Legal Partner, R&D Transactions

Legal Partner, R&D Transactions

Do you want to be part of an inclusive team that works to develop innovative therapies for patients? Every day, we are driven to develop and deliver innovative and effective new medicines to patients and physicians.  If you want to be part of this exciting work, you belong at Astellas!

Astellas Pharma Inc. is a pharmaceutical company conducting business in more than 70 countries around the world. We are committed to turning innovative science into medical solutions that bring value and hope to patients and their families. Keeping our focus on addressing unmet medical needs and conducting our business with ethics and integrity enables us to improve the health of people throughout the world. For more information on Astellas, please visit our website at www.astellas.com.

This position is based in Northbrook, Illinois. Hybrid work from certain states may be permitted in accordance with Astellas’ Responsible Flexibility Guidelines. Candidates interested in hybrid work are encouraged to apply. 

Purpose:

The Legal Partner, R&D Transactions is responsible for providing legal support and legal services in relation to certain R&D legal transactions of the Research, Technology and Manufacturing (T&M), Development, Medical Affairs, and Rx+ functions.  The position holder also provides legal support and advice for other functions where required.

Essential Job Responsibilities:

• Providing practical, timely, proactive, strategic, high quality legal services for the Research, T&M, Development, Medical Affairs, and Rx+ functions on R&D transactional matters taking into account the global objectives of the organization and the unique and varying global, local and regional legal and regulatory requirements in a risk-balanced manner in order to effectively minimize and mitigate risk
• Providing legal and strategic support for a broad range of R&D transactions for Research and managing the strategic drafting, negotiating, and consummating a broad range of complex agreements in support of Research, including research collaborations and alliances, consortiums, sponsored research, material transfers, research licenses, HTS library exchange, consulting services, research services, CRO services, advisory boards and councils, data sharing and data licensing, investigator-initiated studies, regulatory and quality agreements
• Providing legal and strategic support for a broad range of R&D transactions for T&M, including supply agreements, manufacturing contracts, collaborations, service agreements, and other contracts. This may include but is not limited to support to business clients on (i) contract drafting and negotiations with potential business partners and collaborators and (ii) strategic projects and key initiatives of the T&M function
• Providing legal and strategic support for a broad range of R&D transactions for Development and managing the strategic drafting, negotiating, and consummating of a broad range of complex agreements in support of Development, including agreements for clinical trials, assay development, companion diagnostics, expanded access, compassionate use, patient recruitment, informed consents, non-interventional studies, sponsorships and grants, advisory boards, data sharing and data licensing, investigator-initiated trials, and regulatory, quality, and pharmacovigilance agreements
• Providing legal and strategic support for a broad range of transactions for Medical Affairs and managing the strategic drafting, negotiating, and consummating of a broad range of complex agreements in support of Medical Affairs, including investigator-sponsored research agreements and escalations related thereto, Astellas-sponsored medical affairs study agreements, collaborative research, and CRADAs
• Providing legal and strategic support for a broad range of transactions for Rx+ and managing the strategic drafting, negotiating, and consummating of a broad range of complex agreements in support of Rx+ and medical devices, including consulting agreements, confidentiality agreements, service agreements, master services agreements, development agreements, and clinical trial agreements
• Providing updates to management and business clients on changes in legal developments affecting the pharmaceutical industry, especially in the research and development fields, and the innovative new technologies and coordinating with other leaders in the Legal Functional Unit, as may be appropriate
• Identifying, participating in, and contributing to contract enhancement initiatives for business clients, including by suggesting, preparing, and reviewing new templates of contracts, check lists, guidance, etc.
• Aligning, coordinating, and working closely with the members of the Legal Transactions Tower and other members of the Legal Functional Unit and the GC & CECO Division
• Retaining, supervising, and directing outside counsel effectively, and efficiently managing legal expenses consistent with approved global budget, coordinating closely with the Legal Team Lead, R&D Transactions
• Other projects as may be requested by the Legal Team Lead, R&D Transactions
• Overnight travel, including international travel, as needed

Qualifications Required:

• Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.), Juris Doctor (JD), Master of Laws (LL.M.) or equivalent
• At least 5-7 years of experience working in a law firm or pharmaceutical legal department

Preferred:

• Prior legal experience handling diverse and complex transactions for a company in the pharmaceutical, medical device, and/or biotechnology industry
• Science degree or background/experience in chemistry/biology is an advantage
• Understanding of the legal issues relating to pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and/or medical device businesses or affecting the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry. This may include understanding of patent, trademark or copyright licensing, joint research and development, regulatory processes for medical devices, over the counter drugs or prescription drugs, anti-kickback, fraud and abuse, and anti-bribery and anti-corruption
• Bar membership in state/jurisdiction of practice

Working Environment:

• At Astellas, we recognize the importance of work/life balance, and we are proud to offer a hybrid working solution allowing time to connect with colleagues at the office with the flexibility to also work from home. We believe this will optimize the most productive work environment for all employees to succeed and deliver. Hybrid work from certain locations may be permitted in accordance with Astellas’ Responsible Flexibility Guidelines

Salary Range: $157,500 - $247,500 (Final compensation will be determined based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to skills, experience and organizational equity considerations)

Benefits:

• Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance
• Generous Paid Time Off options, including Vacation and Sick time, plus national holidays including year-end shut down
• 401(k) match and annual company contribution
• Company paid life insurance
• Annual Corporate Bonus and Quarterly Sales Incentive for eligible positions
• Long Term Incentive Plan for eligible positions
• Company fleet vehicle for eligible positions
• Referral bonus program

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