Executive Director, Intellectual Property & Legal

Position:              Executive Director, Intellectual Property & Legal
Department:     Operations
Location:             Remote with up to 20% domestic travel
Reports To:        Chief Operating Officer

 

Position Summary

The Executive Director, Intellectual Property & Legal will be responsible for leading and elevating our global IP strategy as we advance toward commercialization. Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, this role will serve as the company’s senior IP authority and a key member of the legal leadership team, responsible for shaping and executing a comprehensive intellectual property strategy across our research projects to late-stage clinical and future commercial programs.

This individual will combine strategic leadership with hands-on execution, partnering closely with R&D, Clinical, CMC, Business Development, and Executive Leadership to maximize portfolio value, secure competitive advantage, and mitigate risk. In addition to leading the IP function, this role will have the opportunity to oversee and develop the broader in-house legal team supporting U.S. and International operations.

This is a high-impact role within a growing, mission-driven biopharmaceutical organization preparing for commercialization.

Responsibilities

IP Strategy & Portfolio Leadership

• Develop and execute a global IP strategy aligned with corporate and program objectives.
• Lead the building, prosecution, and lifecycle management of a worldwide patent portfolio, including composition of matter, formulation, method of use, and platform innovations.
• Oversee patent term extension (PTE), supplementary protection certificates (SPCs), and regulatory exclusivity strategies.
• Provide freedom-to-operate (FTO), validity, enforceability, and infringement analyses to inform R&D, clinical, manufacturing, and commercial decisions.
• Partner with scientific teams to identify, capture, and protect inventions early and effectively.
• Lead global trademark strategy and trade secret protection.

Business Development & Transactional Support

• Provide strategic IP guidance for licensing, collaborations, co-development agreements, financings, and M&A transactions.
• Lead IP due diligence efforts for inbound and outbound transactions.
• Draft, negotiate, and advise on IP-related provisions in research, clinical, manufacturing, supply, and commercial agreements.
• Structure IP frameworks that preserve long-term asset value while enabling strategic partnerships.

Disputes & Risk Management

• Oversee IP-related disputes and pre-litigation risk assessments.
• Manage outside counsel in patent litigation, U.S. inter partes review (IPR), post-grant proceedings, European oppositions, and other adversarial actions.
• Develop proactive risk mitigation strategies in key global jurisdictions.

Legal Leadership & Operational Excellence

• Manage and optimize relationships with external patent and litigation counsel, ensuring quality and cost discipline.
• Establish scalable IP processes and governance appropriate for a company transitioning toward commercialization.
• Foster a high-performing, collaborative, and business-oriented legal team culture.
• Provide leadership oversight and development support to the broader in-house legal team over time.
  
  

Qualifications

• J.D. from an accredited law school and active license in good standing in at least one U.S. jurisdiction.
• U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) registration and eligibility to practice before the USPTO.
• 12+ years of progressive intellectual property experience in the biopharmaceutical industry, including substantial law firm and/or in-house experience.
• Demonstrated experience managing global patent portfolios across the U.S., Europe (including SPCs), UK, and Asia.
• Proven ability to advise senior executives while balancing legal risk with business objectives.
• Strong experience supporting late-stage clinical development and/or commercialization planning.

 

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced scientific degree (M.S. or Ph.D.) in chemistry, biochemistry, molecular biology, or related discipline strongly preferred.
• Experience in rare disease and orphan drug regulatory exclusivity frameworks in the U.S. and EU.
• Direct experience managing patent litigation, IPRs, oppositions, or other post-grant proceedings.
• Prior experience building or scaling an in-house IP function within a growing biotech organization.
  
  

Leadership Profile

• Strategic and forward-looking, yet willing to engage directly in execution.
• Credible advisor to executive leadership and cross-functional teams.
• Collaborative and pragmatic, with strong influencing skills.
• Entrepreneurial mindset suited for a dynamic, high-growth environment.
• Passionate about advancing therapies for patients with serious, underserved diseases.

 

Salary Range: $270,000 - $340,000

 

About Angitia

 Established in June 2018, Angitia Biopharmaceuticals is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on the discovery and development of innovative therapeutics for serious musculoskeletal diseases. Angitia is currently studying 3 biologic product candidates in the clinic for the treatment of osteoporosis, osteogenesis imperfecta (OI), and spinal fusion. Leveraging the team's extensive experience and scientific acumen in novel drug development, Angitia is committed to providing groundbreaking therapies to satisfy key unmet medical needs. The founder and the core team members of Angitia are seasoned scientific leaders in new drug discovery, development, and management from both overseas and domestic large multinational companies. The company has built its headquarters in Westlake Village, CA, USA, and offices in Guangzhou, China, which is distinguished by world-class scientists with talents that are proficient in the pathophysiology of musculoskeletal diseases. The company is committed to serving patients in need by carrying out innovative science, including internal research and external collaborations with academics and global biopharmaceutical companies. We are seeking talented individuals who are innovative, ambitious, and great team players to join our vibrant group.

 

Learn more at www.angitiabio.com.

 

Benefits:

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and their eligible dependents
• 401(K) Retirement Plan with Company match
• Company paid Long Term Disability Coverage
• Company-paid life Insurance & AD&D Coverage
• Voluntary Life Insurance & AD&D Coverage
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Company-paid Holidays
• Vacation
• Paid Sick Leave
• Telecommunication Monthly Stipend
• Work-From-Home Equipment Reimbursement