Patent Attorney

Your Role

Patent Attorney
As a Patent Attorney on our Global IP team, you will be a leading legal voice in intellectual property and innovation. This new role offers the opportunity to shape our IP strategy by handling a wide range of responsibilities, including innovation-led agreements, transactions, licensing, and enforcement matters. You will partner closely with professionals across our global legal team and other functions to protect and advance Elanco's mission.

Responsibilities

• Counsel internal business clients and negotiate with external entities on agreements, transactions, licensing, and enforcement matters to manage risk and achieve strategic goals.
• Draft and prosecute high-quality U.S. patent applications and manage the global patent portfolio by directing outside counsel to ensure alignment with business objectives.
• Conduct intellectual property due diligence, freedom-to-operate (FTO), and patent landscape assessments to guide R&D strategy and support business transactions.
• Review and advise on IP-related clauses and rights issues in a variety of agreements, such as manufacturing, supply, and vendor contracts.
• Foster a culture of IP awareness by educating and training R&D and business teams on intellectual property matters and monitoring competitor activity.

Requirements

• Education: Juris Doctor (or equivalent legal degree) and an undergraduate degree in a scientific field.
• Experience: A minimum of five to nine (5-9) years of experience providing legal counsel on IP matters at a major corporation or law firm.
• Professional Certification: Active admission to a state bar and registration to practice before the USPTO.
• Top Skills: Comprehensive knowledge of U.S. patent law and practice; Demonstrated ability to lead and succeed in cross-functional teams.

Preferred Qualifications

• An advanced degree (Ph.D. or M.S.) in chemistry, biochemistry, or a related life sciences field.
• Significant experience drafting and prosecuting patent applications for large and/or small molecule therapeutics.
• Previous in-house counsel experience, particularly within the animal health, human health, or crop science industry.
• Substantial experience with IP litigation, IPR, opposition proceedings, or M&A transactions.
• Strong business acumen and experience providing strategic legal guidance to senior management.