Patent Information Manager , Medicines Patent Pool , Geneva, Switzerland

Medicines Patent Pool

Position: Patent Information Manager

Location:  Geneva, Switzerland

The Medicines Patent Pool (MPP) is an independent public health foundation based in Geneva, Switzerland, established with the support of UNITAID. The mission of the MPP is to increase access to medicines and technologies, for HIV, tuberculosis and hepatitis C, and facilitate development of better-adapted HIV medicines and technologies, such as fixed-dose combinations and special formulations for children, by creating a pool of relevant patents for sub-licensing and product development.

For more information, please see our website, www.medicinespatentpool.org

Main Duties/Responsibilities:

The Patent Information Manager will manage and further develop the MPP patent information database, undertake relevant analysis based on the data contained in the database and contribute to promoting and positioning it and the MPP in the public health field.

Responsibilities include:

·         Coordinating and managing the Medicines Patent Pool Patent Status Database.  This includes having overall responsibility for the database itself, collecting data, ensuring it is kept up-to-date, planning its further development, assisting users in interpreting data and promoting its use;

·         Overseeing and managing the expansion of the database, for example, to include possible new disease areas, information on licences and information on data exclusivity protection;

·         Strategically positioning the database and the MPP in broader public health debates on access to medicines and with key users;

·         Developing and managing collaborations and partnerships with national and regional patent offices, the World Intellectual Property Organization, the European Patent Office, regulatory agencies, and other relevant organizations;

·         Participating in meetings organized by external stakeholders to share MPP expertise on the IP/licensing status of different medicines and related issues;

·         Participating in the licensing work of the organization by collecting needed information and data and undertaking relevant analysis;

·         Preparing IP landscapes and other analytical work and making such analysis available via suitable publications, including in collaboration with partner organizations, such as UNITAID, the WHO, the Global Fund and UNAIDS;

·         Performing other duties as assigned by the Head of Policy and Executive Director. 

Knowledge/Qualifications

The Patent Information Manager should have:

·         Ability to search, interpret and analyze patent information;  

·         A sound understanding of pharmaceutical patents; 

·         Ability to read, understand and interpret patent licences; 

·         Good understanding of issues relating to access to medicines and intellectual property; 

·         An understanding of medicines used for the treatment of HIV, tuberculosis and/or hepatitis C would be desirable; 

·         Experience in working with databases and good IT skills; 

·         Excellent attention to detail; 

·         Professional writing and presentation skills.

Personal 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.

Education and special training:

Advance degree in law, public health, pharmacy or other field related to the job description.

Experience

At least 7 years experience working with patents and patent databases, preferably in the field of pharmaceuticals.

Use of Languages:

Fluency in written and spoken English is essential. Oral and written proficiency in a second language such as Spanish or French is an advantage.

MPPs Values

The MPP respects all individuals regardless of race, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion, HIV status or disability.

Please send a cover letter and C.V. to recruitment@medicinespatentpool.org by 27 November 2015.

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted