30th Annual Advanced Patent Law Institute

Sterne Kessler Directors Robert Greene Sterne, Gaby Longsworth, Ph.D., and Jackie Wright Bonilla, Ph.D. spoke at the 30th Annual Advanced Patent Law Institute, hosted by UT Law CLE.

Rob and Gaby’s session, “Written Description and Enablement: Recent Cases and Emerging Trends,” examined how U.S. and international courts are interpreting the fundamental patent requirements for adequate description and enablement across biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, software, and AI-related inventions. They also explored recent decisions reshaping these standards in rapidly evolving technologies and analyzed implications for global patent strategy and claim drafting.

Jackie’s session, “Critical PTAB Developments: Beyond Discretionary Denial,” discussed key PTAB developments, including significant Federal Circuit decisions narrowing estoppel and scrutinizing implicit claim construction, the limits on the use of admitted prior art and other general knowledge in IPR petitions, the PTAB’s focus on reducing the pendency of ex parte appeals, and the return to mandatory in-person hearings.