Bryan Skelton, Ph.D.

• Synthesized numerous novel small molecule target compounds and further characterized the properties and pharmacological activity of many of those compounds. Designed and conducted synthesis of carbohydrate derivatives under a federal grant for use as tissue preservatives in organ harvesting and transplant.
• Represented Advaxis Inc., a biopharmaceutical company developing immunotherapies, in a clinical collaboration and licensing deal with Amgen Inc. for a preclinical candidate involving $65 million in upfront cash and equity investment with $475 million in development, regulatory and sales milestones and tiered royalties on net sales.
• During reexamination proceedings, defended four patents that cover a client’s pharmaceutical products, representing over $1 billion in sales annually.
• Conducted due diligence investigations for pharmaceutical clients seeking to acquire early- and late-stage drug candidates.
• Managed an emerging pharmaceutical company’s patent estate covering a small molecule drug candidate (now in clinical trials) and assisted in due diligence that attracted multimillion-dollar funding for the company.
• Developed patent strategies for international patent portfolios covering a range of technologies for large multinational corporations, startup pharmaceutical companies and biotech companies.
• Worked with in-house counsel and university technology transfer personnel on contract issues, including research collaboration and licensing agreements.

Bryan Skelton focuses his practice on advising pharmaceutical companies and research institutions on complex legal issues relating to the protection, enforcement and transfer of intellectual property. He has extensive experience in technologies directed to small molecule compounds, compositions and their delivery, and immunology, particularly vaccines and antibodies. His services include counseling clients on developing and implementing patent procurement and reexamination strategies, assisting clients with intellectual property valuations and licensing, conducting due diligence investigations of patent portfolios and preparing opinions on validity, noninfringement and freedom to operate. A significant portion of Bryan’s practice involves conducting due diligence investigations for clients in connection with acquisitions or investment funding. He also advises pharmaceutical and life sciences companies in various IP Litigation matters.

Bryan’s doctoral research in medicinal chemistry focused on designing and synthesizing novel nicotine-based molecules as ligands for nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, which have been implicated in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease.

His technical background provides a deep understanding of complex organic syntheses. He has extensive patent procurement experience in the areas of small molecules, polymers and composite materials.

Bar Admissions

• North Carolina
• Maryland
• U.S. Patent and Trademark Office

Education

• The George Washington University (J.D., 2006)
• University of Georgia (Ph.D., 2000)
• University of West Georgia (B.A., 1992)