Senior Director, Intellectual Property at Acadia Pharmaceuticals

Foster City, California, United States

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Not SpecifiedCompensation

Expert & Leadership (9+ years)Experience Level

Full TimeJob Type

UnknownVisa

BiopharmaceuticalIndustries

Requirements

J.D. and licensed to practice law in at least one U.S. jurisdiction (active and in good standing)
USPTO registration and eligibility to practice patent law
12+ years of intellectual property law experience, with significant in-house and/or law firm experience in the biopharmaceutical sector
Advanced scientific degree (M.S. or Ph.D.) in chemistry, biochemistry or related discipline
Strong global perspective, with experience managing patent portfolios across the U.S., EU, UK and Japan
Proven track record advising executives and program teams, balancing legal risk with business goals
Excellent written and oral communication skills — able to translate complex IP concepts for diverse stakeholders
Preferred
Experience with rare disease regulatory frameworks, including orphan drug exclusivity in the U.S. and EU
Demonstrated success in managing patent litigation, disputes, oppositions, or post-grant proceedings

Responsibilities

In partnership with the Chief Legal Officer and outside intellectual property counsel, develop and oversee a global IP strategy for the company’s patents, trademarks and trade secrets
Lead and oversee the drafting, filing, prosecution, and maintenance of a worldwide patent portfolio
Provide guidance on patent term extensions and regulatory exclusivities
Deliver freedom-to-operate (FTO), patent validity, and infringement analyses to inform decision-making across development and commercial programs
Manage the company’s global trademark portfolio
Provide IP guidance in business development, licensing, collaboration, and M&A transactions; lead or support IP due diligence efforts
In collaboration with other Legal team members, draft and negotiate IP provisions in material agreements (e.g., research collaboration, license, clinical, supply, manufacturing and distribution agreements)
With the Chief Legal Officer and outside counsel, manage potential Hatch-Waxman patent litigation
Direct and manage patent dispute processes such as U.S. inter partes review (IPR), post-grant proceedings, European oppositions, and other adversarial actions in key jurisdictions
Support pre-litigation risk assessments
Partner with program teams and internal functions to identify and capture inventions at an early stage
Evaluate inventions and determine whether patent or trade secret protection would be appropriate
Support product launches with lifecycle management strategies
With the Chief Legal Officer, manage outside counsel relationships with a focus on cost-effectiveness and quality
Deliver timely, practical, and business-focused legal advice across jurisdictions

Skills

IP Strategy

Patent Prosecution

Patent Portfolio Management

Trademarks

Trade Secrets

Freedom to Operate

FTO Analysis

Patent Validity

Infringement Analysis

Patent Term Extensions

Regulatory Exclusivities

IP Due Diligence

Licensing

M&A

Acadia Pharmaceuticals

Develops therapies for neurological disorders

About Acadia Pharmaceuticals

Acadia Pharmaceuticals develops therapies for neurological disorders, focusing on conditions like Parkinson's disease, schizophrenia, and Rett syndrome. The company conducts extensive research and clinical trials to create drugs that are safe and effective, seeking approval from regulatory bodies like the FDA before bringing them to market. Acadia differentiates itself by targeting areas with significant unmet medical needs, ensuring that their products address critical health challenges. Their goal is to improve the quality of life for patients suffering from these disorders while also promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion within their operations.

Dallas, TexasHeadquarters

1993Year Founded

$813.4MTotal Funding

ACQUISITIONCompany Stage

Biotechnology, HealthcareIndustries

501-1,000Employees

Benefits

Health Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

401(k) Retirement Plan

401(k) Company Match

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Paid Vacation

Paid Holidays

Paid Sick Leave

Paid Parental Leave

Tuition Reimbursement

Risks

Increased competition in CNS drug market may impact Acadia's market share.

Potential clinical trial delays could affect drug approval timelines.

Dependence on partnerships poses risks if collaborations face challenges or dissolve.

Differentiation

Acadia focuses on CNS disorders with unmet medical needs, like Parkinson's and Rett syndrome.

The company has a strong R&D foundation, developing innovative small molecule drugs.

Acadia's strategic partnerships enhance its research capabilities and market reach.

Upsides

Acadia's collaboration with Saniona expands its portfolio with SAN711 for neurological disorders.

Health Canada's approval of Daybue boosts Acadia's presence in the Canadian market.

The rise of personalized medicine aligns with Acadia's targeted therapy approach.

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