Sterne Kessler Goldstein Fox

Two decades after we helped pioneer the biotechnology intellectual property practice, we have set our sights on BioNanotechnology as one of the most promising fields of the future.  Although biology is currently benefiting from a variety of technological developments, few may have the impact on basic research, drug development and clinical medicine as nanotechnology.  Building on our past experience, we are uniquely positioned to service those innovating in the interdisciplinary field of BioNanotechnology which includes molecular biology and genetics, chemistry, pharmaceuticals, materials science and bioengineering.

Our Technical Approach

We are able to bring together attorneys and technical specialists who have advanced training and expertise in the sciences underlying BioNanotechnology, such as:

• Molecular and cellular biology
• Materials science
• Surface and colloid chemistry
• Self-assembling structures
• Biomimetics
• Organic and inorganic chemistry
• Biotechnology 
• Drug delivery
• Biomedical engineering and medical devices
  

Emerging Industries: Securing and Leveraging a Strong Intellectual Property Portfolio

We have a long history of securing the IP rights within nascent industries such as biotechnology, bioinformatics and software.  Based on our experience, it is critical for companies in an emerging industry to secure strong intellectual property portfolios in a cost effective and expeditious manner.  Key issues that will confront companies in the BioNanotechnology area involve development and implementation of an intellectual property management plan, patent preparation and prosecution, technology transfer and interferences.  We have extensive experience assisting in these areas of fundamental importance.

We are recognized as skilled patent preparation and prosecution specialists.  At our core is the creation of valuable property rights through exceptional patent application drafting and prosecution.  We also have experience in due diligence reviews and opinion preparation.

The BioNanotechnology industry relies heavily on the transfer of federally-funded, university-made inventions to private industry.  The Bayh Dole Act, therefore, figures prominently in all areas of these transfers.  Our IP professionals have decades of experience in university-industry relations and licensing.  We assist with licensing-in groundbreaking patents and patent portfolios from the universities that own them, as well as negotiating intra-industry deals.

Leveraging our strong technical and legal experience, we provide pragmatic litigation advice and support to ensure that valuable patent rights are property enforced and monetized.  We handle complex IP litigation defense and enforcement matters at all levels, including in numerous district courts, the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit and the United States Supreme Court.  Furthermore, we are particularly adept at interferences.  Competent and cost conscious legal representation in this complex area of patent law requires a keen understanding of BioNanotechnology, the substantive law of interferences, and interference procedure.  We have had extensive and successful involvement in hundreds of interferences, and offer a cost effective seasoned and knowledgeable team to handle BioNanotechnology interferences when they arise.