Company Summary:

Laronde is pioneering a platform that offers a completely novel way of modulating human biology. Endless RNA™ (eRNA), is a uniquely engineered RNA that can be programmed to express diverse proteins inside the body. It is long lasting, non-immunogenic, allows for repeat dosing, and offers flexibility in formulation and delivery.

Laronde was founded in 2017 by Flagship Labs, the innovation foundry of Flagship Pioneering. Laronde has raised a record breaking $440 Million in a Series B Financing to advance the development of its eRNA platform. There is a broad pipeline across therapeutic categories with the goal of 100 medicines in 10 years. To learn more, please visit the company's website at https://www.laronde.bio/about.

Position Summary:

We are seeking a business savvy, creative, hands-on, strategic Head of Intellectual Property (VP or SVP level) with significant transactional experience who will build value through developing and executing IP strategy for the company's innovative therapeutic technologies and platforms. The successful candidate has a demonstrated ability to think strategically and is fluent in multiple scientific and technology areas. This is an extremely interactive role in a unique environment that requires excellent communication skills and the ability to provide pragmatic and business-savvy advice, identify and leverage innovations, build transactional value, manage multiple priorities, and succinctly identify and communicate decisions and rationales to both scientific and executive teams. The position reports to the CEO.

This role can be based at our Somerville MA site or Remote.

Key Responsibilities:

• Build, execute, and manage a global IP strategy for Laronde, including developing and growing a patent portfolio, identifying and mitigating 3rd party IP issues, and efficiently managing outside counsel.
• Collaborate with corporate and BD teams for partnering, IP due diligence, competitive intelligence, and IP licensing efforts.
• Provide both general legal IP-focused counsel and education to company scientists and management
• Help build IP and contracting infrastructure and management as needed to manage growth and effect efficiencies.
• Drive brand protection by working with stakeholders to implement trademark strategy.

Qualifications:

• Juris Doctorate and graduate science degree (Ph.D. in biological or chemistry field).
• At least 10 years of IP advisor experience (prosecution, opinion work, strategic development, transactional work) and at least 4 years of in-house IP experience.
• Registered to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
• Substantive transactional experience.
• Extensive knowledge of patent law and procedure, including international and foreign patent prosecution procedure.
• IP litigation experience.
• Nucleic Acid expertise highly preferred

Personal Characteristics:

• Flexible, personable team-player, able to think "out-of-the-box"; comfort with a fast-paced, small company environment, early stage pre-data IP building, and helping design experiments to optimally support IP filings.
• Proven ability to set and meet ambitious deadlines, handle numerous multifaceted legal issues, and see projects through to conclusion.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills and demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with both scientists and management.
• Ability to distill complexity and to communicate decisively with sound judgment

Laronde is committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status.

Recruitment & Staffing Agencies: Laronde does not accept unsolicited resumes from any source other than candidates. The submission of unsolicited resumes by recruitment or staffing agencies to Laronde or its employees is strictly prohibited unless contacted directly by Laronde's internal Talent Acquisition team. Any resume submitted by an agency in the absence of a signed agreement will automatically become the property of Laronde, and Laronde will not owe any referral or other fees with respect thereto