Senior Innovation Strategist

Azurity Pharmaceuticals, a specialty pharmaceutical company, focuses on innovative products that meet the needs of underserved patients.

As an industry leader in providing unique, accessible, and high-quality medications, Azurity leverages its integrated capabilities and vast partner network to continually expand its broad commercial product portfolio and robust late-stage pipeline.

The company's patient-centric products span the cardiovascular, neurology, endocrinology, gastro-intestinal, institutional, and orphan markets, benefiting millions of patients.

Azurity is proud to be an inclusive workplace and an Equal Opportunity Employer.

We seek highly motivated individuals with dedication, integrity, and creative spirit needed to thrive in our organization.

Job Summary:

Azurity Pharmaceuticals is seeking an experienced and seasoned Patent Professional to join the expanding Intellectual Property (IP) team.

This role is central to driving global product development and shaping IP strategies that align with Azurity's mission of delivering affordable, accessible healthcare solutions.

The ideal candidate will combine deep IP knowledge with business acumen, supporting cross-functional initiatives and managing the company's innovative formulations across key global markets.

Key Responsibilities:

• Manage the IP portfolio, including patents and trademarks, across multiple jurisdictions.
• Lead the development and execution of IP strategies aligned with R&D and commercial objectives.
• Conduct thorough IP due diligence to support product selection, licensing, M&A, and strategic partnerships.
• Oversee patent life cycle management, including drafting, filing, prosecution, opposition, maintenance, and strategic abandonment.
• Guide new product opportunity identification through an IP lens, enabling lifecycle extension and exclusivity strategies.

IP Analysis & Due Diligence:

• Perform prior art searches, patentability assessments, landscape analysis, and freedom-to-operate (FTO) evaluations.
• Analyze Orange Book-listed patents & Pending Patent Applications and develop IP strategies in compliance with regulatory and legal requirements.
• Generate risk assessment reports & provide IP clearances for proposed formulations, synthesis routes, polymorphs, and manufacturing processes.
• Analyze the IP to develop non-infringement and patent invalidation strategies, including prior art search and claim construction.
• Provide scientific and technical input to attorneys while responding to office actions.

Litigation & Regulatory Support:

• Provide strategic support to the Legal team on patent litigations, including IPR (Inter Partes Review) and PGR (Post-Grant Review) proceedings.
• Develop claim construction and invalidity arguments, leveraging prior art and technical literature.
• Monitor ongoing litigations, especially within the U.S., and assess potential business impact.

Cross-functional Collaboration:

• Collaborate with the R&D team to identify patentable inventions and formulate patentable strategies.
• Partner with the R&D team to identify opportunities for differentiated product filings, including 505(b)(2) and ANDA strategies.
• Engage with relevant stakeholders (R&D, Regulatory, Clinical & Legal teams) to define acceptable IP goals.
• Support the development of alternate or workaround strategies for blocking IP.
• Conduct literature reviews (patent and non-patent) to support R&D and IP analysis.

Market & Competitive Intelligence:

• Continuously monitor market trends, IP filings, and competitive developments through SEC filings, earnings calls, and public disclosures.
• Conduct whitespace analysis and technology mapping to identify new opportunities.

Education Requirements:

• Advanced degree in Pharmacy, Life Sciences, Chemistry, or related scientific discipline.

Preferred Skills & Attributes:

• Deep understanding of global patent systems and procedures (including Indian, US, EP, and PCT).
• Demonstrated expertise in patent analysis, drafting, prosecution, and litigation support.
• Exposure to P-IV litigations is highly desirable.
• Expertise in global IP law, with hands-on experience in patent filing, prosecution, and infringement/invalidity analysis.
• Strong command over FTO analysis, Orange Book navigation, and regulatory IP alignment (including 505(b)(2) applications).
• Excellent analytical, communication, and interpersonal skills with an ability to work effectively in cross-functional and global teams.
• Strong organizational and time management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities under tight deadlines.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a proactive mindset.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills for effective cross-functional collaboration.
• Demonstrated ability to influence and negotiate within multidisciplinary teams.
• Comfort working across multiple time zones and adapting to a dynamic, fast-paced environment.