Patent Information Manager
Location: Geneva, Switzerland
Working time: 100%
Contract: Permanent
The Medicines Patent Pool (MPP) is a United Nations-backed public health organisation working to increase access to, and facilitate the development of, life-saving medicines for low- and middle-income countries. Through its innovative business model, MPP partners with civil society, governments, international organisations, industry, patient groups, and other stakeholders, to prioritise and license needed medicines and pool intellectual property to encourage generic manufacture and the development of new formulations.
To date, MPP has signed agreements with 15 patent holders for 13 HIV antiretrovirals, one HIV technology platform, three hepatitis C direct-acting antivirals, a tuberculosis treatment, two long-acting technologies, two experimental oral antiviral treatments for COVID-19 and a COVID-19 serological antibody diagnostic test.
MPP was founded by Unitaid, which continues to be MPP’s main funder. MPP’s work on access to essential medicines is also funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC). MPP’s activities in COVID-19 are undertaken with the financial support of the Japanese Government, the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, and SDC.
To strengthen our Patent Information Team, we are looking for a Patent Information Manager to help manage and further develop MPP’s suite of patents and licenses databases on medicines MedsPaL, and on COVID-19 vaccines VaxPaL, referred hereafter as the MPP PALs, and undertake patent searches and patent analyses that are relevant to MPP’s work.
The Patent Information Manager reports to the Head of Patent Information.
Main Duties/Responsibilities:
Core responsibilities include:
- Identifying relevant patents on products (health technologies) that may be of interest to MPP for in-licensing, undertaking patent searches and analyses to inform decision-making at MPP, with a particular focus on biotherapeutics and vaccines.
- Supporting the identification of patents that may be relevant to the operations of WHO technology transfer initiatives for COVID-19 vaccines, including the mRNA technology transfer hub.
- Contributing to the management of MPP PaLs, including data collection, input, updating, and assisting users in interpreting data.
- Assisting with the design, planning and implementation of MPP PALs further developments.
- Promoting the use of MedsPaL and VaxPaL among potential user groups including public health organisations, governments, patent agents/attorneys, pharmaceutical companies, civil society, and patient groups.
- Working with the rest of the policy team to further develop collaborations with national and regional patent offices, the World Intellectual Property Organization, regulatory agencies, and other relevant organisations from which data needs to be gathered for the development of MedsPal.
- Participating in meetings organised by external stakeholders to share MPP expertise on the IP/licensing status of different medicines and related issues.
- Preparing IP landscapes and other analytical work, as needed, and making such analysis available via suitable publications, including in collaboration with partner organisations.
- Work with the Patent Information Manager and other workstreams to establish/develop a patent monitoring and watching system for selected health technologies as per MPP’s mandate.
- Performing other duties as assigned by the Head of Patent Information.
Knowledge/Qualifications:
The Patent Information Manager should have:
- Ability to search, interpret and analyse patent information.
- Ability to interpret patent claims on pharmaceuticals (particularly in relation to biotherapeutics and vaccines) and to identify relevant patents for a given pharmaceutical technology.
- Ability to read, understand and interpret patent licences.
- Experience in working with databases and good IT skills.
- Excellent attention to detail.
- Professional writing and presentation skills.
Education and special training:
- Advance degree in chemistry, biotechnology, pharmaceutical sciences, or other relevant fields.
- Training on patents would also be important for this position.
Experience:
- At least 5 years of experience working with patents and patent databases, preferably in the field of pharmaceuticals.
Languages:
- Fluency in written and spoken English is mandatory.
- Fluency in other official UN languages (French, Spanish, Arabic, Russia, Chinese) is a strong asset.
Personal Qualities:
MPP’s richness lies in its staff: a small dynamic and multicultural team!
To flourish in our team, you must recognise yourself in our values: Respect, Courage, Teamwork and Commitment.
Moreover, the Patent information Manager will need to demonstrate the following qualities:
- Organised, autonomous and able to work with short timelines.
- Collaborative and supportive approach to teamwork.
- Sensitivity to different cultures and work styles.
- Demonstrable personal commitment to the public health goals of the MPP.
MPP respects all individuals regardless of race, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion, HIV status or disability. All qualified applications are welcome.
If you recognise yourself in this description and wish to join our outstanding team, please send a cover letter and C.V. to geneva@alecallan.com including “ MPP_Patent and Information Manager” as reference in the subject line.
This position will be open until the right candidate is recruited. Applications will be reviewed and assessed on a continuous basis.