Biotechnology

Our firm boasts one of IP law’s most experienced biotechnology group, with more than 75 attorneys and scientists representing clients in all stages of their business and technology development.

Our clients are innovators in a variety of disciplines including PCR, molecular tools and probes, immunology (antibodies and other binding proteins), cell varieties and uses (including stem cells) and biological polymers, to name but a few.

Our expertise across the entire biotech landscape gives us great insight into specific technologies, systems and markets. More importantly, our holistic understanding of the interrelated technologies and systems typically involved in a single invention allows us to provide coordinated guidance and counsel from inception though introduction.

Working in collaboration with nearly 400 IP firms worldwide, we effect patent, trademark, copyright, and other filings, and direct oppositions, cancellations, and litigation matters in over 120 countries. We have considerable experience in negotiating and drafting traditional licensing agreements as well as agreements for strategic alliances, partnerships and joint ventures.

We also maintain a talented litigation department adept in all aspects of biotechnology IP law, including the Biosimilars legislation. Our extensive Hatch-Waxman litigation experience combined with our understanding of the biotechnology industry uniquely positions Knobbe Martens to help clients develop and implement litigation strategies designed to maximize their place in the Biosimilars market place. In addition, we have considerable experience litigating before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit and the International Trade Commission.

Our attorneys have experience in all areas of Biotechnology, including:

Aesthetic & Cosmetic Biotechnology

Biofuels

Biological Manufacturing Of Chemicals

Diagnostic Tools

Industrial Enzymes

Personalized Medicine

Stem Cells & Regenerative Medicine

Therapeutics

Transgenic Animals

Antibodies & Immunology

CBD & Legal Cannabis

Biologics

Genomics

Peptides

Research Tools & Reagents

Synthetic Biology & Nanotechnology

Tissue Engineering

Vaccines

Representative Engagements

Anokion SA

Australia National University

Avanir Pharmaceuticals

BASF Enzymes, LLC

BASF SE

Becton Dickinson

BioNano Genomics

Bradley-James

California Institute of Technology

Capricor

Children’s Hospital of Orange County

Chrontech Pharma

Creative Peptides Sweden AB

Cytori Therapeutics

Eppendorf AG

Georgetown University

Harvard University

Healthgen Biotechnology Wuhan

Hitachi Chemical Research Center

Illumina

ImaginAb, Inc.

Inspiration Biopharmaceuticals

Invivoscribe

IONIS Pharmaceuticals

Kyoto University

Medicis Pharmaceutical Corporation

National University of Singapore

Nitto Denko Technical Corp

Novocell

Pathway Genomics

QuantuMDx Group, Ltd.

Queensland University of Technology

Regents of the University of California

Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute

Sigris Research

Smith & Nephew

Stanford University

Statens Serum Institut, Denmark

The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research

Verenium Corporation

ViaCyte

Successes

Capricor, Inc.

Firm client, Los Angeles-based Capricor, was featured in a story on CBS Evening News national broadcast that focused on Capricor's proprietary mix of stem cells derived from adult (non-embryonic) cardiac tissue. The report showed evidence that these stem cells can regenerate damaged areas of the heart and improve heart function. Findings were presented at a meeting of the American Heart Association on November 14. Knobbe Martens has been protecting Capricor's intellectual property rights since 2007.

Kyoto University

Knobbe Martens worked closely with Professor Yamanaka and his team to obtain U.S. Patent No. 8,048,999, the first patent granted for the work which led to Professor Yamanaka’s Nobel Prize. This patent relates to a nuclear programming factor for the production of induced pluripotent stem cells from adult cells. It is expected that the production of these induced pluripotent stem cells will ultimately lead to treatments that allow the complete regeneration of injured and diseased tissues.

Knobbe Martens continues to represent Kyoto University in connection with its ongoing efforts to obtain patent protection in the United States for Professor Yamanaka’s further work. We are greatly honored that Kyoto University entrusted Knobbe Martens to assist it in connection with such groundbreaking work, and we particularly appreciate the opportunity to work with Professor Yamanaka, a scientist of such renowned stature.

Sigris Research, Inc.

Knobbe Martens represents Sigris Research, Inc., a California-based biotechnology company that manufactures DNA sample preparation instruments and holds a portfolio of patents in the field of nucleic acid extraction and purification. Sigris filed suit against bioMérieux SA, a company headquartered in France, over bioMérieux’s alleged infringement of Sigris’ technology. Attorneys from Knobbe Martens assisted Sigris in reaching a worldwide settlement, and negotiated a license of the Sigris patents to bioMérieux.

University Client (Confidential)

Successfully represented a European university/patentee and its licensee, a European biotechnology company, in a patent arbitration before the ICDR relating to DNA cloning methods.

Antitrust Lawsuit Brought Against Drug Manufacturer Based on Its Allegedly Improper Listing of Device Patents in the FDA’s Orange Book
Introduced Patent Eligibility Restoration Act of 2023 (PERA) Seeks to Revitalize Patent Eligibility Standards
Draft Framework for Exercise of March-In Rights under Bayh-Dole Act Targets High Drug Pricing