Intellectual Property Lead Biology

Make your mark for patients

We are looking for a strategic, collaborative, and proactive Patent Counsel, Biology to join our Intellectual Property team, based in our Cambridge, MA office.

About the role

The Patent Counsel Biology provides global intellectual property support for biology research, platform technologies, and early development programs. You will partner closely with scientific teams to develop and execute intellectual property strategies, manage global patent portfolios, and provide practical advice on innovation protection, freedom-to-operate, risk management, and competitive patent landscapes. This is a highly collaborative role supporting research teams mainly across the United States while partnering with colleagues in Europe and globally.

Who you'll work with

You will work alongside a global network of intellectual property professionals, scientists, legal colleagues, and business partners supporting innovative research and development programs. The team collaborates across Intellectual Property, Ethics & Legal Affairs, Contracts & Partnering, and Research functions to deliver strategic, risk-based intellectual property support that advances scientific innovation and patient impact.

What you'll do

• Develop intellectual property strategies for research and development programs.
• Manage global patent portfolios and prosecution activities.
• Conduct freedom-to-operate and competitive landscape assessments.
• Harvest inventions and identify emerging intellectual property opportunities.
• Deliver intellectual property training and awareness initiatives.
• Partner with legal, contracting, and research stakeholders globally.

Interested? For this role we're looking for the following

Minimum requirements

• Advanced scientific degree (at least Master degree).
• Registered United States Patent Attorney, or alternatively European Patent Attorney with US patent agent qualification.
• 3+ years patent attorney experience in-house or private practice.
• Technical expertise in cell therapy or stem cell technologies.
• Strong knowledge of United States and European patent law.
• Proven patent drafting and prosecution expertise.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.

Preferred requirements

• Experience supporting molecular biology or gene therapy programs.
• Experience handling patent validity and infringement matters.
• Knowledge of intellectual property agreements and partnering transactions.
• Demonstrated ability to influence cross-functional global stakeholders.
• Experience working within a multinational life sciences environment.

Internal applicants should be in their current job for at least 12 months, must meet performance standards and are not on formal corrective/disciplinary process (PIP), warning, final warning, or compliance warning letters within the last 12 months. Please inform your Manager or your Talent Partner before applying to any internal job opportunities.

Unless explicitly stated in the description, this role is hybrid with 40% of your time spent in the office, regardless of your current contractual agreement. If your current working arrangements differ, please contact your Talent Partner to discuss before submitting your application.

UCB is an equal opportunity employer. All employment decisions will be made without regard to any characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. UCB invites you to voluntarily self-identify during the application process. Provision of self-identification information is entirely voluntary and a decision to provide or not provide such information will not have any effect on your application for employment, your employment with UCB, or otherwise subject you to any adverse treatment. Any information you provide will be considered confidential and will be kept separate from your application and/or personnel file and will only be used in accordance with applicable laws, orders, and regulations.

Should you require any adjustments to our process to assist you in demonstrating your strengths and capabilities contact us on US-Reasonable_Accommodation@ucb.com for application to US based roles. Please note should your enquiry not relate to adjustments; we will not be able to support you through this channel.

Requisition ID: 94009

Recruiter: Lori Hanchett

Hiring Manager: Claire Lemonnier

Talent Partner: Bénédicte Demoulin

Job Level: MM I

Please consult HRAnswers for more information on job levels.