Senior Director- Patent Counsel

At Lilly, we unite caring with discovery to make life better for people around the world. We are a global healthcare leader headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana. Our 35,000 employees around the world work to discover and bring life-changing medicines to those who need them, improve the understanding and management of disease, and give back to our communities through philanthropy and volunteerism. We give our best effort to our work, and we put people first. We're looking for people who are determined to make life better for people around the world.

Lilly is seeking an experienced and strategic patent attorney passionate about providing solutions-minded advice and counseling for issues facing Lilly in the discovery, development, and commercialization of pharmaceutical products. The individual must be motivated by working in a dynamic environment with broad responsibility. This position reports to the Assistant General Patent Counsel with global responsibility for Lilly's Diabetes therapeutic area. It also requires close collaboration with other Lilly Legal Patent team members and business leadership.

Responsibilities

• Draft and prosecute pharmaceutical patent applications in all jurisdictions, primarily related to small peptides and biological molecules in diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular fields, in accordance with business requirements, patent laws, and Lilly policies and procedures.
• Analyze risks and develop sound tactical approaches/solutions with appropriate consideration of business objectives and the environment.
• Advise teams and senior management about exclusivity, freedom to operate, due diligence, contract, licensing, and litigation risks in a manner consistent with the law, ethics, and Lilly policies; communicate advice in a manner understandable to a layperson.
• Develop, coordinate, support, and, optionally, lead inter and ex parte challenges in all jurisdictions related to Lilly and/or third-party portfolios.
• Collaborate and contribute to overall strategy established through departmental guidance forums related to patent procurement or litigation strategies.
• Lead with a continuous improvement approach by remaining well versed in global laws, court precedents, and regulations pertinent to pharmaceutical products; apply knowledge appropriately in carrying out individual responsibilities as well as opportunities within the team and organization.
• Prioritize and manage projects; contribute to the implementation of new policies and procedures; lead task-directed teams.
• Contribute to efficiency, collegiality, and collaboration.

Do you have the scientific knowledge needed in order to protect Lilly's assets? Bring your scientific and legal expertise and make an impact to our patients today! We want you on our team.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher in a scientific field that together with prior work experience, provides sufficient background for effective communication with scientists and management about scientific aspects of discovery, development, and commercialization of peptides and biological products.
• Doctor of Jurisprudence (J.D.) degree from an accredited U.S. institution.
• Four or more years of post-JD experience as a patent attorney in a law firm or industry.
• Presently admitted to practice law in at least one US jurisdiction and currently licensed to represent clients in patent matters before the USPTO; in good standing in each state and in the USPTO; no discipline issues on record.

Additional Skills/Preferences

• Collaborative partner with the ability to work effectively with team members and members of management across all levels of the organization.
• 4 or more years of technical experience in the pharmaceutical industry in a scientific position in drug discovery or development or demonstrated significant experience with and knowledge of drug discovery and development, or with patent litigation relating to pharmaceutical products.
• Proven experience preparing and prosecuting patent applications relating to life science inventions.
• Innovatively and proactively finds opportunities and looks for new, creative solutions.
• Ability to influence and lead boldly in a dynamic environment.
• High learning agility, including creatively solving problems; ability to deal with complexity; having high curiosity; responding well to constructive feedback; seeking improvement of self and Lilly; accepting or leading change and helping others adapt to change; having the ability to adjust style to audience; and having the ability to make the complex understandable.
• Sensitivity to others; composure under stress; ability to quickly learn and adapt.
• Ability to organize self, to multi-task effectively, satisfactorily complete projects with deadlines on time, and direct others.
• Effective as an individual contributor, team member, and leader.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Additional Information

• Office work located at Lilly Corporate Center primarily supporting groups located at Lilly Corporate Center and Lilly Technology Center (Indianapolis) and Lilly Biotechnology Center (San Diego). Travel is usually not significant (0-5%), but travel could become more significant (10-20%) intermittently for internal/external requirements.

Eli Lilly and Company, Lilly USA, LLC and our wholly owned subsidiaries (collectively "Lilly") are committed to help individuals with disabilities to participate in the workforce and ensure equal opportunity to compete for jobs. If you require an accommodation to submit a resume for positions at Lilly, please email Lilly Human Resources ( [email protected] ) for further assistance. Please note This email address is intended for use only to request an accommodation as part of the application process. Any other correspondence will not receive a response.

Lilly is an EEO/Affirmative Action Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, protected veteran status, disability or any other legally protected status.

Our employee resource groups (ERGs) offer strong support networks for their members and help our company develop talented individuals for future leadership roles. Our current groups include: Africa, Middle East, Central Asia Network, African American Network, Chinese Culture Network, Early Career Professionals, Japanese International Leadership Network (JILN), Lilly India Network, Organization of Latinos at Lilly, PRIDE (LGBTQ + Allies), Veterans Leadership Network, Women's Network, Working and Living with Disabilities. Learn more about all of our groups.

#WeAreLilly