Patent Attorney

About the role

As a Patent Attorney at Novartis you will protect groundbreaking scientific discoveries and enable life‑changing medicines to reach patients worldwide. Working closely with R&D teams you will shape IP strategy, build robust patent portfolios and navigate complex legal landscapes across the product lifecycle.

Key responsibilities

• Provide strategic, business‑focused counsel to R&D on invention protection, portfolio development, publication strategy and third‑party risks.
• Identify inventions and manage patent portfolios, including preparation, prosecution, maintenance and defence of filings for new molecular entities, processes, manufacturing, platforms, technologies and clinical developments.
• Render legal opinions on patentability, validity and freedom‑to‑operate; develop patent strategies that strengthen IP positions and support effective defence.
• Apply deep knowledge of national patent law, legal developments and patent trends to shape advice.
• Communicate with legal, IP and R&D stakeholders and manage relationships with outside counsel and global patent function.
• Conduct due‑diligence, assess freedom‑to‑operate, infringement, validity and risk mitigation strategies.
• Provide IP support for M&A, research collaborations and in‑licensing, including contract drafting and negotiation.
• Ensure high‑quality, timely delivery of work aligned with business goals and budgets.

Required profile

• Juris Doctor degree with admission to at least one state bar and registration to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
• Advanced degree in chemistry or related field, preferably a doctoral degree.
• Significant experience as a patent attorney in a law firm, pharmaceutical or biotechnology environment.
• Strong technical expertise in chemistry, especially small‑molecule synthesis or pharmaceutical development.
• Expertise in U.S. and PCT patent law, filing processes, prosecution practice, and solid understanding of European and other major global patent systems.
• Proven ability to partner with scientific and business stakeholders to deliver strategic IP advice.

Required skills

• Chemistry
• Small‑molecule synthesis
• Pharmaceutical development
• U.S. patent law
• PCT patent law
• European patent law
• Patent prosecution