--- title: 'Patent Agent (Oncology & Molecular Diagnostics) at Universal DX' canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/patent-agent-oncology-molecular-diagnostics-universal-dx-united-states-vs0xezfvcamd' type: 'job' last_seen: '2026-09-16' --- # Patent Agent (Oncology & Molecular Diagnostics) at Universal DX - **Company:** Universal DX - **Location:** United States - **Posted:** 2026-07-29 - **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-16 - **Apply:** https://www.universaldx.com/careers?gh_jid=4940587101#grnhse_app ## Job description About our Company: Universal DX, Inc. is an international Company with a highly experienced team focused on cracking cancer’s code. Through our multi-omics and bioinformatics models, we have figured out how to read the disease’s signals in blood with high accuracy to detect cancer in its earliest stages. Starting with a colorectal cancer screening liquid biopsy test, we are building a multi-cancer platform that can identify the unique DNA regions associated with different types of cancers. The Opportunity: Universal DX is seeking an experienced Patent Agent to join our IP team responsible for identifying, protecting, and managing the company's intellectual property related to molecular diagnostics, liquid biopsy, next-generation sequencing (NGS), automation, bioinformatics, and early cancer detection technologies. Working closely with scientists, engineers, software developers, and business leaders, the Patent Agent translates complex scientific innovations into high-quality patent applications and supports the development of a strategic global patent portfolio.The Patent Agent serves as a trusted advisor to research and development teams, providing guidance on patentability, freedom-to-operate, and intellectual property strategy while collaborating with outside patent counsel on domestic and international patent prosecution. You will be part of a team that is passionate about developing novel diagnostic tests for the early detection of cancers. As part of the team, you will be in a Company that aims more than to become one of the leaders in the industry. We want to have a huge positive impact on society by achieving the ambitious purpose of “making cancer a curable disease by detecting it earlier”. How you’ll contribute: Patent Preparation and Prosecution - Prepare, draft, and prosecute patent applications (US and international) covering molecular diagnostics, genomics, epigenetics, automation, software, and related technologies. - Conduct inventor interviews to identify patentable subject matter and accurately capture technical innovations. - Draft patent claims, specifications, figures, and responses to Office Actions. - Coordinate patent prosecution activities with outside counsel and foreign associates. - Manage continuation, divisional, continuation-in-part, and PCT filing strategies. Innovation Capture - Partner with Research & Development, Automation Engineering, Bioinformatics, Clinical Development, and Product Development teams to identify inventions throughout the product development lifecycle. - Facilitate invention disclosure meetings and evaluate new technologies for patentability and commercial value. - Educate inventors on intellectual property best practices and disclosure requirements. Patentability and Competitive Analysis - Conduct prior-art, patentability, and competitive landscape searches. - Support freedom-to-operate (FTO) analyses for new products and technologies. - Monitor competitor patent filings and emerging technology trends. - Prepare patent landscape reports to support strategic decision-making. Portfolio Management - Work with IP Manager in developing and maintaining a global patent portfolio aligned with corporate strategy. - Monitor patent prosecution timelines, maintenance fees, and filing deadlines. - Evaluate patent portfolios for strategic value and recommend filing priorities. Cross-Functional Collaboration - Collaborate with: o Research & Development o Automation Engineering o Bioinformatics o Clinical Affairs o Regulatory Affairs o Quality Assurance - Ensure intellectual property considerations are integrated into product development, publication planning, and commercialization activities. Business and Legal Support - Support licensing, technology transfer, and collaboration activities. - Assist with IP due diligence for partnerships, acquisitions, and investments. - Review scientific publications and presentations to identify potential patent filings prior to public disclosure. - Help protect trade secrets and confidential information What you’ll bring: - Advanced degree (M.S. or Ph.D. preferred) in Molecular Biology, Genetics, Genomics, Biochemistry, Biomedical Engineering, Chemistry, Bioinformatics, Computer Science, or a related scientific discipline - 3–8+ years of patent drafting and prosecution experience. - Experience preparing and prosecuting U.S. and international patent applications. - Experience working in biotechnology, molecular diagnostics, medical devices, genomics, or pharmaceuticals. - Experience collaborating with scientists and cross-functional product development teams. - Familiarity with patent databases and searching tools (e.g., PatSnap, Questel, Orbit, Derwent, Google Patents). What we'll offer: - 22 days of PTO with the possibility to carry over 10 days to the following year. - Company Holidays, plus your Birthday off! - Company-sponsored benefit plans, including medical, dental, and vision insurance plus life, STD, and LTD coverage, and 401(k). - Flexible work schedule - And more to come! Why Now? This is an exciting time to be at Universal DX. We are growing rapidly and starting our US operations by building up our team, starting our lab and business operations, and establishing strategic partnerships. We are looking for passionate changemakers to be a part of our journey in this expansive time for us. ## About Universal DX ## Company Overview - **One-liner**: Universal DX develops minimally-invasive, blood-based liquid biopsy tests for early cancer detection, starting with colorectal cancer screening. - **Entity Type**: Private (Series unknown; last known venture round in 2018, recent grant and EIB financing) - **Headquarters**: Sevilla, Spain (with offices in Madrid, Spain; Dallas, Texas, USA; and Ljubljana, Slovenia) - **Founded**: 2012 - **Founders**: Juan Martinez-Barea (Founder and Executive President) ## Core Business - **Primary industry**: Biotechnology / Diagnostics (liquid biopsy, early cancer detection) - **Target customers**: Healthcare providers, hospitals, clinical laboratories, and patients (B2B and B2C via screening programs) - **Mission**: “A future where cancer is curable” – by detecting cancer in its earliest stages when treatment is more effective and survival rates are high. ## Products & Services - **Signal‑C**: A blood‑based colorectal cancer screening test that detects cancer and advanced adenomas with 92% sensitivity and 94% specificity. It uses proprietary methylation markers and a machine‑learning algorithm to analyze a simple blood sample. The test is designed to be processed in standard reference laboratories and is intended for FDA approval and subsequent distribution through Quest Diagnostics. - **Cancer Platform (in development)**: A multi‑cancer platform that aims to detect multiple cancer types (prostate, liver, pancreatic, lung, breast, etc.) through a single blood draw, leveraging the same multi‑omics, computational biology approach. ## Market Standing - **Valuation**: Not publicly disclosed - **Key Metric**: Total funding of **$186.1 million** (as of early 2026, including a €20 million EIB loan in Feb 2025 and a $30 million grant in Jan 2026). Annual revenue is reported at **$4.3 million** (LinkedIn estimate). - **Notable Investors/Partners**: Quest Diagnostics (strategic collaboration for US commercialization), European Investment Bank (EIB), Innvierte (CDTI investment program). Clinical partners network of >100 hospitals across the US and Europe. - **Growth Signals**: - Over 14,000 samples collected from clinical studies. - Active clinical collaborations with more than 100 gastrointestinal teams. - Recent patent filings for pancreatic cancer detection methods. - Headcount of 105 employees (as of mid‑2026), with a monthly growth rate of +0.8%. - Presence in 6 countries (US, Spain, Slovenia, New Zealand, Netherlands, Italy). - 22,423 LinkedIn followers with +1.8% monthly growth. ## Competitive Advantages - **Proprietary multi‑omics platform**: Combines epigenomics, methylomics, and machine learning to “read” cancer’s signal in blood, enabling a single‑test, multi‑cancer approach. - **High accuracy for colorectal cancer**: Signal‑C shows 92% sensitivity and 94% specificity, competitive with leading stool‑based tests but with a simpler blood draw. - **Strategic partnership with Quest Diagnostics**: Once FDA‑approved, Signal‑C will be distributed through Quest’s national network, dramatically accelerating adoption and reimbursement. - **Strong clinical validation network**: Over 100 partner hospitals in the US and Europe, providing real‑world data and regulatory credibility. ## Strategic Focus - **FDA approval and commercialization**: The immediate priority is obtaining FDA approval for Signal‑C and launching it through the Quest Diagnostics partnership to capture a share of the US colorectal cancer screening market. - **Expanding the multi‑cancer platform**: Developing blood tests for other high‑burden cancers (pancreatic, liver, lung, breast) to eventually offer a single‑draw screening for >50% of new cancer cases. - **Strengthening the evidence base**: Continuing to present at major conferences (AACR, ASCO) and publish peer‑reviewed studies to support regulatory submissions and clinical uptake. ## Why Work Here - **Mission‑driven culture**: The company’s explicit goal is “making cancer a curable disease by detecting it earlier” – a compelling purpose that attracts talent passionate about healthcare impact. - **Flexible work environment**: Offers a flexible work schedule, remote work opportunities, and a “free day on your birthday.” Employees can also buy extra vacation days. - **Competitive perks**: Fair salaries, optional health insurance, parking incentives, free café amenities at office locations, and a healthy work environment. - **International team**: Offices in Spain (Sevilla, Madrid), the US (Dallas, TX), and Slovenia (Ljubljana). Workforce is split roughly 39% US, 39% Spain, with smaller teams in other countries. - **Open positions** (as of June 2026): 6 active roles including Lab Ops Technical Lead, IVD Scientist, Director of IT, RA Technical Writer, Senior Biostatistician, and Software Development Engineer in Test. (Note: the company’s own careers page may show different availability; LinkedIn lists 6 open positions.) - **Engineering & R&D focus**: 25% of employees are in Research, 17% in Technical roles, with a strong emphasis on data science, biostatistics, and software engineering. - **Talent sources**: Employees often come from leading oncology diagnostics firms (Exact Sciences, Guardant Health, Freenome, Resolution Bioscience), indicating a high‑caliber peer group. ## Sources 1. [universaldx.com](https://www.universaldx.com/) 2. [universaldx.com/about-us](https://www.universaldx.com/about-us) 3. [universaldx.com/careers](https://www.universaldx.com/careers) 4. [universaldx.com/contact](https://www.universaldx.com/contact) 5. [linkedin.com/company/universal-diagnostics-sa](https://www.linkedin.com/company/universal-diagnostics-sa/) ## Other roles at Universal DX - [Molecular Supervisor](https://feeny.ai/job/molecular-supervisor-universal-dx-dallas-dhmgsx79f4kt) — Dallas, TX - [Technical Writer, Product Development](https://feeny.ai/job/technical-writer-product-development-universal-dx-united-states-p0zw2jgwt4wc) — United States - [Principal NGS Automation Architect](https://feeny.ai/job/principal-ngs-automation-architect-universal-dx-united-states-n1s93d8hf90d) — United States