Patent Attorney with technical background in biotechnology

The Position
Are you looking for a new challenging position in an international cross functional team combining your scientific skills with all aspects around patenting? Join our Patents department in Biberach or Ingelheim and develop and implement patent strategies for Boehringer Ingelheim’s New Biologic Entities (NBEs) on all their production steps, with a special focus on cell line development / molecular biology of mammalian cells and of virus and/or analytical methods for biologics. 

You will be at the forefront of innovation developed by Boehringer Ingelheim inhouse and in cooperation with external partners from industry and academia. You will secure these inventions by drafting, filing and prosecuting patent applications thereto. For this you will be integrated into an experienced in-house team of patent attorneys, searchers and patent specialists and interacting with law firms throughout the world. Clearing the path by assessing third party rights is part of the job as well as interaction with the legal department on contract negotiations and counselling the in-house R&D colleagues on all these matters. For this you will rely on your profound knowledge of life sciences, esp. along the production pipeline of biologics, from cloning to formulation and develop or improve your legal skills on this field. Boehringer Ingelheim faces a growing demand of IP counselling, esp. for virus and/or analytical projects, and thus for you in this newly created position. 

This position can be filled in Ingelheim or Biberach and is part-time eligible with min. 70 %.

It has a hybrid setup with approximately 2-3 days per week on-site.

Tasks & responsibilities

• In your new role you will develop and implement project-specific patent strategies for fundamental technologies in Boehringer Ingelheim's NBE production, from the gene to the product.
• As a central contact person in interdisciplinary research teams, you will support cross-technology development projects with the aim of sustainably strengthening the company's IP position.
• In addition, you will be responsible for managing patent portfolios, preparing high-quality patent applications and representing them in examination proceedings as well as in opposition and appeal proceedings.
• With your legal expertise, you will support the preparation of legal opinions, ensure freedom-to-operate and actively contribute to conflict avoidance and resolution.
• Furthermore, you will be involved in the enforcement and defense of intellectual property rights in court and out-of-court disputes.
• You will also advise on contractual issues relating to IP topics, draft IP concepts and negotiate IP clauses in license and cooperation agreements.
• In close cooperation with the technology teams, you will identify patenting opportunities in basic research at an early stage and evaluate them in terms of their commercial potential.
• Summarizing, you will be the first and main contact person for R&D colleagues of a defined area in biotechnology for all patent related questions.

Requirements

• Doctoral or Master’s degree in life sciences, focus biology, biochemistry, bio technology or related discipline with several years of working experience in patent practice (e.g. industry or private practice / law firm) with proven track record of handling molecular biological or biotechnological patent portfolios 
• European or German patent attorney and/or equivalent national qualification at a major patent office
• Ability to handle complex projects and to work in a matrix organization and in interdisciplinary teams 
• Understanding the interface of research & development, patent law and commercial business aspects 
• Be able to collaborate and communicate effectively with colleagues and stakeholders 
• Cooperative, independent way of working and efficient self-management skills with a professional authority 
• Very good oral and written communication skills in English with experience presenting and concisely communicating complex information to all levels of an organization, knowledge of German is a plus 

Ready to contact us? 
 
If you have any questions about the job posting or process - please contact our HR Direct Team, Tel: +49 (0) 6132 77-3330 or via mail: hr.de@boehringer-ingelheim.com
 
Recruitment process:
Step 1: Step 1: Online application - The job posting is presumably online until July 25th, 2025. We reserve the right to take the posting offline beforehand. Applications up to July 16th, 2025 are guaranteed to be considered.
Step 2: Virtual meeting in the period from late July till early August 2025
Step 3: On-site interviews on August 25th and 26th, 2025
 
Please include the following documents when applying for this position: CV 

Please submit your application documents in English.