Associate General Counsel, Intellectual Property

Associate General Counsel, Intellectual Property

Introduction:

Xencor is a public, clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company located in the Los Angeles area (Pasadena) and in San Diego. Our focus is developing high-potential XmAb® bispecific T-cell engagers and additional engineered drug candidates that leverage our differentiated technology platforms, and we are advancing our pipeline toward clinical proof-of-concept decisions. Our goal is to create high-impact therapeutics for patients with cancer and other serious diseases. More than 20 XmAb drug candidates engineered with our technology are in clinical development, and three XmAb medicines have been marketed by partners. For more information, please visit www.xencor.com. We have an excellent opportunity for an Associate General Counsel, Intellectual Property to join our team.

This position will be a hybrid role with 2 days a week on-site in our Pasadena, CA. Office

Summary:

Responsible for the legal protection of Xencor’s proprietary technologies, including patent filings, US and global filing strategies, trademarks and copyrights as well as supporting licensing, business development, competitive intelligence, negotiations and patent litigation.

Job Duties:

• In close collaboration with IP team members, strategically develops and executes offensive and defensive IP strategies to support business objectives, including building competitive patent portfolios
• Works with internal researchers to prepare data packages for outside counsel filings and determines inventorship for those filings
• Conducts in-depth analyses of competitor products and IP portfolios
• Monitors and evaluates competitor IP portfolios and identifying strategic insights
• Collaborates with transactional legal counsel, including preparing and reviewing research and development agreements, confidentiality agreements, license agreements, and consulting agreements and counseling the business regarding IP transactional matters
• Assists external litigation counsel on IP litigation matters
• Develops and conducts employee training sessions on patent best practices, the protection of innovations through the patent process, maintaining confidential business information, contractor and vendor matters and the overall development of intellectual property assets
• Conducts due diligence on potential partners and freedom-to-operate assessments that drive strategic acquisitions and product development
• Supports business development by managing the due diligence of Xencor IP by potential partners
• Adheres to all department and company-wide policies regarding conduct, performance and procedures
• Provides oversight and direction to direct and indirect reports, as applicable, in accordance with the organization’s policies and procedures.  The responsibilities may include, but are not limited to recruiting, training, communicating job expectations, appraising and managing job performance, delivering feedback and coaching, and providing career development planning and opportunities
• Performs other duties as required.

Education/Experience/Skills:

Position requires a Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school, demonstrating a strong academic background, and be admitted to a US state bar (preferably CA) in good standing.  Also requires at least 15 years of experience practicing patent law in AM100 law firm and/or large corporate legal department and USPTO registration in good standing.  Prior in-house legal experience, experience in biologics and antibodies and knowledge of multi specific antibodies and antibody-drug conjugates preferred. Experience handling PTAB/EPO Oppositions and supporting patent litigation as well as influencing and managing internal and external stakeholders also preferred. 

Position also requires: 

• Working knowledge of patent laws in major jurisdictions outside of the US
• Proven ability to lead attorneys and/or patent agents and/or paralegals, and to perform successfully in cross-functional teams, with the ability to lead and mentor
• Ability to handle multiple projects in fast-paced environment and exercise sound commercial and legal judgment.
• Ability to independently handle highly complex matters with minimal supervision and understand which issues to elevate to senior management and the appropriate timing for doing so

• In addition to exceptional legal skills and a strong ethical center, excellent interpersonal, strategic thinking, communication, and organizational skills
• Excellent organizational documentation and interpersonal skills 
• Ability to think critically and apply adaptive learning 
• Ability to work both independently and in a team setting
• Good interpersonal skills and ability to interact well with others at all levels
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills; ability to communicate clearly and effectively with scientific colleagues and  management by contributing sound scientific concepts, ideas and direction
• Ability to excel in an entrepreneurial environment with initiative and flexibility in delivering independent and matrixed team contributions
• Significant analytical, assessment and problem-solving skills
• Ability to read, analyze, interpret and communicate complex data and information
• Proficiency in MS Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint) and ability to use job relevant software programs
• Ability to effectively manage others through coaching and supervision, in accordance with company policies and practices. Ensures employee performance meets the organization’s expectations for conduct, productivity, quality, continuous improvement, and goal accomplishment.
• Ability to demonstrate competencies applicable for job based on Xencor’s Leadership Competency Model.

Physical, Mental and Environment Demands:

The physical, mental and working environment demands described are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the primary functions of this position.

The physical demands when working in the office environment are normally associated with extended amounts of time sitting and using office equipment, including a computer, keyboard and mouse, which can cause muscle strain. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand, walk and sit. Periodic light lifting of supplies and materials may apply.

Specific mental demands for the position are listed above under requirements.  In addition, mental demands for this position include:

• Ability to multitask without loss of efficiency or accuracy, including the ability to perform multiple duties from multiple sources.
• Ability to work and sustain attention with distractions and/or interruptions.
• Ability to interact appropriately with a variety of individuals including vendors, customers and clients.
• Ability to maintain regular attendance and be punctual.
• Ability to understand, remember and follow verbal and written instructions.

I

Occasional travel may be required, including travel between Xencor’s Pasadena and San Diego offices. Work for this position is generally performed at Xencor’s worksite and requires full-time commitment.

Expected Base Salary Range: $272,000 - $313,000

The actual salary will be based on the selected candidate’s qualifications, including skills, competencies, education and experience. Xencor offers a competitive total rewards package including 401k match, healthcare coverage, ESPP and a broad range of other benefits.  In addition, this position will be eligible for an annual bonus and equity grant. For more information, please see https://xencor.com/careers/.

Xencor requires all employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of employment.  Being fully vaccinated means that at least two weeks have passed since an individual’s final dose of an authorized COVID-19 vaccine regimen.  New employees will be required to provide proof of their COVID-19 vaccination status as of their start date unless an exemption or accommodation is approved.

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Statement

The Company will provide reasonable accommodations (such as a qualified sign language interpreter or other personal assistance) with the application process upon your request as required to comply with applicable laws. If you have a disability and require assistance in this application process, please contact HR@xencor.com.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable Accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Statement

The Company is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender or gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by state or federal law.

Xencor does not accept profiles or resumes from recruiting vendors without a binding written agreement. Any unsolicited submission of services and or resumes in no way creates an obligation or duty by Xencor, implied or otherwise.