THE COMPANY
89bio is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of innovative therapies for the treatment of liver and cardio-metabolic diseases. The company's lead product candidate, pegozafermin (BIO89-100), is a specifically engineered glycoPEGylated analog of FGF21. Pegozafermin is being developed for the treatment of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) and severe hypertriglyceridemia (SHTG).
THE ROLE
Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, the Senior Director, Corporate Counsel will be responsible for providing general corporate legal and compliance guidance and support to the organization and managing outside corporate and patent counsel in collaboration with the Chief Operating Officer. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in biotechnology, be highly collaborative, and possess a deep understanding of the legal landscape in the life sciences industry.
THE RESPONSIBILITIES
SEC Reporting and Compliance: Collaborate with Finance, the C-Suite and outside counsel in the preparation and filing of annual and quarterly reports (10-K, 10-Q), current reports (8-K), proxy statements, Section 16 filings and other securities law filings. Advise on disclosure matters and securities law compliance.
Contract Management Processes: Collaborate across the company to improve the contracts process and establish a contract management system. Continuously improve the company’s contract templates. Leverage and manage outside contracts counsel with respect to the drafting, review and negotiation of contracts. Collaborate with outside contracts counsel to adjudicate negotiation and risk management issues.
Business Development and Transactions: Support the company’s business development initiatives and transactions by drafting, reviewing, and negotiating, including in collaboration with outside counsel, a wide range of agreements and related documents, including collaboration, license, manufacturing and research agreements, and other transaction-related agreements and documents. Undertake, support and help coordinate due diligence review processes for transactions. Work with the COO, C-Suite and other company teams on deal structuring and post-transaction transition, integration and support matters.
Financing Support: Provide legal support for equity, debt and other financing transactions in collaboration with the C-Suite, Finance, other functions across the company and outside counsel, including with respect to preparing and reviewing transaction-related documents and filings and due diligence support.
Corporate Governance: Provide legal support for corporate governance matters, including with the Board of Directors and its committees, and advise on corporate governance best practices.
General Advice and Compliance: Provide advice on general legal matters as they arise.Collaborate with and provide counsel to functional groups and employees to enhance the company’s compliance culture and infrastructure, including by drafting and implementing policies from time to time, improving existing policies, including as legal requirements or the company’s operations change, and developing and providing training from time to time.
Management of Outside IP Counsel: In collaboration with the COO, provide oversight and management of the company’s outside IP counsel. Coordinate cross-functionally and with outside counsel to facilitate the prosecution and maintenance of the company’s patent portfolio and protect and leverage the company’s IP assets.
THE QUALIFICATIONS
- Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an accredited law school and admission to at least one state bar.
- 10 or more years of legal experience, including experience in a law firm and in-house legal department in the life sciences industry.
- Significant experience with SEC reporting and public company corporate governance.
- Strong contract drafting and negotiating skills, including with respect to license and collaboration, manufacturing and clinical trial related agreements.
- Working knowledge of intellectual property law, particularly as it relates to biotechnology products.
- Strong understanding of the regulatory and compliance requirements applicable to drug development companies, ideally with experience guiding a company as it transitions from the drug development to commercial stage.
- Excellent analytical, negotiation, and drafting skills, with a keen attention to detail.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build relationships and work effectively across all levels of the organization.
- Highly collaborative.
- Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects and priorities simultaneously while delivering high-quality work.
SALARY & LEVEL
89bio considers a range of factors when determining the salary and level. These considerations mean actual salary and level may vary. The salary range for this position is $242,500 – $267,800 and will be commensurate with experience.
THE PERKS
- Competitive health insurance coverage
- Generous PTO allowance
- 401k match
- Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP)
- Commuter Benefits
- Women's forum / mentoring
- Office based in the heart of San Francisco, near plenty of shops and restaurants
- Fun opportunities to engage with co-workers in-person and remotely
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, sex, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, or based on disability. Proof of Covid vaccination is a condition of employment.
Notice to Recruiters: To protect the interest of all parties, 89bio does not accept unsolicited resumes and we ask that employees, hiring managers and executives not be contacted directly. All recruitment is managed through the 89bio Talent Acquisition Team.