Career Opportunities in the Foresite Capital Network

ProQR Therapeutics is a biotechnology company listed on NASDAQ with offices in Leiden, the Netherlands and Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA. ProQR is focused on the development of life-changing RNA therapies to meet the unmet need of individuals and families with common and rare diseases. A team of around 130 enthusiastic ProQRians from all walks of life and more than 30 different nationalities is up to this challenge. We have the passion and commitment to make a difference in the lives of the communities we serve. Our proprietary Axiomer® RNA editing technology platform enables the editing of specific single nucleotides in RNA using the cell’s own editing machinery. Axiomer® RNA editing technology harnesses ADAR (Adenosine Deaminase Acting on RNA), which is machinery present in all human cells to repair G-to-A mutations, modulate protein, and enable protective mutation functions. Axiomer could potentially yield a new class of innovative medicines and treat currently untreatable diseases.

ProQR is currently looking for a Director Intellectual Property (full time) to join the Legal Department.

Location: Leiden, NL

The role:

The Director IP is a member of the Legal department and is involved in ensuring that ProQR’s Intellectual Property Rights (IPR’s) are sufficiently protected by building, maintaining, and controlling the company’s IP portfolio. The Director IP supports the Research departments and MT in all IP-related matters, such as in- and out-licensing, litigation, Freedom-to-Operate (FTO), financial transactions, press releases, financial reports, etc. The Director IP is one of the key experts in the field of IP and stimulates a high standard of patent-awareness amongst all employees within ProQR.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

• Identifies new and innovative scientific developments within the Company and acts to ensure a rapid and solid protection of any new inventions; influences innovation to further substantiate protection
• Stimulates development of intellectual capital
• Performs analysis of scientific developments, develops scientific and IP strategies, and is in charge of drafting, submitting and prosecuting patent applications
• Maintains external communications with external IP counsel. Aligns people in IP-related matters.
• Maintains the IP portfolio such that it provides a solid protection of the ongoing programs in the most relevant economies, weighing the interest of the Company towards the limits of the Company’s IP budget
• Is involved in maintaining a fully updated overview of the Company’s IP
• Cooperates with Innovation, Manufacturing, Product Development, Legal, Paralegal, Finance, BD, General Counsel, and MT to ensure smooth processing of IP-related issues and transactions
• Assesses FTO issues in respect of ongoing and future programs; reports any FTO issues timely and takes appropriate action
• Acts as a mentor for all employees regarding IP matters and questions
• Trains key innovative personnel on a regular basis to gain and maintain patent-awareness
• Reviews scientific disclosures (posters, presentations, blogs, webinars, seminars, Form 20-F, press releases, etc.) that contain scientific and/or IP sensitive data before it is made public; and acts directly thereupon when necessary

The Director IP will have decision making authority on:

• Drafting, filing, and prosecuting patent applications, maintaining patents
• Instructing outside counsel
• Approving confidentiality agreements
• Approving disclosures before publication

Tasks:

• Assist and advice the Company and its personnel in all IP-related matters
• Identify new inventions, draft, and prosecute patent applications
• Identify potential blocking third party IP, and thereupon initiate oppositions, third-party observations, and other post-grant proceedings, if applicable
• Draft and maintain FTO assessments
• Review public disclosures before publication

Required qualifications:

• European Patent Attorney degree with a PhD or MSc in Life Sciences, most preferably (bio)chemistry. Dutch Patent Attorney degree or any other national degree is preferred but not required. Knowledge of and/or experience in US patent law is preferred.
• Preferably practical experience of working in an IP department for two (2) years within the biotechnology and/or pharmaceutical industry.
• Fluent in English and preferably a good understanding of German and French.
• Independent decision maker, anxious to keep developing knowledge of international IP and competition law.
• High level of accuracy and quality awareness, with an analytical, flexible, and proactive attitude. Works autonomously, has an entrepreneurial spirit, and is besides being solution and business oriented also a team player and an enthusiastic, creative thinker.

ProQR as an employer

As an employer, we are a true believer of the value of a workforce in which people from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to develop themselves, personally and professionally. We believe that happy and energized people, working well together in an environment in which they thrive, will do phenomenal and awesome things.

We are committed to ensuring that no employee, candidate or job applicant receives less favorable treatment on the grounds of race, age, disability, pregnancy, religion, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, marriage or civil partnership status. At ProQR we want to create an inclusive culture where everyone can be valued for who they are and in which individual differences and the contributions in all forms are recognized and valued.

We offer an exciting and innovative working environment in a very committed organization, with the following benefits:

• A competitive salary
• 8% holiday allowance
• 30 vacation days
• An annual performance bonus
• Stock options
• A premium-free pension plan
• A commuting allowance
• A subsidized staff restaurant
• Employee events (boot camp, Hipster café and other social events)

Do you think you can contribute to achieving our mission? If so, we’re looking forward to receiving your application by filling out our application form.

You can contact Silvia Catellani via recruitment@proqr.com if you have any questions.