Associate Director - IP

<div class="content-intro"><p><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;">Azurity Pharmaceuticals is a privately held, specialty pharmaceutical company that focuses on innovative products that meet the needs of underserved patients. As an industry leader in providing unique, accessible, and high-quality medications, Azurity leverages its integrated capabilities and vast partner network to continually expand its broad commercial product portfolio and robust late-stage pipeline. The company’s patient-centric products span the cardiovascular, neurology, endocrinology, gastro-intestinal, institutional, and orphan markets, and have benefited millions of patients. For more information, visit <a href="http://www.azurity.com/">www.azurity.com</a>.</span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;">Azurity Pharmaceuticals is proud to be an inclusive workplace and an Equal Opportunity Employer. Azurity's success is attributable to our incredibly talented, dedicated team that focuses on benefiting the lives of patients by bringing the best science and commitment to quality into everything that we do. We seek highly motivated individuals with the dedication, integrity, and creative spirit needed to thrive in our organization.</span></p></div><p><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Job Summary</strong></span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Azurity Pharmaceuticals is seeking an experienced and seasoned Patent Professional to join the expanding Intellectual Property (IP) team. The Associate Director – Intellectual Property (IP) will play a key leadership role in driving the development, protection, and commercialization of the company’s intellectual property portfolio. This position will support strategic IP initiatives, manage patent lifecycle activities, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to enable product development and market access. The ideal candidate will combine deep IP knowledge with business acumen, supporting cross-functional initiatives and managing the company’s innovative formulations across key global markets.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Key Responsibilities</strong></span></p> <ol> <li style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong> IP Strategy &amp; Portfolio Management</strong></span></li> </ol> <ul> <li style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Manage the IP portfolio, including patents and trademarks, across multiple jurisdictions.</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Lead the development and execution of IP strategies aligned with R&amp;D and commercial objectives.</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Conduct thorough IP due diligence to support product selection, licensing, M&amp;A, and strategic partnerships.</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Oversee patent life cycle management, including drafting, filing, prosecution, opposition, maintenance, and strategic abandonment.</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Guide new product opportunity identification through an IP lens, enabling lifecycle extension and exclusivity strategies.</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Develop and execute IP strategies aligned with business and product development goals.</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Manage and expand the patent portfolio across multiple geographies.</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Support lifecycle management strategies to maximize product exclusivity.</span></li> </ul> <ol> <li style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong> IP Due Diligence &amp; Risk Management </strong></span></li> </ol> <ul> <li style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Perform prior art searches, patentability assessments, landscape analysis, and freedom-to-operate (FTO) evaluations.</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Analyze Orange Book-listed patents &amp; Pending Patent Applications and develop IP strategies in compliance with regulatory and legal requirements.</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Generate risk assessment reports &amp; provide IP clearances for proposed formulations, synthesis routes, polymorphs, and manufacturing processes.</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Analyze the IP to develop non-infringement and patent invalidation strategies, including prior art search and claim construction.</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Conduct IP landscape and freedom-to-operate (FTO) assessments.</span></li> </ul> <ol> <li style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong> Litigation Support</strong></span></li> </ol> <ul> <li style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Provide strategic support to the Legal team on patent litigations, including IPR (Inter Partes Review) and PGR (Post-Grant Review) proceedings.</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Develop claim construction and invalidity arguments, leveraging prior art and technical literature.</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Monitor ongoing litigations, especially within the U.S., and assess potential business impact.</span></li> </ul> <ol> <li style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong> Patent Drafting &amp; Prosecution</strong></span></li> </ol> <ul> <li style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Oversee patent drafting, filing, prosecution, and maintenance activities.</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Work with external counsel to ensure high-quality filings and timely responses.</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Provide scientific and technical input to attorneys while responding to office actions.</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Review invention disclosures and guide teams on patentability considerations</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Monitor global patent filings and competitor activities</span></li> </ul> <ol> <li style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong> Cross-functional Collaboration</strong></span></li> </ol> <ul> <li style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Collaborate with the R&amp;D team to identify patentable inventions and formulate patentable strategies.</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Partner with the R&amp;D team to identify opportunities for differentiated product filings, including 505(b)(2) and ANDA strategies.</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Engage with relevant stakeholders (R&amp;D, Regulatory, Clinical &amp; Legal teams throughout the development cycle.</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Support the development of alternate or workaround strategies for blocking IP.</span></li> </ul> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>&nbsp;</strong></span></p> <ol> <li style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong> Market &amp; Competitive Intelligence</strong></span></li> </ol> <ul> <li style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Continuously monitor market trends, IP filings, and competitive developments through SEC filings, earnings calls, and public disclosures.</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Conduct whitespace analysis and technology mapping to identify new opportunities.</span></li> </ul> <ol> <li style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong> Leadership &amp; Team Management</strong></span></li> </ol> <ul> <li style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Lead and mentor a team of 1-2 IP professionals.</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Ensure efficient workflows across drafting, filing, and prosecution processes.</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Drive capability building within the IP function.</span></li> </ul> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Qualifications</strong></span></p> <ul> <li style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Advanced degree in Pharmacy or a related scientific discipline.</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">14–16 years of relevant experience in Intellectual Property domain within the pharmaceutical industry, preferably with a focus on formulations.</span></li> </ul> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Preferred Skills &amp; Attributes</strong></span></p> <ul> <li style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Deep understanding of global patent systems and procedures (including Indian, US, EP, and PCT).</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Demonstrated expertise in patent analysis, drafting, prosecution, and litigation support.</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Exposure to P-IV litigations is highly desirable.</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Expertise in global IP law, with hands-on experience in patent filing, prosecution, and infringement/invalidity analysis.</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Strong command over FTO analysis, Orange Book navigation, and regulatory IP alignment (including 505(b)(2) applications).</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Excellent analytical, communication, and interpersonal skills with an ability to work effectively in cross-functional and global teams.</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Strong organizational and time management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities under tight deadlines.</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a proactive mindset.</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Ability to lead and mentor teams by setting clear expectations, providing continuous feedback, and fostering professional growth.</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Strong interpersonal communication skills for effective cross-functional collaboration.</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Demonstrated ability to influence and negotiate within multidisciplinary teams.</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Comfort working across multiple time zones and adapting to a dynamic, fast-paced environment.</span></li> </ul><div class="content-conclusion"><p><span data-olk-copy-source="MessageBody">By applying for this role, you confirm that you are mentally and physically capable of fulfilling the job responsibilities detailed in the job description without any restrictions. If you have any concerns or even the slightest disability that may affect your ability to perform the job, please inform HR in advance.</span></p></div>