Gautam Prakash is the Associate Vice President for Intellectual Property Policy and Advocacy at Eli Lilly and Company. In this role he advocates for a robust IP system that protects biopharmaceutical innovation both domestically and internationally. Gautam has 25 years of IP experience. Prior to joining Eli Lilly, he was a patent examiner at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and an intellectual property advisor to various small business innovation programs at the National Institutes of Health. Before his government roles, he worked as a patent agent and patent attorney at several law firms. Gautam has a Master’s degree in Public Policy, a Ph.D. in Chemistry and Biochemistry, and a law degree.