Legal Associate P1

Ready to play a pivotal role in managing high-value European patent portfolios within the pharmaceutical industry?

Proclinical is seeking a Legal Associate to join a dynamic team in the UK, on a 12-month contract. This role focuses on providing specialized support for European patent processes within the pharmaceutical industry. You will play a key role in managing the full lifecycle of European patents, ensuring compliance with procedural requirements and internal policies.

Responsibilities

• Review and docket incoming European correspondence, ensuring deadlines and required actions are accurately recorded in the Anaqua system.
• Monitor EPO and internal deadlines across the European patent lifecycle, including prosecution, grant, opposition, and validation.
• Collaborate with internal patent attorneys and external European law firms to progress filings and related actions.
• Prepare and file documents via EPO Online Filing 2.0 and MyEPO, supporting oppositions and other EPO proceedings by preparing procedural documentation.
• Assist with Supplementary Protection Certificate (SPC) and Patent Term Extension (PTE) tracking and lifecycle management, as applicable.

Key Skills and Requirements

• Experience in a European patent paralegal or equivalent intellectual property (IP) support role.
• Familiarity with European Patent Office (EPO) procedural rules under the European Patent Convention (EPC).
• Knowledge of global patent landscapes, including United States, PCT, and national phase filings.
• Experience in the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry, with an understanding of the SPC-PTE process being advantageous.
• Proficiency in IP docketing systems, with experience in Anaqua being a plus.
• Skilled in using MyEPO and EPO Online Filing 2.0.
• Strong attention to detail, excellent reading comprehension, and proofreading skills.
• Ability to manage large IP portfolios in a fast-paced environment, prioritize competing deadlines, and escalate risks effectively.