Biotechnology & Pharmaceutical Patents
All of the members of the group hold doctoral degrees in diverse fields within the biological and chemical sciences and have extensive industry and research experience in areas that include genetics, functional genomics, cell and molecular biology, immunology, microbiology, enzymology, biochemistry, general and organic chemistry, botany, horticultural science, plant science, physiology, pharmacology and neuroscience.
EXPERIENCE
We provide a comprehensive range of services for both corporate and university clients, including patentability, validity, non-infringement and freedom-to-operate opinions, patent drafting and prosecution, due diligence analysis, development of business strategies and general client counseling. We have been involved in securing patent positions for new startup companies and in helping our clients navigate their potential products to market. We assist our clients in all aspects of licensing, from negotiations to drafting complex licensing agreements, including direct licenses and/or joint ventures.
ATTORNEY-SCIENTISTS
Our attorneys and patent agents have extensive technical experience gained from years of service in both industry and academia as research scientists, post-doctoral fellows and university faculty. In addition, our vast legal experience has been developed not only through our individual practices within Alston & Bird, but also through service as in-house counsel, through work within the Examining Corps of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, and through service as adjunct law school faculty.
RECOGNITION
Our attorneys have been included in publications spotlighting legal excellence including North Carolina Super Lawyers and The Best Lawyers in America. Members of the group are active in the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) and participants in BIO’s IP Counsel’s Committee. From 2003-2007, members from the group co-chaired and moderated panels on patent legislation for the BIO annual meetings that included members of the House Subcommittee on Courts, the Internet, and Intellectual Property of the House Judiciary Committee.
WHY ALSTON & BIRD?
Our attorneys and patent agents draw on their extensive scientific expertise to provide sophisticated legal services to our clients. This level of knowledge ensures a thorough understanding of our clients’ issues and challenges, both domestically and internationally.