John M. Covert is a director in Sterne Kessler’s Biotechnology & Chemical Practice Group. His practice is focused on technologies that involve organic chemistry, such as pharmaceuticals, coatings, fuels, lubricants and pesticides. John is experienced in a number of interdisciplinary areas, including computer-aided drug design, combinatorial chemistry and medical devices. He provides counseling with regard to patent portfolio strategy and management with issues that range from licensing, collaborations and technology acquisitions, to patent validity, infringement and design around strategies.

John has performed intellectual property due diligence investigations on behalf of clients seeking to acquire early and late stage pharmaceutical product candidates, drug design platforms, technology for controlling biological reactions, and has assisted in all aspects of technology transfer in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology fields. Additionally, he has created and managed patent portfolios for a number of emerging companies; performed freedom-to-operate clearances for potential commercial products in the pharmaceutical field; created patent strategies for protection of developmental candidates as they progress through pre-clinical and clinical development to commercial stage; cleared biological targets for clients to begin new drug discovery; resolved inventorship disputes; and worked with clients to design products that avoid third party patents.

Prior to joining the firm, John worked as an examiner in the Special Laws Administration Group of the USPTO where he examined patent applications directed to a variety of chemical compositions and processes. He also has experience working as a chemist in both small and large company settings.

John earned his J.D. from George Mason University School of Law, with distinction, an M.S. in Chemistry from Lehigh University, and a B.S. in Chemistry from St. Joseph’s University.

  • J.D., George Mason University Antonin Scalia Law School, with distinction
  • M.S., Chemistry, Lehigh University
  • B.S., Chemistry, St. Joseph's University

  • District of Columbia
  • Pennsylvania
  • United States Patent & Trademark Office

Webinar

Patent Term Extension Considerations for BioPharma Patents

Virtual, December 13, 2023 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM PST

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

Comprehensive and Effective IP Due Diligence

Virtual, June 17, 2021 12:20 PM - 1:10 PM PST

Webinar

JETRO New York Intellectual Property Group Seminar

VIRTUAL, April 15, 2021 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM PST

Webinar

Webinar: Fast Track Patent Examination Options and Strategies 2017

March 28, 2017 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM PST

Speaking Engagement

Israel Global Patent Litigation Forum

Tel Aviv, June 26, 2017

Related Resources

From John M. Covert

Webinar Recordings & Materials

December 13, 2023

Patent Term Extension Considerations for BioPharma Patents

Multiple Authors

Bylined Articles

August 2, 2021

Has Ex Parte Sauerberg Gutted the Patent Act’s Safe Harbor Provision?

IPWatchdog Multiple Authors

Client Alert

July 7, 2020

IP Hot Topic: Patent Prosecution Tool Kit

Carla Ji-Eun Kim

Reports

July 7, 2020

Patent Prosecution Tool Kit

Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox Multiple Authors

Bylined Articles

July 7, 2020

Federally Funded Inventions and Compliance with the Bayh-Dole Act

Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox Bonnie W. Nannenga-Combs, Ph.D., John M. Covert

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

June 19, 2018

Updated Bayh-Dole Regulations Increase Certain Risks of Losing Title to Federally Funded Inventions

Bonnie W. Nannenga-Combs, Ph.D., John M. Covert

In the News

June 8, 2018

Seeking outsized results

The Boston Globe Bonnie W. Nannenga-Combs, Ph.D., John M. Covert

Presentations

September 15, 2017

Focus on Pharma Conference 2017 PowerPoint Presentations

Bonnie W. Nannenga-Combs, Ph.D., John M. Covert

Press Release

May 11, 2016

Sterne Kessler Authors Fourth Edition of ABA/BNA Patent Litigation Strategies Handbook

Bonnie W. Nannenga-Combs, Ph.D., John M. Covert

Client Alert

November 16, 2015

Obama Administration Releases Much Anticipated Text of the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement

Jeremiah B. Frueauf, John M. Covert

Press Release

September 16, 2015

Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox Named 2015 LMG Life Sciences' Patent Prosecution Firm of the Year

Jeremiah B. Frueauf, John M. Covert

In the News

August 26, 2015

PTAB Poised To Take Up Hedge Fund Hijinks in Celgene Cases

Law360 Jeremiah B. Frueauf, John M. Covert

Webinar Recordings & Materials

January 15, 2015

USPTO 101 Guidelines: What Constitutes "Non-Naturally Occurring" Subject Matter?

Jeremiah B. Frueauf, John M. Covert

Firm Announcements

December 15, 2014

Sterne Kessler Attorneys Author Patent Office Litigation Chapter of The Patent Litigation Strategies Handbook Supplement

Jeremiah B. Frueauf, John M. Covert

Bylined Articles

September 16, 2014

Patent Armoring via Reissue Proceedings

Law360 Multiple Authors

Bylined Articles

June 23, 2014

America Invents Act: For US IP, The Cheese Has Been Moved

European Biotechnology News John M. Covert

Webinar Recordings & Materials

May 22, 2014

Webinar Recording: Options for Accelerating Patent Examination

John M. Covert