The Patent Agent/Senior Patent Agent will report to the Senior Vice President, Head of Research and is responsible for leading all aspects of Contineum Therapeutic’s global patent strategy and operations. This role partners closely with Research & Development, Legal, and executive leadership to identify, protect, and maximize the value of innovations across the product life cycle. The position combines strategic portfolio development, worldwide patent prosecution oversight, IP risk management, transaction support, and operational leadership of IP systems and processes. The successful candidate will be both a strategic thought partner and a hands-on leader capable of driving high-quality execution in a fast-paced biotech environment.
This role may be hybrid in San Diego, CA or remote on the West Coast of the United States with 20% travel to the San Diego office.
Key Responsibilities:
- Lead global IP strategy for the company’s portfolio, including building, maintaining, defending, and maximizing the value of patent estates across all stages of research, development, and commercialization
- Independently manage worldwide patent prosecution, including U.S., PCT, and ex-U.S. filings, in close coordination with outside counsel and foreign agents; oversee IDS practice, cross-citations, and regulatory/formal requirements
- Act as strategic IP advisor to R&D and executive leadership, counseling on invention identification, life-cycle patent strategy, competitive landscape, risk assessment, and business-enabling opportunities
- Identify, assess, and mitigate IP risks, presenting strategic recommendations to IP, legal, and business stakeholders
- Support business development and transactional activities, including diligence, in-licensing, partnerships, and collaboration agreements; draft and review related IP agreements
- Advise on licensing strategy and potential IP disputes or litigation, partnering with internal teams and external counsel as appropriate
- Oversee IP operations and administration, ensuring integrity, completeness, and audit-readiness of IP management systems, docketing, regulatory listings, and patent databases
- Implement and manage IP systems and processes that is size appropriate to Contineum Therapeutics
- Ensure timely handling of patent correspondence and deadlines, coordinating with USPTO, foreign patent offices, and outside counsel to maintain full compliance and timely payment of all maintenance fees
- Draft IP filings and associated Markush and claims for all patentable inventions discovered by Contineum employees
- Manage outside counsel relationships to ensure high-quality, cost-effective execution
- Evaluate third-party patent landscapes and competitive portfolios to inform strategy and identify freedom-to-operate and growth opportunities
- Collaborate cross-functionally with Legal, Finance, R&D, Compliance, Commercial, and Business Development to support audits, reporting, transactions, and corporate objectives
- USPTO Registered Patient Agent with a Ph.D. in chemistry
- 3-5 years of experience as a patent agent in the life sciences field
- Experience in building and leveraging global IP portfolios for small molecule biopharmaceuticals at all stages of prosecution and enforcement
- Expertise designing and executing complex freedom-to-operate analyses across different technologies and different jurisdictions
- Experience in developing and communicating actionable risk mitigation strategies
- Experience in IP transactions and due diligence
- Experience in adverse IP proceedings, including but not limited to US litigation
- Exhibits a solution-oriented mindset, clear communication at all levels of an organization, and effective collaboration across cross-functional teams
- Tackles new challenges with curiosity and a growth-mindset, effectively utilizing available resources, and an enthusiastic willingness to listen and learn from others
- Excels in working independently and proactively with minimal direction, strong organizational skills, and ability to prioritize and balance competing projects and responsibilities in a fast-paced organization
We offer a competitive total compensation package and work in a supportive team environment. The anticipated salary range for candidates who will work in San Diego, CA is $200,000 - $230,000 annually. The final salary offered to a successful candidate will be dependent on several factors that may include but are not limited to the type and length of experience within the job, type and length of experience within the industry, education, etc. Contineum offers competitive compensation and benefits, including:
- 90% employer-covered benefits
- Flexible PTO
- A very generous holiday schedule that includes a week off in August and time off around the winter holidays
- A well-stocked kitchen with snacks and beverages
- Additional benefits include the opportunity for annual bonuses, stock options, an Employee Stock Purchase Program, and a 401(k) with an employer match.
- The comprehensive wellness program includes medical, dental, vision, and LTD coverage.