Associate VP-Assistant General Patent Counsel IP Procurement – Key Assets:

At Lilly, the work is demanding because patients are waiting. We unite caring with discovery to help make life better for people around the world, knowing that every decision, every detail, and every day matters. Headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana, our over 50,000 employees around the globe take on complex challenges to discover and deliver life-changing medicines, strengthen how health is understood and managed, and support the communities we serve. This is hard, urgent, selfless work—but it’s work worth doing. If you’re driven by purpose and ready to bring your best to work that truly matters for patients, we invite you to join us. 

Role Overview

Lilly is seeking an experienced and strategic patent attorney focused on providing solution-oriented advice and counselling for IP issues facing Lilly in development, commercialization, and discovery of pharmaceutical products.  This position requires close collaboration with other members of the Lilly Legal Patent team, project teams and business leadership. Individual must be energized by working in a dynamic environment with substantial responsibility for key assets.  This position reports to the Associate Vice President – IP Procurement and Strategy.  

Responsibilities

• Develop comprehensive global patent strategies for key pharmaceutical assets, including developing patent application filing strategies covering innovations from discovery, clinical development, manufacturing and beyond, drafting and prosecuting patent applications in all jurisdictions, and assessing freedom to operate. 
• Proactively analyze IP risks and develop sound strategic and tactical approaches/solutions with appropriate consideration of business objectives and competitive environment.
• Advise teams and senior management about exclusivity, patentability, freedom to operate, and risks in a manner consistent with the law, ethics, and Lilly policies; communicate advice in a clear and concise manner.
• Lead with a continuous improvement mindset 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 identifying opportunities within the team and organization.
• Prioritize, lead, and manage projects; contribute to the implementation of new policies and procedures; lead task-directed teams.
• Contribute to efficiency, collegiality, and collaboration.

Basic Qualifications:

• Doctor of Jurisprudence (J.D.) degree from an accredited U.S. institution.
• At least ten years of post-JD experience as a practicing patent attorney in a law firm or industry, with significant experience developing comprehensive patent strategies for pharmaceutical assets and significant patent prosecution experience.  Experience with patent enforcement a plus.
• 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.
• Bachelor’s degree or higher in a scientific field that, together with prior work experience, provides essential background for effective communication with scientists and management about the scientific aspects of discovery, development, manufacturing, and commercialization of pharmaceutical products, including small molecules, peptides, antibodies, conjugates, and genetic medicines.
• Qualified candidates must be legally authorized to be employed in the United States. Lilly does not anticipate providing sponsorship for employment visa status (e.g., H-1B or TN status) for this employment position.

Additional Skills/Preferences:

• Highly motivated and collaborative partner with the ability to work effectively with team members and members of management across all levels of the organization.
• Demonstrated leadership and effectiveness in working with senior leadership.  Ability to establish strong relationships with business partners and with research and development teams to further IP strategy aligned with business objectives.
• 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 pharmaceutical products.
• High learning agility; creative problem solver; ability to deal with complexity and make the complex understandable; high curiosity; continuous improvement of self and Lilly; accepting and leading change; agility to adapt and evolve.
• Ability to influence and lead boldly in a dynamic environment.
• Exceptional patent law acumen.
• Ability to organize, effectively work on and prioritize multiple com