Lead Intellectual Property Counsel

Group Lead Intellectual Property Counsel Full-time Job Family: Legal, Compliance & Audit Sub Job Family: Intellectual Property Management Preferred type of working: Hybrid Years of Experience: 12 - 20 Business unit: NAG At Dr Reddy's "Good Health Can't Wait" By joining Dr Reddy’s, you will contribute to making the breakthroughs of tomorrow a reality today! From making medicines more affordable to discovering innovative treatment options to satisfy unmet medical needs, we are dedicated to helping people lead longer and healthier lives. We are seeking dynamic and energetic individuals ready to inspire, ready to make a difference for their community and every community. Diversity, Equity & Inclusion At Dr Reddy’s, we are deeply committed to building a diverse, equitable and inclusive workplace where everyone belongs and is valued for their contributions to the team. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the role and are open to exploring candidates with a less traditional background. We are seeking an accomplished and strategic Group Lead Intellectual Property Counsel for Dr.Reddy's North America business. This role will partner closely with cross‑functional leaders to design, direct, and execute robust IP strategies that protect and advance Dr. Reddy’s mission of providing affordable and innovative healthcare solutions. The Group Lead will play a pivotal role in guiding patent litigation strategy across North America (small and large molecules), overseeing the full IP life cycle from project identification to commercial launch. This position requires strong collaboration with Portfolio, R&D, Regulatory Affairs, Business Development, and external legal partners, and demands strong leadership capabilities, technical insight, and strategic foresight. Responsibilities Define and execute long‑term IP strategies to support business growth, competitive positioning, and risk mitigation Manage a docket of North America patent litigation matters, including ANDA/ANDS, 505(b)(2), biosimilar, and other Hatch-Waxman and BPCIA litigations Guide the development and implementation of legal claims, defenses, and litigation strategies, including management of external counsel Ensure freedom‑to‑operate (FTO) for Dr. Reddy’s products across APIs, synthetic routes, formulations, and polymorphs Supervise and guide drafting, prosecution, and maintenance of patent applications in coordination with R&D and global teams Lead IP due diligence for in‑licensing, partnerships, and other strategic collaborations Provide senior‑level IP input to commercial teams to support portfolio shaping, launch planning, and deal evaluations Act as a key partner to R&D, Regulatory Affairs, Portfolio, and Business Development teams to ensure alignment of IP strategy with scientific and business priorities Counsel internal partners on regulatory and patent law matters, exclusive frameworks, litigation risks, and launch pathway scenarios Qualifications Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school Licensed to practice in New Jersey or at least one U.S. state with eligibility for the New Jersey in‑house counsel license Registration to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) strongly preferred Bachelor’s or higher degree in Science or Engineering required; Chemistry, Biochemistry, or related disciplines preferred Advanced scientific degree (MS or PhD) highly desirable 12+ years of progressive experience in pharmaceutical patent law, including extensive Hatch‑Waxman and BPCIA litigation experience Prior experience leading teams or managing complex, multi‑stakeholder IP programs strongly preferred Demonstrated track record in developing and executing successful IP strategies in the generic, branded, or biosimilar pharmaceutical space Experience in IPR proceedings preferred Skills & attributes Deep expertise in patent litigation, prosecution, regulatory exclusivities, and pharmaceutical law Strong leadership presence with the ability to inspire teams and influence at senior level Highly strategic mindset with the ability to balance legal risk with business objectives Strong analytical, problem‑solving, and decision‑making skills Excellent communication and stakeholder‑management abilities High degree of independence, ownership, and professional judgment Incumbent must be a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident of U.S. or otherwise authorized to work in the U.S. without requiring visa transfer or sponsorship, now or in the future. Incumbents should be willing to work in person from our Princeton, NJ office. Dr.Reddy's Laboratories offers a competitive total rewards package including base salary determined on the basis of role, experience, skill set and location. Additionally, employees are eligible for an annual discretionary bonus, and benefits including comprehensive health care coverage, retirement savings plan and leave benefits. Additional details about total compensation and benefits will be provided during the hiring process. Our Work Culture Ask any employee at Dr. Reddy’s why they come to work every day and they’ll say, because Good Health Can’t Wait. This is our credo as well as the guiding principle behind all our actions. We see healthcare solutions not only as scientific formulations, but as a means to help patients lead healthier lives, and we’re always attuned to the new and the next to empower people to stay fit. And to do this, we foster a culture of empathy and dynamism. People are at the core of our journey over the last few decades. They have been supported by an enabling environment that buoys individual ability while fostering teamwork and shared success. We believe that when people with diverse skills are bound together by a common purpose and value system, they can make magic. Equal Opportunity Employer An Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against based on disability. #J-18808-Ljbffr