Michael L. Fuller

Mike Fuller is a technology enthusiast and widely regarded for his expertise in obtaining, licensing, and managing due diligence on patents involving molecular biology and computer science. Mike is a consummate deal-maker, working regularly with his clients to negotiate agreements for the sale or license of valuable technologies. Sought after for his creativity and unique ability to obtain highly valuable IP, Mike is devoted to protecting his client’s innovations. Combined scientific and high-technology backgrounds give Mike a deep understanding of complex technologies, including machine learning/AI systems, bioinformatics, next generation sequencing and medical diagnostic systems and software. Collaborating with clients to develop strong, enforceable, IP portfolios in technologies as diverse as autonomous driving, lithium ion batteries, medical diagnostics, web systems and services, DNA sequencing, gene amplification, pharmaceutical proteins and therapeutic monoclonal antibodies is the hallmark of Mike’s practice. In addition to developing these and other highly valued IP portfolios, Mike represents his clients in high stakes contentious matters in front of the USPTO, including inter partes reviews (IPRs) and ex parte patent re-examinations.  Dedication to meaningful client collaboration, while coming to the table with the requisite science and technology knowledge, allows Mike to offer tangible efficiencies in every area of his practice

He is managing partner of the Knobbe Martens office in San Diego, a member of the Executive Committee, and Chair of the firm’s Biotechnology Practice Group.  He speaks internationally on a variety of intellectual property topics, and has been actively engaged in national debates over IP issues through his many years of service with the Intellectual Property Owners Association (IPO).  He is also involved as a mentor and advocate for Southern California startups as a Board Member of San Diego Tech Coast Angels.

Some accolades include recognition as one of the San Diego Business Journal’s most influential business leaders in San Diego from 2017 - 2020, a San Diego Super Lawyer for 2015-2018, and one of the “World's Leading Patent Professionals" in the 2018 Patent 1000 guide by Intellectual Asset Management (IAM) magazine. A full list of Mike’s accomplishments can be found in the Awards & Honors section.

As a graduate student, Mike worked on software and biologic analyses of cholesterol-carrying apolipoproteins to advance the understanding of atherosclerosis and heart disease. Following graduate school he co-founded several high-technology startups that designed and fabricated personal computer motherboards, and created custom software and services for a variety of businesses.