Senior Director- Patent Counsel -AI Innovation

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 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.

Company Overview

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 39,000 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.

Open Position - Senior Director – Patent Counsel (AI innovation)

Lilly is looking for an experienced and strategic patent attorney with expertise in pharmaceutical sciences and AI-related molecular design technologies to develop, manage, and protect our IP portfolio of AI-facilitated pharmaceutical innovations. This role involves providing solutions-oriented advice on AI-related IP issues, including data issues arising from AI, collaborating closely with the Lilly Legal Patent team and business leadership, and reporting to Associate Vice President - Asst Gen Pat Counsel at Eli Lilly and Company

• Work closely with R&D teams, data scientists, and AI specialists to develop and implement IP strategies, identify patentable inventions, and ensure robust IP protection of AI-related innovations at Lilly
• Draft and prosecute patent applications related to AI-facilitated pharmaceutical innovation in all jurisdictions
• Analyze risks and develop sound tactical approaches/solutions on AI-facilitated innovation with appropriate consideration of business objectives and the environment.
• Advise teams and senior management about exclusivity, freedom to operate, due diligence, contract, licensing, and AI-specific risks consistent with the law, ethics, and Lilly policies; communicate advice in a manner understandable to a layperson.
• Take part and contribute to the overall strategy established through departmental guidance forums related to patent procurement or litigation strategies.
• Lead with a continuous improvement approach by remaining proficient in global AI-related IP laws in the pharmaceutical sector, 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.
• 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 peptides and biological products.
• Doctor of Jurisprudence (J.D.) degree from an accredited U.S. institution.
• Four years of post JD experience as a practicing attorney in a law firm or industry.
• Two 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.

Additional Skills/Preferences

• Collaborative partner capable of working effectively with team members and management across all levels of the organization.
• At least 2 years of experience preparing and prosecuting patent applications to AI-innovations and AI-facilitated innovation in life sciences.
• At least 4 years of technical experience in the pharmaceutical industry 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.
• Innovatively and proactively sees opportunities and looks for new, creative solutions.
• Ability to influence and lead boldly in a dynamic environment.
• High learning agility, including creatively solving problems; able 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; able to adjust style to audience; and having 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 timelines, and to advise others.
• Effective as an individual contributor, team member, and leader.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Additional Information

• Office work located at Lilly Corporate Center (Indianapolis). Travel is usually not significant (0-5%), but travel could become more significant (10-20%) intermittently for internal/external requirements.

Lilly is dedicated to helping individuals with disabilities to actively engage in the workforce, ensuring equal opportunities when vying for positions. If you require accommodation to submit a resume for a position at Lilly, please complete the accommodation request form (https://careers.lilly.com/us/en/workplace-accommodation) for further assistance. Please note this is for individuals to request an accommodation as part of the application process and any other correspondence will not receive a response.

Lilly is proud to be an EEO Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, religion, gender identity, sex, gender expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, ancestry, 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 are open to all employees. Our current groups include: Africa, Middle East, Central Asia Network, Black Employees at Lilly, Chinese Culture Network, Japanese International Leadership Network (JILN), Lilly India Network, Organization of Latinx at Lilly (OLA), PRIDE (LGBTQ+ Allies), Veterans Leadership Network (VLN), Women’s Initiative for Leading at Lilly (WILL), enAble (for people with disabilities). Learn more about all of our groups.

Actual compensation will depend on a candidate’s education, experience, skills, and geographic location.  The anticipated wage for this position is

Full-time equivalent employees also will be eligible for a company bonus (depending, in part, on company and individual performance). In addition, 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 (e.g., healthcare and/or dependent day care flexible spending accounts); life insurance and death benefits; certain time off and leave of absence benefits; and well-being benefits (e.g., employee assistance program, fitness benefits, and employee clubs and activities).Lilly reserves the right to amend, modify, or terminate its compensation and benefit programs in its sole discretion and Lilly’s compensation practices and guidelines will apply regarding the details of any promotion or transfer of Lilly employees.

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