Dr. Murray Spruill has combined his scientific background with extensive legal expertise to provide high-quality, patent-related legal services for his clients. Dr. Spruill is the co-leader of the firms’ Intellectual Property Patent Group and the leader of the Biotechnology, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Team. He is a thought leader and frequent author/speaker on topics dealing with biotechnology and pharmaceutical patent law and serves as co-leader of the firm's Life Sciences Task Force.
Dr. Spruill's scientific expertise includes genetics, cellular and molecular biology, biochemistry, immunology, pharmaceuticals and small molecule therapeutics. He uses this expertise in providing services relating to all areas of patent law, including patent drafting and prosecution, general patent counseling and strategic planning, patentability, freedom-to-operate opinions, validity and non-infringement opinions and licensing. His clients include large corporations, mid-sized companies, small start-ups, universities and research institutions. Dr. Spruill is listed in Best Lawyers in America in the areas of Intellectual Property and Biotechnology Law. In 2011, he earned the Raleigh-Durham Area Lawyer of the Year Award in Biotechnology Law.
- Counsel to leading biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies, providing intellectual property strategy, freedom-to-operate opinions, and validity and non-infringement opinions for their developing products.
- Counsel to a world leading seed company, developing patent portfolios around genetically modified products.
- Instrumental in securing financing ranging from $20 million to $50 million for biotechnology and pharmaceutical clients by developing their patent portfolios and intellectual property strategies and by responding to due diligence requests from investors.
- Successfully represented clients in interference proceedings before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
- Performs due diligence analysis for pharmaceutical and agricultural companies for products in different stages of development.
- Successfully opposed issued European patents.
- Successfully defended client's patents, covering a product with annual revenues over a billion dollars in reexamination proceedings.
- Built strong patent portfolios for companies involved in gene discovery and diagnostics, which contributed to successful buy-outs of the companies.
-
September 12, 2011
In The Press
-
August 30, 2010
In The Press
-
January 21, 2009
In The Press
-
17 September 2007
In The Press
-
26 January 2007
In The Press
-
"Proposed Rule Changes by U.S. Patent and Trademark Office Would Negatively Impact Patent Applicants," IPFrontline.com, July 27, 2006.
July 2006
-
"Proposed Rule Changes by U.S. Patent and Trademark Office Would Negatively Impact Patent Applicants," LocalTechWire Guest Opinion, July 13, 2006.
July 2006
-
"More Work, More Expense Loom if Patent Reforms Pass," Triangle Business Journal, May 19, 2006.
May 2006
-
"Navigating the Patent Office: Knowledge Makes Process Easier," LocalTechWire Guest Opinion, March 9, 2006.
March 2006
-
"Knowing the Difference Between Inventorship and Authorship," LocalTechWire Guest Opinion, January 5, 2006.
January 2006
-
"Case Highlights Differing Enablement Standards," The National Law Journal, January 2006.
January 2006
-
1 May 2005
Publications
-
"Strategies for Extending the Life of Patents," BioPharm International 18, March 2005.
March 2005
-
"Following Festo," Bio-IT World 3, November 2004.
November 2004
-
August 2004
-
"Collaborative Research Presents Special Problems for Patent Seekers," Nature Biotechnology 22, July 2004.
July 2004
-
"Recent Decisions of the Board of Patent Appeals and Interferences in Biotechnology Cases," IPL Newsletter 22, June 2004.
June 2004
-
"Patenting Plants and Plant Products," Nature Encyclopedia of Life Sciences, 2004.
2004
-
"The PTO Fee Modernization Act: Is It Good for the Biotechnology Industry?" BNA Patent, Trademark & Copyright Journal 67, 2004.
2004
-
"Strengthening the Harbor Walls," Current Drug Discovery, November 2003.
November 2003
-
"Hatch-Waxman Reform Bills Would Encourage Speculative Challenges of Patents by Generic Drug Makers," LocalTechWire Guest Opinion, September 2, 2003.
September 2003
-
"Bill Calls for Restrictions in Copyrights to Some Scientific Publications," LocalTechWire Guest Opinion, July 29, 2003.
July 2003
-
"Basic Science in U.S. Universities Can Infringe Patents," The Scientist, 17, March 2003.
March 2003
-
"The Uncertain Safe Harbor," Current Drug Discovery, February 2003.
February 2003
-
"The Doctrine of Equivalents After Festo: A Disparate Impact on Biotechnological Inventions?" Stanford Technology Law Review 2, 2003.
2003
Past Events
-
April 19-21, 2010
Seminar
-
November 5, 2009
Seminar
-
January 16-17, 2008
Seminar
-
May 14-15, 2007
Seminar
-
April 11, 2007
Seminar
-
January 23, 2007
Seminar
-
April 9-12, 2006
Seminar
-
June 19-22, 2005
Seminar
-
June 7-9, 2004
Seminar
-
June 22-25, 2003
Seminar
- Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO)
- Amercian Intellectual Property Law Association (AIPLA)