Head of Intellectual Property, Executive Director

Kardigan Therapeutics (“Kardigan” or “the Company”) has engaged Major, Lindsey & Africa on an exclusive basis to conduct a national search for a Head of Intellectual Property (“Head of IP”), to be located in South San Francisco, CA or Princeton, NJ. Kardigan is an equal opportunity employer.

Job Overview 

Kardigan is seeking an experienced and collaborative Head of IP to lead and manage its global intellectual property (IP) strategy and operations. Reporting to the General Counsel, this Executive Director level attorney will play a critical role in Kardigan’s success. The Head of IP will oversee the development and execution of the IP strategy, including managing the IP portfolio, collaborating closely with cross-functional teams, and ensuring the company’s IP assets are properly protected. This position requires a strong foundation in IP law, patent strategy, portfolio management, and licensing. You will manage the lifecycle of IP assets, establish best practices in IP processes, and ensure compliance with company policies and industry regulations. This is a unique opportunity for building and leading IP strategy at a company with both early and late-stage programs.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities 

• Develop and implement a comprehensive IP strategy that aligns with the company’s business objectives. Manage the global IP portfolio, including patents, trademarks, and trade secrets, ensuring its alignment with strategic goals. Lead efforts to identify, protect, and leverage key IP assets in support of innovation and growth.
• Oversee patent filings, prosecutions, and patent portfolio management, including developing strategies for global patent protection for both early and late-stage programs. Work with external counsel and internal stakeholders to draft and prosecute patents and ensure timely strategic filings.
• Negotiate IP licensing agreements, including in-bound and out-bound licensing, technology transfers, and other IP-related transactions. Work closely with the business development team to structure deals that maximize the value of the company’s IP.
• Serve as the key advisor on IP matters to the executive leadership team and board of directors. Regularly report on the status of the company’s IP assets, associated risks, and opportunities, ensuring that IP strategy is aligned with overall business goals.
• Partner with R&D, business development, legal, and program teams to ensure IP strategy is integrated into all stages of product development and commercialization.
• Develop and implement strategies for identifying and mitigating IP risks throughout R&D and clinical trial stages and managing disputes that may include litigation, post-grant proceedings, IPRs and oppositions.
• Develop and implement training programs to educate internal teams on IP matters, best practices, and legal considerations.

Qualifications and Skills 

• JD required with 12+ years of experience in intellectual property law. Both law firm and in-house experience is preferred.
• Member of in good standing of any U.S. state bar.
• Advanced degree in chemistry, biochemistry or related field required; PhD preferred.
• Registered to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
• Proven expertise in patent prosecution, IP licensing, and managing IP portfolios in a global context and for both early and late-stage programs.
• Strong experience in negotiating and drafting complex IP agreements, including licensing, joint development, and technology transfer agreements.
• Demonstrated success in aligning IP strategy with business objectives in the biotechnology or pharmaceutical industries.
• Experience with IP strategy for assets in late clinical trial or commercial stage, including pre-ANDA litigation strategy.
• Strong knowledge of biotechnology, life sciences, and related industries, with a focus on IP issues arising during both early and late clinical trial stage, product development and launch, and the formation and maintenance of partnerships and other collaborations.
• Proven ability to build and lead a high-performing team, with experience in mentoring and developing IP professionals.
• Exceptional communication and negotiation skills, with the ability to influence and collaborate effectively with senior leadership and external partners.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, with a focus on risk mitigation and operational efficiency.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and projects simultaneously in a fast-paced environment.
• Self-motivated and results-oriented, with a proactive approach to identifying and addressing issues.
• Deep understanding of IP law and practice across multiple jurisdictions.
• Detail-oriented with excellent organizational skills, able to manage complex IP portfolios and projects effectively.
• Understands and supports a “patient-first” mentality.
   

Why This Is a Great Opportunity!

• Kardigan launched in January 2025 following a Series A raise of $300M from Perceptive Advisors, ARCH Venture Partners, and Sequoia Heritage.
• Kardigan is actively engaged in both early and late phase clinical trials.
• Kardigan is led by a team of biopharma veterans with a proven track record in cardiovascular drug development.
• With its recent acquisition of Prolaio (a clinical intelligence company with patient monitoring software and industry-leading cardiovascular clinical data sets), Kardigan now has the added ability to optimize and accelerate its own substantial therapeutic research and development pipeline, thus expediting its mission to directly develop multiple targeted medicines in parallel and at an unprecedented rate.
• While this role is Kardigan’s first IP hire, it is anticipated that, over time, this attorney will be responsible for hiring and developing an IP team.

Experience: The successful candidate will have a minimum of 12+ years of experience in intellectual property law. Proven expertise in life cycle management, patent prosecution, IP licensing, and managing IP portfolios in a global context and for both early and late-stage programs is required. Such experience in a biopharma company with pre-commercial or commercial therapeutic products is a plus. Advanced degree in chemistry, biochemistry or related field required; PhD preferred. Both law firm and in-house experience is preferred.

Location/Relocation: This role will be based in South San Francisco, CA or Princeton, NJ. Four days / week in the office is required.

Compensation: Base range is $296 – 385K (most candidates will fall in the middle of this range) + 22.5% bonus + equity.

Bar: Candidates must be a member in good standing of any US state bar and registered to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

Application Process

Interested candidates should submit a resume to:

Carol Warren Simon, Partner, In-House Counsel Recruiting
csimon@mlaglobal.com

Joyce Wong, Director, In-House Counsel Recruiting
jwong@mlaglobal.com

Valerie Davidovsky, Search Specialist, In-House Counsel Recruiting
vdavidovsky@mlaglobal.com

You may be required to complete additional documents to be considered for this position. Please do not contact Kardigan directly; all resumes sent to Kardigan will be routed to MLA for handling and will create delays.