Associate Director- Patent Agent

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 committed to creating medicines that make life better for people around the world. We are looking to add to our team a member who will contribute to our success and growth. Ideally, the successful candidate will have technical expertise in industry with an understanding of pharmaceutical research. Are you a skilled, licensed patent agent ready to join a phenomenal company? Bring your talents to Lilly and contribute to our mission of bringing life-changing therapies to our communities around the world!

The experienced patent agent is focused on providing strategic input for issues facing Lilly in the discovery, development, and commercialization of pharmaceutical products. This position reports to Associate VP-Assistant General Patent Counsel in the Diabetes therapeutic area and requires close collaboration with other members of the Lilly Legal Patent team and business leadership. This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced patent agent energized by working in a dynamic environment with broad responsibility.

Responsibilities

• Draft and prosecute pharmaceutical patent applications in all jurisdictions, collaboratively with the responsible attorney and consistent with strategy, primarily related to small molecules and peptides in accordance with business requirements, patent laws, and Lilly policies and procedures.
• Work closely with patent attorneys, analyze risks, develop sound tactical approaches/solutions, and implement the patent strategy with appropriate consideration of business objectives and the environment.
• In collaboration with attorneys, engage and contribute to the overall strategy established through departmental guidance forums related to patent procurement or litigation strategies.
• Lead with a constant improvement approach by remaining proficient in global patent 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.
• Contribute to efficiency, collegiality, and collaboration.

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 pharmaceutical products, preferably small molecule.
• Two or more years of experience as a patent agent in a law firm or industry.
• Presently licensed, registered and in good standing with the USPTO; no disciplinary issues on record.
• 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 management across all levels of the organization.
• Experience in the pharmaceutical industry particularly 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.
• Experience preparing and prosecuting patent applications relating to small molecules and peptides.
• Innovative and proactively identifies opportunities looking for new, creative solutions.
• Ability to influence and lead boldly in a compelling environment with excellent verbal and written communication skills
• High learning agility, including creatively solving problems; having the ability to deal with complexity; commitment to expand knowledge and adapt to a changing environment; and the ability to make the complex understandable.
• Demonstrated ability to appropriately handle confidential information.

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 ( Lilly_Recruiting_Compliance@lists.lilly.com ) 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.

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