(Image source:southdelhipharma.com) Eli Lilly and Co (NYSE:LLY) shares are trading higher this morning after a judge upheld a key patent for the drug company. A U.S. District Judge in Indianapolis upheld the validity of Eli Lilly’s patent for the lung cancer drug Alimta. The court decision means that Alimta will be protected from generic drug competition until 2022. Sales of Alimta topped $2.7 billion last year.