Sr. Director - Patent Counsel - Genetic Medicines

Lilly • Indianapolis, IN

1d • Onsite

About The Position

Lilly is a global healthcare leader headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana, dedicated to discovering and bringing life-changing medicines to people worldwide. The company, with nearly 150 years of history, focuses on harnessing biotechnology, chemistry, and genetic medicine to solve significant health challenges. Lilly is seeking an experienced patent attorney to provide solutions-oriented counseling for issues in the discovery, development, and commercialization of pharmaceutical products within the gene therapy and gene editing space. This position reports to the Associate VP – Assistant General Patent Counsel in the Genetic Medicine area and requires close collaboration with the Lilly Legal Patent team and business leadership. It is ideal for patent attorneys who thrive in a dynamic environment with broad responsibility.

Requirements

• 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 genetic medicine products such as gene therapies and gene editing based therapies, cell therapies, RNA therapies, and therapeutic oligonucleotides (e.g., siRNAs and antisense oligonucleotides).
• Doctor of Jurisprudence (J.D.)
• Four or more years of post-JD experience as a patent attorney in a law firm or industry.
• Licensed to practice law in at least one of the 50 States and licensed to represent clients in patent matters before the USPTO
• Qualified applicants must be authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. Lilly will not provide support for or sponsor work authorization or visas for this role, including but not limited to: F-1 CPT, F-1 OPT, F-1 STEM OPT, J-1, H-1B, TN, O-1, E-3, H-1B1, or L-1.
• At least 4 years of technical experience in the pharmaceutical industry in a scientific position in drug discovery or development, or demonstrated considerable experience with and knowledge of drug discovery and development, and/or with patent litigation relating to pharmaceutical products.
• At least 4 years of experience preparing and prosecuting patent applications relating to life science inventions.

Nice To Haves

• Collaborative partner with the ability to work effectively with team members and members of management across all levels of the organization.
• 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; 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 having the ability to make the sophisticated understandable.
• Sensitivity to others; composure under stress; ability to quickly learn and adapt.
• Ability to organize, to multi-task effectively, to satisfactorily complete projects with deadlines on time, to handle a large volume of work,and to direct others.
• Effective as individual contributor, team member, and leader.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Draft and prosecute globally patent applications, primarily related to genetic medicines such as gene therapies and gene editing based therapies, cell therapies, RNA therapies, and therapeutic oligonucleotides (e.g., siRNAs and antisense oligonucleotides), in accordance with business requirements, patent laws, and Lilly policies and procedures.
• Participate and contribute to overall patent portfolio strategy established through departmental mentorship forums related to patent procurement or litigation strategies.
• Analyze risks and develop sound tactical strategies/approaches/solutions with appropriate consideration of business objectives and the environment.
• Advise teams and senior management about exclusivity, freedom to operate, contract management, and litigation risks consistent with the law, ethics, and Lilly policies; communicate advice in a manner understandable to a lay person.
• Applies a continous 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 a variety of projects; supply to the implementation of new policies and procedures; lead task-directed teams; adopt efficient but prudent use of AI to improve daily work product.
• Contribute to efficiency, collegiality, and collaboration.

Benefits

• company bonus (depending, in part, on company and individual performance)
• company-sponsored 401(k)
• pension
• vacation benefits
• eligibility for medical, dental, vision and prescription drug benefits
• flexible benefits (e.g., healthcare and/or dependent day care flexible spending accounts)
• life insurance and death benefits
• certain time off and leave of absence benefits
• well-being benefits (e.g., employee assistance program, fitness benefits, and employee clubs and activities)

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees