David H. Holman, Ph.D., is a director in Sterne Kessler’s Biotechnology & Chemical and Trial & Appellate Practice Groups, with a practice focused on proceedings before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB). With a technical background and training in immunology, microbiology, and molecular biology, David regularly represents leading companies in biotech, pharmaceutical, and chemical industries.

David’s PTAB practice includes inter partes reviews, post-grant reviews, and interferences, where he counsels clients on initial pre-trial PTAB strategy, briefing and discovery during the PTAB proceeding, appeal and/or settlement. David also regularly counsels clients on global patent preparation and prosecution strategies.

Leveraging his deep technical expertise and prior biotech industry experience, David has represented clients large and small across a variety of technology areas, including DNA sequencing, therapeutic antibodies, pharmaceutical compositions, antisense molecules, protein engineering, vaccines, gene editing, gene therapy, viral vectors, and cannabinoid compositions.

He has authored or co-authored 19 peer-reviewed scientific publications and three book chapters. David is also a contributing author of Patent Office Litigation, Second Edition, published in 2017 by Thomson Reuters Westlaw, the book provides a fresh and comprehensive exploration of patent office litigation proceedings, including how the proceedings interact with other aspects of patent procurement and enforcement, while delivering practical analysis and advice. He is also a contributing author of U.S. Chemical Patent Law: A Practical Guide, published in 2019 and designed to be a practical guide for the preparation and prosecution of U.S. chemical patent applications. David is also a contributing author on Sterne Kessler’s 2021 PTAB Year in Review: Analysis & Trends, which explores the interface between district court and PTAB litigation, and PTAB evolutionary trends from 2021.

Prior to becoming a practicing attorney, David worked as a scientist for two different start-up companies with research efforts in developing novel vaccines for infectious diseases and peptide therapeutics for certain illnesses. During law school, David also served as a technology transfer officer at a medical university, where he assisted university innovators in protecting and commercializing intellectual property.

Outside of the firm, David enjoys spending time with his family, fishing, golfing, and cheering for the Clemson Tigers.

David received his J.D., magna cum laude, from the Charleston School of Law. He received his Ph.D. in microbiology and immunology from the Medical University of South Carolina and his B.S. in microbiology, cum laude, from Clemson University.

Technical Publications

  • David H. Holman, Human Embryonic Stem Cell Research: Statutory Interpretation of the Dickey-Wicker Amendment and the Future of Biomedical Research. 2011 Fed. Cts. L. Rev. 4.
  • Sudarshan S, Holman DH, Hyer ML, Norris JS. 2004. In vitroefficacy of Fas Ligand gene therapy for the treatment of bladder cancer. Cancer Gene Therapy, 12(1):12-18.
  • Norris JS, Norris KL, Holman DH, El-Zawahry A, Keane TE, Dong J-Y, Tavassoli, M. (2005) The present and future for gene and viral therapy of directly accessible prostate and squamous cell cancers of the head and neck. Future Oncology, 1(1):116-123.
  • Wang D, Schmaljohn AL, Raja NU, Truby CM, Juompan LY, Luo M, Deitz SB, Yu H, Woraratanadharm J, Holman DH, Moore KM, Swain BM, Hart MK, Pratt WD, Dong JY. (2006)De Novo Syntheses Of Marburg Virus Antigens From Adenovirus Vectors Induce Potent Humoral And Cellular Immune Responses. Vaccine, 24(15):2975-2986.
  • Elojeimy S., McKillop JC, El-ZawahryAM, Holman DH, Liu X, Schwartz DA, Day TA, Dong JY, Norris JS. (2006) FasL Gene Therapy: A New Therapeutic Modality for Head and Neck Cancer. Cancer Gene Therapy, Aug;13(8):739-45.
  • Norris JS, Bielawska A, Day T, El-Zawahry A, Elojeimy S, Hannun Y, Holman D, Hyer M, Landon C, Lowe S, McKillop J, Norris K, L. Obeid, Rubinchik S, Tavassoli M, Tomlinson S, Dong J, Voelkel-Johnson C, Liu X. (2006) Combined Therapeutic Use of AdGFPFasL and Small Molecule Inhibitors of Ceramide Metabolism in Prostate and Head and Neck Cancers: A Status Report. Cancer Gene Therapy, Dec;13(12):1045-51.
  • Elojeimy S, Holman DH, Liu X, El-Zawahry A, Villani M, Cheng JC, Mahdy A, Zaidan Y, Bielawska A, Hannun YA, Norris JS. (2006) New insights on the use of desipramine as an inhibitor for acid ceramidase. FEBS Letters, Aug 21;580(19):4751-6.
  • Liu X, Elojeimy S, El-Zawahry AM, Holman DH, Bielawska A, Bielawski J, Rubinchik S, Guo GW, Dong JY, Keane T, Hannun YA, Tavassoli M, Norris JS. (2006) Modulation of Ceramide Metabolism Enhances Viral Protein Apoptin’s Cytotoxicity in Prostate Cancer. Molecular Therapy, Nov;14(5):637-46.
  • Liu X, Zeidan YH, Elojeimy S, Holman DH, El-Zawahry AM, Guo GW, Bielawska A, Bielawski J, Szulc Z, Rubinchik S, Dong JY, Keane TE, Tavassoli M, Hannun YA, Norris JS. (2006) Involvement of sphingolipids in apoptin-induced cell killing. Molecular Therapy, Nov;14(5):627-36.
  • Raja, NU, DH Holman, D Wang, K Raviprakash, LY Juompan, SB Deitz, M Luo, J Zhang, K Porter, JY Dong. (2007) Expression of dengue virus type 1 and type 2 antigens from a single adenoviral vector induces bivalent humoral immune responses. American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, April 1;76(4): 743-51.
  • Holman DH, Wang D, Raviprakash K, Raja NU, Luo M, Zhang J, Porter KR, Dong JY. (2007) Two Complex, Adenovirus-Based Vaccines That Together Induce Immune Responses to All Four Dengue Virus Serotypes. Clinical and Vaccine Immunology, 14(2):182-9.
  • Holman DH, Turner LS, El-Zawahry AM, Elojeimy S, Liu X, Bielawski J, Szulc Z, Norris K, Zeidan YH, Hannun YA, Bielawska A, Norris JS. (2008) Lysosomotropic acid ceramidase inhibitor induces apoptosis in prostate cancer cells. Cancer Chemotherapy and Pharmacology, Feb;61(2):231-42.
  • Elojeimy S, Liu X, McKillop JC, El-Zawahry AM, Holman DH, Cheng JY, Meacham WD, Mahdy AE, Saad AF, Turner LS, Cheng J, A Day T, Dong JY, Bielawska A, Hannun YA, Norris JS. (2007) Role of Acid Ceramidase in Resistance to FasL: Therapeutic Approaches Based on Acid Ceramidase Inhibitors and FasL Gene Therapy. Molecular Therapy, Jul;15(7):1259-63.
  • Schepp-Berglind J, Luo M, Wang D, Wicker JA, Raja NU, Hoel BD, Holman DH, Barrett ADT, Dong JY. (2007) Complex Adenovirus-mediated expression of C, PreM, E, and NS1 proteins of West Nile Virus induces both humoral and cellular immune responses. Clinical and Vaccine Immunology, Sep;14(9):1117-26.
  • Liu X, Elojeimy S, Turner LS, Mahdy AE, Zeidan YH, Bielawska A, Bielawski J, Dong JY, El-Zawahry AM, Guo GW, Hannun YA, Holman DH, Rubinchik S, Szulc Z, Keane TE, Tavassoli M, Norris JS. (2008) Acid ceramidase inhibition: a novel target for cancer therapy. Frontiers in Bioscience, Jan 1;13:2293-8.
  • Swenson DL, Wang D, Luo M, Warfield KL, Woraratanadharm J, Holman DH, Dong JY, Pratt WD. (2008) Vaccine to confer to nonhuman primates complete protection against multistrain Ebola and Marburg virus infections. Clinical and Vaccine Immunology, Mar;15(3):460-7.
  • Holman DH, Wang D, Raja NU, Luo M, Moore KM, Woraratanadharm J, Mytle N, Dong JY. (2008) Multi-antigen vaccines based on complex adenovirus vectors induce protective immune responses against H5N1 avian influenza viruses. Vaccine, May 19;26(21):2627-39.
  • Raviprakash K, Ewing D, Block K, Holman DH, Woraratanadharm J, Wang, D Dong JY, Chen L, Porter K. (2008) A Tetravalent Dengue Vaccine Based on a Complex Adenovirus Vector Protects Monkeys Against All Four Serotypes of Dengue Viruses. Journal of Virology, Jul;82(14):6927-34.
  • Holman DH, Penn-Nicholson A, Wang D, Woraratanadharm J, Harr MK, Luo M, Maher EM, Holbrook MR, Dong JY. (2009) A Complex Adenovirus Vectored Vaccine Against Rift Valley Fever Virus Protects Mice Against Lethal Infection in the Presence of Pre-existing Vector Immunity. Clinical and Vaccine Immunology, Nov;16(11):1624-32.
  • Pratt WD, Wang D, Nichols DK, Luo M, Woraratanadharm J, Dye JM, Holman DH, Dong JY. (2010) Protection of nonhuman primates against two species of Ebola virus infection with a single complex adenovirus vector. Clinical and Vaccine Immunology, Apr;17(4):572-81.
  • Holman DH, Hyer ML, El-Zawahry A, Keller GM, Norris JS. (2003) Pro-Apoptotic Strategy in Cancer Gene Therapy. In: Cancer Gene Therapy (Curiel DT and Douglas J, eds), Totowa, NJ:Humana Press Inc.
  • Norris JS, Holman DH, Hyer ML, Bielawska A, El-Zawahry A, Chalfant C, Landen C, Tomlinson S, Dong JY,,Obeid LM, Hannun YA. (2003) Ceramide, Ceramidase and FasL Gene Therapy in Prostate Cancer. In: Death Receptors in Cancer Therapy (El-Deiry WS, ed) Totowa, NJ:Humana Press Inc.
  • Holman DH, Wang D, Woraratanadharm J, Dong JY. (2009) Viral Vectors. In: Vaccines for Neglected and Emerging Infectious Diseases (Barrett AD and Stanberry LR, eds). Elsevier Publishing, Jan 2009; 77-91.

  • J.D., Charleston School of Law, magna cum laude
  • Ph.D., Microbiology and Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina
  • B.S., Microbiology, Clemson University, cum laude

  • District of Columbia
  • South Carolina
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
  • United States Patent & Trademark Office

Speaking Engagement

2023 Focus on Pharma

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

Speaking Engagement

Patents in the Cross-Hairs of the Affordable Drug Conversation

Huntington Beach, CA, Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort and Spa, December 5, 2022 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM PST

Speaking Engagement

Discretionary Denials of IPR Petitions by the PTAB: Recent Developments, Trends, and Effective Strategies

Virtual, September 29, 2021 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM PST

Speaking Engagement

Discretionary Denials of IPR Petitions by the PTAB: Recent Developments, Trends, and Effective Strategies

Austin, TX, JW Marriott, September 20, 2021 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM PST

Related Resources

From David H. Holman, Ph.D.

Bylined Articles

March 11, 2024

Key Factors In Establishing Compelling Merits at the PTAB

Law360 David H. Holman, Ph.D., Tyler C. Liu

In the News

September 12, 2022

Korean Co. Can't Be First To Invent CRISPR, PTAB Told

Law360 David H. Holman, Ph.D., Tyler C. Liu

Firm Announcements

June 9, 2022

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

Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox David H. Holman, Ph.D., Tyler C. Liu

Client Alert

March 7, 2022

IP Hot Topic: 2021 PTAB Year in Review: Analysis & Trends

David H. Holman, Ph.D., Tyler C. Liu

Reports

March 7, 2022

2021 PTAB Year in Review: Analysis & Trends

Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox Multiple Authors

Bylined Articles

March 7, 2022

Case Studies and Trends at the PTAB Involving 35 U.S.C. § 112

Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox Multiple Authors

Press Release

March 7, 2022

Sterne Kessler Publishes 2021 PTAB Year in Review: Analysis & Trends Report

Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox Multiple Authors

Press Release

October 8, 2020

Sterne Kessler Client Wins 2020 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for CRISPR-Cas9 Technology

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

In the News

June 2, 2020

Amgen Drops Alexion Blood Drug IPRs, Gets 2025 License

Law360 Multiple Authors

In the News

April 28, 2020

Law360 Names Attys Who Moved Up The Firm Ranks In Q1

Law360 Multiple Authors

Press Release

April 16, 2020

Sterne Kessler Hosts Virtual Pro Bono Clinic for Small Businesses

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

Press Release

January 2, 2020

Sterne Kessler Elects Three New Directors and Promotes Five Attorneys to Counsel

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

Books and Chapters

October 1, 2019

U.S. Chemical Patent Law: A Practical Guide

Bloomberg Law Multiple Authors

Press Release

October 1, 2019

Sterne Kessler Attorneys Author U.S. Chemical Patent Law

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

Client Alert

October 11, 2018

USPTO Changes Claim Construction Standard in Post-Grant Proceedings

David H. Holman, Ph.D., Eldora L. Ellison, Ph.D.

Bylined Articles

March 9, 2018

The New USPTO Examiner Manual And 102(e) Prior Art

Law360 David H. Holman, Ph.D., Eric K. Steffe

Books and Chapters

February 17, 2017

Patent Office Litigation - Second Edition 2017

Thomson Reuters Westlaw Multiple Authors

Bylined Articles

December 28, 2015

Inter Partes Reviews: The Effect of Estoppel

World Intellectual Property Review Eldora L. Ellison, Ph.D., David H. Holman, Ph.D.