Chandrika Vira is a director in Sterne Kessler’s Trial & Appellate and Biotechnology & Chemical Practice Groups. Chandrika represents clients in complex intellectual property matters in federal district courts, before the International Trade Commission, in contested proceedings before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board, and before the Federal Circuit on appeal.

Chandrika has litigated cases involving a broad range of technologies, including pharmaceuticals, biotechnology products, medical devices, and electrical equipment. In the life sciences arena, Chandrika has successfully represented and counseled clients in cases involving small-molecule pharmaceuticals under the Hatch-Waxman Act, and biologics and biosimilars under the Biologics Price Competition and Innovation Act (BPCIA). Chandrika has also litigated cases that protect her client’s trademark rights. Chandrika serves as a strategic advisor to her clients on matters of patent rights as well as trademark, copyright, and false advertising rights.

Chandrika is also active in the firm’s pro bono efforts.

Chandrika is a contributing author of Pre-ANDA Litigation: Strategies and Tactics for Developing a Drug Product and Patent Portfolio, Second Edition, published in 2018 by the American Bar Association.

Prior to law school, Chandrika worked as a consultant for two technology companies where she advised companies on implementing technological solutions. While in law school at The George Washington University, Chandrika participated in the Law Students in Court Clinic where she had the opportunity to represent clients in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia in the Criminal Division. Chandrika received her B.A. in molecular biology from Coe College.

Technical Publications

  • Vira, C. (1998). “Optical and physical properties of bismuth borate glasses related to structure,” Phys. C hem. Glasses, 39(2), 83-6.
  •  Vira, C. (1999). “A Structural analysis of the physical properties of bismuth and lead based glasses.” Phys. C hem. Glasses, 40(6), 326-32.

  • In re Certain Non-Invasive Aesthetic Body-Contouring Devices, Components Thereof, And Methods Of Using Same, 337-TA-1219 (counsel for Complainant, BTL Industries, Inc. in an ITC investigation pertaining to magnetic body contouring machines)
  • Adapt Pharma Ops.  v. Teva Pharmaceuticals USA (D.N.J.) (counsel for Teva in litigation concerning naloxone, a treatment for opioid overdose)
  • Genentech, Inc. et al. v. Sandoz, Inc. (D.N.J.) (counsel for Sandoz in BPCIA litigation on patents concerning rituximab)
  • Mayne Pharma v. Actavis Elizabeth LLC  (D. Del.) (counsel for Actavis and Teva in Hatch-Waxman litigation on patents concerning doxycycline dosage forms)
  • Sony Corporation v. ARRIS Enterprise LLC (counsel for ARRIS in IPRs concerning broadband technology)
  • Allergan, Inc. v. Teva Pharmaceuticals USA, Inc. et al. (E.D. Tex.) (counsel for Teva in Hatch-Waxman litigation on patents concerning mesalamine)
  • Akorn, Inc. v. Senju Pharmaceuticals Co., Ltd. et al. (counsel for Akorn in an IPR and subsequent appeal on a patent patent concerning difluprednate)
  • Otsuka Pharmaceuticals Co., Ltd. v. Alembic Pharmaceuticals Limited (D.N.J.) (counsel for Alembic in Hatch-Waxman litigation on patents concerning aripiprazole)
  • Salix Pharmaceuticals, Inc. v. Novel Laboratories, Inc. (D. Del.) (counsel for Novel in Hatch-Waxman litigation on patents covering mesalamine)

  • Best Lawyers, “Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America” (2024)
  • Profiles in Diversity Journal®, “Women Worth Watching in STEM” (2023)
  • DCA Live, “Emerging Women Leaders in Law” (2020)
  • Super Lawyers, “Rising Star – Washington, D.C.” (2018-2017)

  • J.D., The George Washington University Law School
  • B.A., Molecular Biology, Coe College

  • District of Columbia
  • New York
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
  • U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York
  • U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York
  • U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan
  • United States Patent & Trademark Office

  • American Intellectual Property Law Association
  • New York Bar Association
  • District of Columbia Bar Association

Webinar

Labeling and Induced Infringement in Pharma Patent Litigation and Protecting IP Rights

Virtual, October 12, 2023 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM PST

Speaking Engagement

2023 Focus on Pharma

Washington, DC, April 14, 2023 8:30 AM - 6:00 PM PST

Speaking Engagement

Round Table Discussion: Litigation in an Age of Biologics Versus Biosimilars

Virtual, April 15, 2021 11:55 AM - 1:00 PM PST

Speaking Engagement

Redefining Success in the Age of COVID-19: The Bridge to the New Normal

Virtual, September 23, 2020 1:35 PM - 2:25 PM PST

Speaking Engagement

Pharma IPR Conference 2020

Mumbai, India, Taj Santacruz, March 4, 2020 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM PST

Speaking Engagement

Women, Diversity & Law: Awareness into Action Summit

Philadelphia, PA, DoubleTree Hotel, Center City Philadelphia, December 4, 2019

Speaking Engagement

The BPCIA is Turning Ten: What’s Next for Biosimilars?

Philadelphia, PA, June 3, 2019

Related Resources

From Chandrika Vira

In the News

November 16, 2023

Delaware Jury: Guardant Willfully Infringed Patents With DNA Sequencing Kits

Mealey's Litigation Report: Intellectual Property, pub. 41094

In the News

November 15, 2023

Seattle Startup Wins $83M In IP Spat With Silicon Valley Rival

Law360

Firm Announcements

November 15, 2023

Sterne Kessler Scores $83.4M Federal Jury Verdict for TwinStrand Biosciences, Inc.

Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox

Press Release

November 6, 2023

Sterne Kessler Notches Multiple Rankings in 2024 “Best Law Firms” List

Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox

Firm Announcements

August 29, 2023

U.S. District Court Affirms Immigrant Children’s Constitutional Rights

Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox

In the News

July 25, 2023

Teva Exits Cancer Drug IP Row With 2031 Generic License

Law360

Press Release

July 3, 2023

Directors Josephine Kim and Chandrika Vira Honored With 2023 Profiles in Diversity Journal® Awards

Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox

In the News

April 5, 2023

DCA Live's 2023 Emerging Women Leaders in Law

DCA Live

Firm Announcements

January 25, 2023

Sterne Kessler Scores Another District Court Patent Win for Client Block Inc.

Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox

In the News

January 25, 2023

Tidal Escapes Patent Suit Over Music Playlist Tech

Law360

Press Release

September 9, 2022

Sterne Kessler Wins Hatch-Waxman Impact Case of the Year Award at 2022 LMG Life Sciences Americas Awards

Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox

Firm Announcements

June 9, 2022

Sterne Kessler and D.C. Bar Pro Bono Center Host Sixth Annual Small Business Clinic

Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox

In the News

May 6, 2022

Fed. Circ. Rejects Narcan Maker's Redo Bid In Patent Suit

Law360

In the News

May 6, 2022

Skilled in the Art With Scott Graham

Law.com

In the News

May 4, 2022

Dorsey’s Block Slips Suit Saying It Copied Payments Software (2)

Bloomberg Law

Firm Announcements

May 3, 2022

District Court Patent Win for Client Block, Inc.

Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox

In the News

February 18, 2022

Litigator of the Week Runners-Up and Shout Outs

Law.com

In the News

February 11, 2022

Federal Circuit Tosses Naloxone Patents

Law Street Media

In the News

February 10, 2022

Teva Win Invalidating Narcan Patents Upheld by Federal Circuit

Bloomberg Law

In the News

February 10, 2022

Court Affirms Teva Win in Fight Over Generic Narcan Anti-Overdose Drug

Reuters

In the News

February 10, 2022

Split Fed. Circ. Won't Restore 4 Narcan Patents

Law360

In the News

September 7, 2021

AbbVie Settles Patent Dispute Over Muscle Stimulation Tech

Law360

In the News

March 25, 2021

How 2020 ANDA Litigation Played Out – And What to Expect for 2021

Managing IP

In the News

July 9, 2020

Patent Cases To Watch In The Second Half Of 2020

Law360

In the News

June 23, 2020

Obviousness Doomed Narcan Patents After NJ Bench Trial

Law360

In the News

June 5, 2020

Teva Invalidates Opiant Patents In Narcan Suit

Law360

Press Release

April 16, 2020

Sterne Kessler Hosts Virtual Pro Bono Clinic for Small Businesses

Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox P.L.L.C.

In the News

February 20, 2020

Rival Says Allergan Muscle Toner Not As Strong As Claimed

Law360

In the News

April 29, 2019

Law Firms: Legal Actions, Decisions

Bloomberg Law

In the News

April 26, 2019

Detained Children, Sponsors Get Cert. In Policy Challenge

Law360

In the News

December 12, 2018

Fed. Circ. OKs Teva's Patent Win Over Allergan Colitis Drug

Law360

In the News

December 6, 2018

Fed. Circ. Questions Allergan On Water's Role In Colitis Patent

Law360

In the News

October 31, 2018

Allergan, Generic Cos. Battle Over Restasis Launch Plans

Law360

In the News

August 8, 2018

PTAB Rightly Axed Alcon Eye Drop Patent, Fed. Circ. Says

Law360

In the News

April 28, 2017

Law360 Names Attys Who Moved Up The Firm Ranks in Q1

Press Release

January 16, 2017

Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox Elects Five New Directors

Bylined Articles

December 16, 2016

Ten Takeaways From the FDA's December 2016 Revisions to its Hatch-Waxman Regulations

Bloomberg BNA's Patent, Trademark & Copyright Journal Paul A. Ainsworth, Chandrika Vira

In the News

November 23, 2016

PTAB Invalidates Claims In Durezol Eye Drops Patent

Law360 Paul A. Ainsworth, Chandrika Vira

Firm Announcements

April 16, 2015

Sterne Kessler Successfully Represents Alembic Pharmaceuticals Limited in Launching Generic Drug

Chandrika Vira, Dennies Varughese, Pharm.D.

Bylined Articles

March 17, 2014

Patent Owner's Preliminary Response In Inter Partes Review: Statutory Bars (Part 2)

International Law Office Chandrika Vira

Bylined Articles

February 3, 2014

Patent Owner's Preliminary Response In Inter Partes Review: Statutory Bars (Part 1)

International Law Office Chandrika Vira