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Role Description

Lilly is seeking a solutions-focused Patent Attorney role supporting the discovery, development, and commercialization of small molecule pharmaceutical products. This position reports to Associate VP – Assistant General Patent Counsel for Lilly’s Small Molecule area and requires close collaboration with scientists, other members of the Lilly Legal Patent team as well as business leadership.

Key Responsibilities

• Draft and prosecute globally pharmaceutical patent applications comprising large number of embodiments that are part of a complex IP strategy for small molecule therapeutics, in accordance with business requirements, patent laws, and Lilly policies and procedures.
• Participate and contribute to overall patent portfolio strategy established through departmental guidance 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 in a manner consistent with the law, ethics, and Lilly policies.
• Communicate advice in a manner understandable to a lay person.
• 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 opportunities within the team and organization.
• Prioritize and manage projects.
• Contribute to the implementation of new policies and procedures.
• Lead task-directed teams.
• Embrace efficient but prudent use of AI to improve daily work product. Contribute to efficiency, collegiality, and collaboration.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree (chemistry, medicinal chemistry, pharmacology or related), with a background strong enough to engage credibly with scientists and leadership on small molecule therapeutics.
• Juris Doctor (J.D.)
• Minimum 5 years post-JD experience as a patent attorney in a law firm or industry setting — with small molecule expertise.
• 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.

Requirements

• 5+ years of technical experience in pharmaceutical drug discovery or development and/or with patent litigation relating to pharmaceutical products.
• Proactive problem-solver who seeks creative, innovative solutions.
• High learning agility: curious, adaptable, open to feedback, able to make the complex understandable.
• Resilient under pressure; able to manage challenging priorities and deadlines.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to influence stakeholders.
• Able to adjust communication style to suit different audiences (technical and non-technical).

Additional Information

• Role located at Lilly (Louisville, CO) or Lilly Corporate Center (Indianapolis).
• Exceptional US remote candidates will be considered.
• Travel is usually not significant (0-5%), but travel could become more significant (10-20%) intermittently for internal/external requirements.
• Primarily supporting Lilly Research Labs globally, including sites in the US (Colorado and San Diego), Spain (Alcobendas) and Lilly Corporate Center (Indianapolis).

Benefits

• Actual compensation will depend on a candidate’s education, experience, skills, and geographic location. The anticipated wage for this position is $154,500 - $226,600.
• Full-time equivalent employees also will be eligible for a company bonus (depending, in part, on company and individual performance).
• Lilly offers a comprehensive benefit program to eligible employees, including eligibility to participate in a company-sponsored 401(k); pension; vacation benefits; eligibility for medical, dental, vision and prescription drug benefits; flexible benefits; life insurance and death benefits; certain time off and leave of absence benefits; and well-being benefits.