coordination, reporting, and interaction with finance.
Required skills and/or qualifications
· Excellent writing and verbal communication skills
· Significant experience supporting intellectual property strategy, patent portfolio management, invention evaluation, freedom-to-operate analysis, licensing, and/or research collaborations within the biotechnology or pharmaceutical industry.
· Experience reviewing, drafting, and negotiating confidentiality agreements, material transfer agreements, and other routine commercial, research, or operational agreements.
· Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with scientists, executive leadership, business stakeholders, outside counsel, and external collaborators.
· Strong organizational judgment, strategic thinking, and ability to manage complex cross-functional activities in a rapidly evolving environment.
PREFERRED SKILLS AND/OR QUALIFICATIONS
· Scientific background in biotechnology, life sciences, molecular biology, immunology, virology, genetics, cell biology, biomedical engineering, or a related discipline.
· Advanced scientific degree, such as an M.S. or Ph.D.
· Registered U.S. Patent Attorney.
· Experience managing intellectual property issues associated with university-licensed technologies, sponsored research, collaborative research, and external partnerships.
· Experience coordinating outside counsel and interdisciplinary scientific interactions.
Physical Requirements
· Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
· Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times.
Join us at Vyriad to lead the charge in protecting transformative cancer therapies through innovative legal strategies. Your expertise will play a critical role in shaping the future of oncology treatments while fostering a collaborative environment committed to scientific excellence.
Pay: $105,000.00 – $140,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Parental leave
- Relocation assistance
- Retirement plan
- Vision insurance
Ability to Relocate:
- Rochester, MN 55901: Relocate before starting work (Required)
Work Location: In person
Title: Director of Intellectual Property
Company: Vyriad, Inc.
Location: Rochester, MN
Category:
