Business Development Counsel

Description:

Biogen is seeking an experienced Business Development Counsel with deep expertise in Biotechnology and pharmaceutical licensing and strategic collaborations to join its legal team. Reporting to the Chief Corporate Counsel, this role is based at Biogen’s headquarters in Cambridge, MA and serves as a critical legal partner to the company’s global business development organization. In this role, you will lead legal support for in‑licensing, out‑licensing, co‑development, collaboration, and other strategic alliance transactions that are central to Biogen’s pipeline growth and long‑term innovation strategy. You will play a hands‑on role in shaping deal strategy, structuring complex partnership models, and guiding transactions from early evaluation through execution and lifecycle management. Your work will directly influence Biogen’s ability to access external innovation and build high‑value partnerships across the biotechnology and pharmaceutical ecosystem.

What You’ll Do
 

• Lead legal diligence and structuring for pharmaceutical licensing, collaboration, and strategic partnership transactions, advising on deal architecture, value drivers, and risk allocation.
• Draft, review, and negotiate term sheets and definitive agreements, including license agreements, collaboration and co‑development agreements, option deals, alliance agreements, and related ancillary contracts.
• Serve as the primary legal advisor on business development transactions, supporting deal teams from initial evaluation through negotiation, execution, and post‑signing governance.
• Partner closely with Business Development, R&D, IP, Commercial, Finance, and Tax stakeholders to align transaction terms with scientific strategy, development plans, and commercialization objectives.
• Collaborate with IP counsel on intellectual property, exclusivity, improvements, and freedom‑to‑operate issues central to pharmaceutical licensing deals.
• Support internal governance processes, ensuring transactions align with Biogen’s strategic priorities, risk tolerance, and internal approval frameworks.
• Manage and oversee outside counsel on complex licensing and collaboration matters, ensuring efficiency, quality, and cost‑effective execution.
• Provide ongoing legal advice to internal teams on alliance management, contract interpretation, amendments, and dispute mitigation over the life of partnerships.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, and internal policies governing strategic collaborations and licensing activity.
   

Who You Are

You are a seasoned legal advisor with a strong reputation for excellence in pharmaceutical and biotechnology partnering transactions. You combine sound legal judgment with commercial insight and excel at navigating the intersection of science, business strategy, and risk management. You are comfortable working on complex, high‑value deals and are viewed by stakeholders as a trusted collaborator who enables innovation while safeguarding the company’s interests. You bring gravitas, clarity, and pragmatism to negotiations and thrive in a fast‑moving, matrixed environment.

Required Skills
 

• Minimum of 12 years’ experience in a leading law firm and/or in‑house legal department, with significant focus on life sciences transactions.
• Demonstrated expertise in biotechnology and pharmaceutical licensing, strategic collaborations, co‑development agreements, and alliance structures; M&A and venture experience a plus.
• Juris Doctor (JD) degree with active bar licensure.
• Strong ability to translate complex legal concepts into practical business advice for senior stakeholders.
• Proven judgment, negotiation skills, and executive‑level communication capabilities.
• Experience establishing effective legal processes and managing risk in high‑impact transactional environments.