Associate Director to Director, Patents

About Us:

Structure Therapeutics develops life‐changing medicines for patients using advanced structure‐based and computational drug discovery technology. The company’s platform combines the latest advancements in visualization of molecular interactions, computational chemistry, and data integration to design orally available, superior small molecule medicines that overcome current limitations of biologic and peptide drugs. We are advancing a clinical‐stage pipeline of differentiated treatments focused on chronic diseases with high unmet need, including cardiovascular, metabolic, and pulmonary conditions.

Structure Therapeutics is led by an experienced group of international drug innovators and financed by top-tier global life sciences investors. The company completed an initial public offering (IPO) in February 2023. With offices in California and Shanghai, Structure Therapeutics has the benefit of being at the center of life science innovation in both the US and China and capitalizing on the strengths of each geographic location.

Position Summary:

Structure Therapeutics is seeking a seasoned and detail-oriented Senior Patent Agent (USPTO registered highly preferred) to join our Legal team. The ideal candidate will help lead and drive our growing intellectual property portfolio. Reporting to Sr. IP Counsel, Executive Director, the Senior Patent Agent will be a creative thinker who will work closely with our drug discovery and development teams to identify new small molecule inventions, draft new applications, and support the prosecution of our existing portfolio. In addition, the person will partner with our outside counsel to help align R&D and IP strategy and patent procurement. This broad role will involve all aspects of IP strategy and execution across our early- and late-stage development portfolio.

The ideal candidate should have demonstrated skills in evaluating and identifying new discoveries and leading the effort from initial filings to worldwide patent issuance. In addition, the successful candidate should have a strong understanding of U.S., China and other patent systems, including patent filing and prosecution processes, freedom-to-operate analyses, patent searching, and landscape assessments.

This position is based in the company’s research center in Shanghai, China.

Job Responsibilities:

• Work closely with our research and development teams to identify new inventions, draft new applications
• Review and analyze office action, the rejections and propose response strategies and/or claim amendments
• Provide clear guidance to researchers regarding legal requirements for a patentable invention and lead patent drafting and filing processes
• Work closely with outside counsel to lead worldwide prosecution of our existing patent portfolio; develop and maintain an internal file management system
• Communicate patentability and FTO analyses to research colleagues and senior leaders
• Create and implement IP strategies for our worldwide patent portfolio, with an understanding of budgets and R&D timelines
• Contribute to IP due diligence for potential in-licensing opportunities
• Conduct landscape and third-party portfolio assessments
• Assist Sr. IP Counsel, Executive Director and Senior Vice President, Legal with annual budget forecast and support the finance team with monthly/quarterly accrual process
• Review proposed publications and presentations for IP impact
• Advise on agreements with IP implications
• Participate in program team meetings and provide advice on patent opportunities arising from development work

Qualifications:

• B.S. degree in Chemistry degree required, advance degree in Organic Chemistry preferred
• A minimum of 10 years of combined law-firm and in-house IP experience in biotech/pharma industry and small molecule drug inventions
• Drafted at least 10 small molecule patent applications in English
• Registered to practice before the United States Patent and Trademark Office highly preferred
• Familiarity with worldwide patent prosecution rules and regulations
• Demonstrated ability to lead patent filing and prosecution processes and to communicate IP strategy to outside counsel effectively
• Ability to collaborate, work independently, and balance competing priorities while meeting deadlines with a high level of professionalism and with the ability to reprioritize quickly and handle multiple projects simultaneously
• Ability to effectively communicate IP strategies and analyses to senior leaders
• Excellent writing and analytical skills; ability to provide IP advice in a clear, concise manner, both verbally and in writing 
• Possesses effective communication; builds trust among team members, and promotes collaboration
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to multitask and prioritize
• Ability to identify problems and implement a solution, escalating when needed
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in both Chinese and English, with the ability to translate complex legal concepts into clear, business-friendly guidance
• Proactive attitude and the drive to take initiative
• Ability to work independently while supporting each employee
• Willingness to work odd hours when needed (for example, meetings and calls with colleagues located in global offices)