Alembic Pharmaceuticals is seeking Medicinal Chemistry Lead to spearhead our small-molecule and peptide drug discovery programs. This is a high-impact leadership role with end-to-end responsibility—from target ideation to clinical candidate nomination—shaping Alembic’s next- generation therapeutic pipeline.
Post: Intellectual Property Scientist / IP Lead - Drug Discovery
About the Role
Alembic Pharmaceuticals is seeking an experienced and strategically minded Intellectual Property (IP) Scientist to build and strengthen the organization's discovery-focused intellectual property capability. This role will work closely with Medicinal Chemistry, Biology, DMPK, Translational Sciences, and external patent counsel to identify, protect, and maximize the value of innovations emerging from drug discovery and development programs.
The ideal candidate combines deep scientific understanding of pharmaceutical research with strong expertise in patent drafting, claim strategy, novelty/patentability assessment, freedom-to-operate analysis, and lifecycle management. The individual will play a critical role in transforming scientific discoveries into robust intellectual property assets that support Alembic's long-term innovation and portfolio growth objectives.
This role offers a unique opportunity to contribute to discovery programs in India while actively bridging into the U.S. biotech ecosystem, collaborating with global scientific partners to help deliver transformational medicines. In this position, you will not only shape the intellectual property strategy of innovative therapeutic programs but also work at the intersection of science, innovation, and business to create sustainable competitive advantage.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Intellectual Property Strategy & Patentability Assessment
• Conduct novelty, patentability, and prior-art searches using scientific and patent databases.
• Evaluate inventions arising from discovery and development programs, including compounds, formulations, biologics, targets, and technologies.
• Assess patentability, inventive step, industrial applicability, and associated risks.
• Prepare invention assessments, novelty reports, and strategic filing recommendations.
• Review ELNs, scientific reports, SAR data, biological evaluation reports, presentations, and project documentation to develop complete patent specifications.
• Collaborate with project teams to identify and protect innovative research outcomes.
Patent Drafting & Prosecution Support
• Draft and review pharmaceutical patent applications, specifications, and claim sets.
• Develop robust claim strategies including composition of matter, formulations, processes, polymorphs, salts, metabolites, intermediates, and therapeutic use claims.
• Prepare broad Markush claims and appropriate fallback positions to maximize patent protection.
• Work with external patent attorneys on filings, prosecution, office action responses, oppositions, and global portfolio management.
• Support inventors in generating scientific data necessary for strong patent filings.
Freedom-to-Operate & Competitive Intelligence
• Perform Freedom-to-Operate (FTO) assessments for discovery and development programs.
• Identify patent barriers, infringement risks, and third-party rights.
• Recommend design-around options and risk mitigation strategies.
• Conduct patent landscape analyses and monitor competitor activities, competitive intelligence reports, research trends, and emerging technologies.
Lifecycle Management & Portfolio Development
• Identify IP opportunities related to drug repurposing, new indications, differentiated formulations, fixed-dose combinations, dosage regimens, and alternative delivery technologies.
• Support lifecycle management and differentiated product strategies, including 505(b)(2)-type strategies where applicable.
• Manage patent portfolios across multiple jurisdictions and monitor prosecution activities, deadlines, grants, and annuities.
• Recommend continuation, divisional, follow-on, and lifecycle extension strategies.
• Utilize AI-enabled patent analytics and digital tools to improve efficiency and knowledge management.
QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE
• M.Sc. (Organic Chemistry/Medicinal Chemistry), M.Pharm. (Medicinal Chemistry), or related discipline with 7-12 years of relevant experience in pharmaceutical intellectual property, patent drafting, patent analytics, or drug discovery support.
• Postgraduate qualification in Patent Law, Intellectual Property Rights, or Intellectual Property Management is a must.
• Ph.D. in Medicinal Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chemical Biology, or a related discipline is desirable.
• Demonstrated experience in pharmaceutical patent drafting and Markush claim preparation.
• Strong understanding of drug discovery workflows, medicinal chemistry, SAR, and pharmaceutical product development.
• Experience in patentability assessments, FTO evaluations, patent landscaping, and portfolio management.
• Exposure to drug repurposing, differentiated product development, 505(b)2 pathways and lifecycle management strategies will be an advantage.
TECHNICAL COMPETENCIES
• Patent drafting and claim strategy development
• Novelty, patentability, and prior-art assessment
• Freedom-to-Operate (FTO) analysis
• Patent landscape analysis and competitive intelligence
• Portfolio management and prosecution support
• Medicinal chemistry and SAR interpretation
• Scientific literature analysis
• Lifecycle management and differentiated product IP strategy
• AI-enabled patent research and analytics tools
DATABASE PROFICIENCY
Hands-on experience with: SciFinder; STN; Reaxys; Orbit Intelligence; or similar patent intelligence platforms will be an advantage.
PREFERRED CANDIDATE PROFILE
• Strong understanding of pharmaceutical discovery research and innovation strategy.
• Proven expertise in pharmaceutical patent drafting and claim development.
• Ability to translate scientific findings into commercially valuable intellectual property.
• Strong analytical, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
• Technology-oriented, AI-savvy, and capable of working independently in a dynamic research environment.
• Collaborative mindset with the ability to effectively partner with multidisciplinary discovery teams.
Location: Vadodara, India | Full-time | On-site
Reporting to: Head – IP Department
Title and compensation are commensurate with experience
Apply/Refer: drugdiscoverycareer@alembic.co.in
See All B.Pharm Alerts M.Pharm Alerts M.Sc Alerts Ph.D Alerts
See All Other Jobs in our Database
Subscribe to Pharmatutor Job Alerts by Email
