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Patent Agent

Bedford, Massachusetts, United States

About Stoke:

Stoke Therapeutics (Nasdaq: STOK), is a biotechnology company dedicated to restoring protein expression by harnessing the body’s potential with RNA medicine. Using Stoke’s proprietary TANGO (Targeted Augmentation of Nuclear Gene Output) approach, Stoke is developing antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) to selectively restore naturally-occurring protein levels. Stoke’s first medicine in development, zorevunersen, has demonstrated the potential for disease modification in patients with Dravet syndrome and is currently being evaluated in a Phase 3 study. Stoke’s initial focus are diseases of the central nervous system and the eye that are caused by a loss of ~50% of normal protein levels (haploinsufficiency). Proof of concept has been demonstrated in other organs, tissues, and systems, supporting broad potential for Stoke’s proprietary approach. Stoke is headquartered in Bedford, Massachusetts. For more information, visit https://www.stoketherapeutics.com/

Position Purpose:

Stoke Therapeutics is seeking a highly motivated Patent Agent to join its Intellectual Property team. This individual will report to the Head of Intellectual Property and will play an important role in protecting Stoke's innovations and supporting the company's intellectual property strategy.

The Patent Agent will work closely with internal scientists, R&D leaders, outside counsel, and other cross-functional stakeholders to support Stoke's patent portfolio, including U.S. and foreign patent prosecution, patent application drafting, patentability and freedom-to-operate analyses, competitive intelligence, docket management, and internal IP education.

This role is based in Bedford/Waltham, MA three days a week and is not available for remote applicants. It is an excellent opportunity for a patent professional with a strong technical background in chemistry, biochemistry, molecular biology, or a related life sciences field, and with experience supporting biotech or pharmaceutical patent portfolios. Familiarity with antisense oligonucleotides, RNAi, mRNA technologies, oligonucleotide chemistry, nucleic acid therapeutics, or related RNA-based therapeutic platforms is highly desirable.

Key Responsibilities:

Patent Preparation and Prosecution

  • Draft responses to U.S. Patent and Trademark Office actions and coordinate responses to foreign office actions with outside counsel and foreign associates.
  • Draft and assist with the preparation of provisional, non-provisional, PCT, continuation, divisional, and foreign patent applications.
  • Support global patent prosecution strategy for Stoke's research and development programs.
  • Work with outside counsel to ensure high-quality, strategically aligned patent filings and prosecution positions.
  • Review and analyze prior art, office actions, search reports, written opinions, and examination reports.
  • Maintain and update patent docket records, portfolio records, invention disclosure records, and related IP documentation.

Invention Capture and Portfolio Development

  • Partner with scientists and technical teams to identify patentable inventions and develop appropriate patent protection strategies.
  • Review invention disclosures, research updates, publications, posters, abstracts, presentations, and manuscripts for potential IP implications.
  • Develop and deliver IP trainings for internal scientists and R&D teams, including training on invention disclosure practices, publication review, confidentiality, patent filing strategy, and good IP hygiene.
  • Help maintain and develop a global patent portfolio aligned with Stoke's scientific, clinical, and business objectives.

Patentability, FTO, and Competitive Intelligence

  • Conduct patentability, landscape, freedom-to-operate, validity, and competitive intelligence searches.
  • Monitor competitor patent filings, publications, clinical developments, and relevant patent office proceedings.
  • Prepare summaries and analyses of third-party patent positions and competitive IP developments.
  • Support internal assessments of IP risks and opportunities for Stoke's programs and technology platforms.

Required Skills & Experience: 

  • Registration to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
  • Bachelor's degree in chemistry, biochemistry, molecular biology, cell biology, chemical biology, biotechnology, pharmacology, biomedical engineering, or a related life sciences discipline. Advanced degree preferred.
  • Law degree or state bar admission is welcome but not required.
  • Approximately 3-5 years of patent prosecution experience in a law firm, biotech company, pharmaceutical company, or comparable life sciences environment.
  • Technical or patent experience involving antisense oligonucleotides, RNAi, mRNA technologies, or related modalities a plus
  • Experience drafting and prosecuting patent applications in the biotechnology, pharmaceutical, chemical, or life sciences fields.
  • Experience preparing responses to U.S. patent office actions.
  • Familiarity with foreign patent prosecution practice, including working with outside counsel or foreign associates.
  • Experience conducting patentability, prior art, landscape, freedom-to-operate, or competitive intelligence searches.
  • Strong scientific judgment and ability to understand complex biological, chemical, and therapeutic technologies.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
  • Strong attention to detail, organizational skills, and ability to manage multiple deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
  • Ability to work collaboratively with scientists, lawyers, business colleagues, and outside counsel.

Location(s):

Stoke is located in Bedford, MA, and will be moving to a new location in Waltham, MA by the end of 2026. This position is a hybrid position, with 3+ days a week required onsite currently in our Bedford office and will later be at our new Waltham office.

Travel:

This position will require approximately 5% travel.

Compensation & Benefits:

At Stoke Therapeutics, we are committed to offering a comprehensive, competitive and thoughtfully designed total rewards program.

The anticipated salary range for this role is $121,000 - $155,000. The final offer will be determined based on a variety of factors, including role scope, experience and qualifications, education, market benchmarks, internal equity, and geographic location. In addition to base salary, Stoke offers an annual bonus and equity participation.

Our benefits package includes medical, dental and vision insurance; life, long- and short-term disability insurance; paid parental leave; a 401K plan with company match, unlimited vacation time, tuition assistance and participation in our Employee Stock Purchase Program (ESPP).

Culture & Values:

At Stoke, we believe that innovation, the ability to successfully advance our ground-breaking science and having fun as a team are enhanced by being together in person, at least periodically. We allow for flexibility in work arrangements that balance individual’s needs and preferences with the needs of our business and our desire to foster a culture of collaboration and innovation.

Our values guide our work to deliver meaningful medicines for people who need them. We are committed to being true to ourselves, to our colleagues, and to the people with severe diseases who are counting on us. We embrace diversity within a unique culture that is defined by our values. Our employee-led Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DIB) Committee underscores the importance of DIB to who we are and what we do. 

Interested candidates: Please visit Stoke’s website to learn more and apply directly to the position listed on our Career Center:

https://www.stoketherapeutics.com/careers/

For more information, visit https://www.stoketherapeutics.com/.

All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, physical or mental disability or protected veteran status.

Stoke participates in E-Verify.

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