Sr. Director-Patent Counsel - New Modalities

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, particularly siRNA, gene therapy, cell therapy therapeutics. The individual must be motivated by working in a dynamic environment with broad responsibility. This role requires close collaboration with other Lilly Legal Patent team members and business leadership.

The position exists within a highly efficient, collegial, and collaborative work environment. This role will draft and prosecute pharmaceutical patent applications in all jurisdictions in accordance with business requirements, patent laws and Lilly policies and procedures.

• Monitor, manage and assist in litigation and oppositions in all jurisdictions related to Lilly and third–party patent portfolios.
• Analyze risks with appropriate consideration of business objectives and the environment, and develop sound tactical approaches to providing solutions that are prudent, ethical, landscape–aware, and law–informed as described above.
• Advise teams and 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 the lay person.
• Remain well–versed in US and global laws, court precedents, and regulations pertinent to pharmaceutical products; apply knowledge appropriately in carrying out responsibilities.
• Prioritize and manage projects; contribute to the implementation of new policies and procedures; lead task–directed teams.
• Contribute to efficiency, collegiality, and collaboration. As needed, lead or participate in due diligence, licensing and inter partes matters.

Do you have an innovative mentality and desire to protect intellectual property? We want you on Lilly's team! Join the Lilly family today!

• Bachelor's degree or higher in a scientific field that together with prior work experience, provides sufficient background for effective interaction with scientists and management about scientific aspects of discovery, development, and commercialization of small molecule, and optionally, biological and peptide 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 presently 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.

• Collaborative partner with the ability to work effectively with team members and members of management across all levels of the organization.
• Innovative– proactively finds opportunities, and looks for new, creative solutions
• Ability to influence and lead boldly in a dynamic environment
• Proven 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, and/or with patent litigation relating to drugs.
• Experience preparing and prosecuting patent applications relating to biological, and optionally, small molecule and peptide pharmaceutical products.
• Strong Law School performance as evidenced by grades, achievements, and awards.
• High learning agility, including: creatively solving problems; having 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 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, to satisfactorily complete projects with deadlines on time, and to direct others.
• Effective as individual contributor, team member, and leader.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.

• Office work located at Lilly Corporate Center primarily supporting groups located at Lilly Corporate Center and Lilly Technology Center (Indianapolis), Lilly Biotechnology Center (San Diego), and Lilly New Jersey/New York.
• Travel is usually not significant (0–5%), but travel could become more significant (5–20%) intermittently for litigation or other 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 ( ) 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.