Sr. Director - Patent Counsel - Genetic Medicines

Eli Lilly Eli Lilly · Pharma · Boston, MA +1 · Remote

Experienced patent attorney needed to provide solutions-oriented counseling for patent issues in the discovery, development, and commercialization of pharmaceutical products in the gene therapy and gene editing space. Responsibilities include drafting and prosecuting global patent applications, contributing to patent portfolio strategy, analyzing risks, and advising on exclusivity, freedom to operate, and litigation risks. Requires a scientific bachelor's degree, JD, and at least four years of post-JD experience as a patent attorney.

What you'd actually do

  1. 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.
  2. Participate and contribute to overall patent portfolio strategy established through departmental mentorship forums related to patent procurement or litigation strategies.
  3. Analyze risks and develop sound tactical strategies/approaches/solutions with appropriate consideration of business objectives and the environment.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.

Skills

Required

  • Bachelor's degree or higher in a scientific field
  • Doctor of Jurisprudence (J.D.)
  • Four or more years of post-JD experience as a patent attorney
  • Licensed to practice law in at least one of the 50 States
  • Licensed to represent clients in patent matters before the USPTO

Nice to have

  • Collaborative partner
  • At least 4 years of technical experience in the pharmaceutical industry
  • At least 4 years of experience preparing and prosecuting patent applications relating to life science inventions
  • Innovatively and proactively finds opportunities
  • Ability to influence and lead boldly
  • High learning agility
  • Sensitivity to others
  • Composure under stress
  • Ability to organize, to multi-task effectively
  • Effective as individual contributor, team member, and leader
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills

What the JD emphasized

  • patent attorney
  • genetic medicines
  • gene therapy
  • gene editing
  • cell therapies
  • RNA therapies
  • therapeutic oligonucleotides
  • siRNAs
  • antisense oligonucleotides
  • pharmaceutical products