Patent Counsel, Barcelona

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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 stand proudly at the centre of modern healthcare, as a maker of essential and life-saving medicines.

With our commitment to Quality, Reliability and Sustainability at the heart of everything we do, our over 2200 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 ‘Nederlandsche Gist- en Spiritusfabriek’, our company was known as Gist Brocades. Headquartered in Rotterdam (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 Corporate Legal department has a vacancy in its team for the following position:

Patent Counsel

The Patent 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 Patent Counsel shall partner, challenge and provide sound, clear and informed counsel to the Innovation & Technology Development (I&TD) team and other relevant technical and business colleagues on opportunities to protect their technology; he/she shall also address competitive patent scenarios, threats and opportunities.

The Patent Counsel shall conduct due diligence assessments and provide clear opinions on freedom to operate, patentability and patent infringement requests. This position reports directly to the Commercial & Licensing Counsel (Head of IP).

The main activities and responsibilities

• Supports the Head of IP and advises on patent related matters, also advises, guides and liaises with the I&TD 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).
• Assists 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 I&TD and other relevant colleagues.
• Assists in building and managing the global patent portfolio, including liaising and instructing outside patent counsels as needed.
• Assists the Head of IP to execute Centrient’s IP Policy in connection with patents.
• Supports the Head of IP 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.
• Keep abreast of changing technology and relevant patent regulations, trends and case law developments to devise patent strategies.

Requirements

The Ideal Candidate

• Scientific degree, preferably in chemistry, biomedical sciences or pharmacology. Experience with enzymatic, fermentation processes highly valuable.
• Qualification as Patent Agent (EPO admission to practice highly preferred).
• At least 8 years of working experience.
• Proficiency level of English (written and spoken).
• 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 matters to sound and clear advice, including to colleagues with no technical (chemistry) background.
• Strong, highly collaborative and flexible team player with a keen business acumen and good communication skills.
• Self-starting, hands-on and pragmatic and able to cope with deadlines and set priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Service-minded, responsive and precise working style.

Terms and reward

We offer a local contract in a challenging, comprehensive, operational environment, with many opportunities for personal input and growth and plenty of discussions with other professionals. The organization is very flat. You have a lot of freedom and responsibility in an open, direct, and informal atmosphere.

The Procedure

Please submit your application via the 'apply' button and upload your CV & cover letter in English. We also ask you to include information on your current remuneration. Only applications with CV and Cover Letter will be considered.

For more detailed information about the role and about the Recruitment & Selection process you can contact us via email. We invite you to visit our website for information about our company.

Reference check procedures are part of the Centrient Recruitment & Selection Process. You will be contacted when a reference check is required.