BIOTECHNOLOGY

For over 35 years, we have successfully represented clients in the field of biotechnology and related disciplines. Initially, our biotechnology practice focused on fermentation processes and the isolation and utilization of enzymes particularly related to industrial applications such as food technologies. Now, we are internationally recognized experts in biotechnology, representing a diverse clientele ranging from start-ups to worldwide Fortune 100 industrial and pharmaceutical companies. Furthermore, we have enjoyed many years of experience working closely with Universities and Institutional research organizations. We consider it a privilege to foster the health of individuals through our collaborations with our biotechnology clients.

Our biotechnology practice involves the solicitation and enforcement of patents in the scientific disciplines of genetics, molecular biology, microbiology, immunology biochemistry, and computational biology. Over the years we have secured and defended patents relating to recombinant technologies, expression systems, biological products, therapeutics and diagnostics, cancer related technologies, bioassays, gene therapy, vaccines and plant technology.

More recently, we have become involved in embryonic stem cell technology, transgenic plants and animals, animal cloning, the isolation of genes and the articulation of gene function, gene profiling, genomics, proteomics, bioinformatics, monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies including the production of humanized antibodies, and the identification of cytokines and associated growth factor receptors.

Historically, our firm has counseled clients in respect to various commercial recombinant molecules such as GM-CSF, LIF, IL-1_ and PDGF and a variety of commercialized expression systems including the utilization of Pichia Pastoris worldwide for the production of biological products. We have successfully defended the patent covering the ubiquitous PSA test and recently addressed certain modifications to the Pichia expression system for the production of humanized glycosylated proteins. As experts in many disciplines, our research groups and attorneys have facilitated the application of biotechnology to cross disciplines such as the emerging field of nanotechnology.

CHEMISTRY

Our knowledge in chemistry is one of the cornerstones of our practice. We embrace a large chemical practice, securing and prosecuting patents in every area of chemistry including, for example, organic, inorganic, and chemical instrumentation. We also have experience in litigating chemical patents as well as performing IP related studies and transactions for chemical technologies.

Our experience in the chemical industry extends from food technologies that include sweeteners, food products, bottling, canning and processing equipment from well known consumer product companies, to billion dollar industrial firms that have developed chemical products such as, polymers, pharmaceuticals, pigments, fine chemicals, herbicides, fabric care products, home care products, personal care products, building products, catalysts, pesticides, diagnostic agents and nanoparticles.

In addition to our expertise in chemical products, we also are proficient in the processes that lead to the fabrication of such products. For example, in polymer technology, we have experience in polymerization catalyst and co-catalyst fabrication, reactor design, the polymerization itself, polymer testing and characterization, as well as polymer processing and the use of the processed polymer in various products.

Additionally, we have experience in chemical instrumentation that is used for manufacturing, testing and characterizing the various chemical technologies mentioned above.

MATERIALS SCIENCE & ENGINEERING

Our Materials Science and Engineering Group has vast technical expertise and experience in all aspects of metallic materials, ceramics, polymers, composites, semiconductors, thin films, nanoparticles, biomaterials, self-assembly structures as well as superconductors. Besides the materials themselves, the Materials Science and Engineering Group is proficient in the processes that are used to fabricate, manufacture and apply the materials, and techniques that are used to characterize the materials as well as products, structures and devices that contain the same.

We handle all facets of patent procurement in materials science technologies, and have extensive experience in preparing and prosecuting patents in the semiconductor arts and related fields such as fabrication, testing and metrology. We also have experience in litigating Materials Science patents as well as performing IP related studies and transactions for Materials Science technologies. Our Materials Science and Engineering Group represents major industrial companies, small and medium enterprises, university research departments and start-ups. We also represent Nobel Laureate's who have prepared and isolated fullerenes, including C60, in macroscopic amounts.

All of our Materials Science and Engineering Group members have experience in cross-related arts such as chemical, biochemical and electronics, which provides for the procurement of comprehensive patent protection within this field.

ELECTRONICS, ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING & COMPUTERS

Electronics, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science evolve at blazing speed. Therefore continuous education with the most updated materials and cutting edge discoveries is vital. Since our inception, we have procured patents for some of the most respected companies in the computer and aerospace industries, including patents for computers, software, weapons and radar systems that are of prime national importance.

Our firm has obtained protection regarding semiconductor technologies that include various wafer fabrication processes and device structures in both gallium arsenide and silicon. Counseling for these clients relies heavily on our experience in materials science, optics, electronics and metallurgy. We have extensively protected innovations in computer systems, including autonomic computing, as well as computer hardware and circuitry from individual semiconductor memory storage devices to whole computer memory organizations, and from embedded system and system-on-chip integrated circuit designs to massively parallel computing systems.

Our experience has enabled us to secure patents in liquid crystal display technologies- securing innovations relating to physical aspects of individual LCD elements to data synchronization aspects of display generation. We also handle microprocessors, 3D computer graphics, operating systems, and ASIC designs from both an algorithm and architecture viewpoint.

We protect computer software with method and system patents, copyrights and trade secret counseling. We provide full services to clients involved in operating systems for visual display, image processing, artificial intelligence, simulation, robotic systems, automated production lines, and highly compact data indexing and display algorithms. We prepare and prosecute patents relating to network (e.g., LAN, WAN) systems and improvements in information and communications technologies, including digital radio, wireless systems, security aspects such as cryptographical cypher systems, improvements in I/O and data processing efficiencies, and innovations to communications and packet routing protocols associated with most wired and wireless communications technologies. Further to be exploited is our extensive experience in securing patent protection for optical electronics including SONET systems and bioinformatics-related inventions that are currently re-shaping the research landscape in conventional biotechnology and drug discovery.

Our experience also includes medical diagnostic imaging systems and computer software applications such as traditional x-ray imaging systems, digital rotational angiography systems, computed tomography (CT) systems, ultrasound imaging systems, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) systems, picture archiving and communication systems (PACS), computer aided detection (CAD), and computer aided diagnostics (CADx) to support medical diagnostic and interventional practices.

INTERNET, E-COMMERCE & BUSINESS METHODS

It is safe to say the Internet has become a ubiquitous part of both private life and business. Understanding the advantages and identifying the potential pitfalls of using the Internet as a business tool is vital in today's global market. There are complex issues surrounding the Internet such as domain name selection and registration, operation and maintenance of web sites, and personal jurisdiction problems. Conducting business over the Internet involves unique legal questions in the areas of trademarks, patents, copyrights, and unfair competition.

Patent protection has emerged as a primary tool in protecting Internet and e-commerce patents. We have handled E-commerce patents related to shopping cart models, auction techniques, secure payment techniques, on-line surveys, promotions, gaming and advertising techniques, and financial transactions such as loan processing. We have expertise in Internet- patents encompassing Internet infrastructure, including directory techniques, search engines, and communication techniques involving routing, data compression and encryption.

In addition, our attorneys have prepared applications and obtained patents in areas including obtaining on-line authorized services, on-line auctions, securities trading, insurance, deferred compensation plans, on-line surveys, electronic coupons, consumer incentive programs, user interfaces, directory techniques and communication protocols.

MECHANICAL ARTS

With such a wide range of in-house technical expertise, there is no area of the mechanical arts we cannot counsel secure and litigate. Such areas include production machinery, packaging equipment, medical instrumentation, optics, hangers, analyzation equipment and sports equipment. Our experience includes handling matters involving equipment that ranges from large industrial processing systems to the less complex oriented mechanical devices. We have prepared and prosecuted patents in high tech areas such as alternative power systems including hybrid electric vehicles and fuel cells, low-tech areas such as hangers and baseball caps, and many areas in-between.

Our firm also provides expertise in various advances in the optical arts for hand-held bar code readers, laser scanners, holographic pattern recognition systems, laser targeting, collision avoidance systems, liquid crystal displays, microscopes and optical medical instrumentation. In addition, we are experienced in mobile telecommunications equipment including cellular phones and large scale antenna systems. When a mechanical invention also relates to electrical, chemical, biotechnical, or computer products or processes, firm attorneys with relevant expertise collaborate to ensure that a client's protection is fully realized. Recent evidence of this process rests in our development of an extensive patent protection program on a new production line for an industry leader in disposable contact lenses.

Our firm has coordinated an international program to facilitate the international use of environmentally friendly packaging technology directed to perform extrusion and blow molding processes for soft drink bottles on behalf of one of the world's major soft drink companies. Additionally, we are engaged in multinational projects for injection molding processes and products, as well as cargo handling systems. Furthermore, we represent a globally recognized company in preparing and prosecuting endoscope products and related peripheral devices and accessories.

We continue to represent several globally recognized domestic and foreign corporations that develop inventions in robotics, appliances, weaponry, infrared microscopes, high-pressure liquid chromatography devices and nuclear power plant technology.

NANOTECHNOLOGY

One of the most exciting research areas and emerging markets in the last 100 years and we are at the forefront of its development. Comprised of members holding advanced degrees in science and engineering, including PhD's in the fields of chemistry, material science and the life sciences, our firm is uniquely qualified to serve our client's needs in the emerging nanosciences.

Since 1990, we have written and prosecuted patent applications worldwide relating to fullerenes and their use in various technologies, including electronics and life sciences. The most notable of these are the seminal patents relating to the discoveries of Drs. Huffman and Kratschmer, known to be among the first scientists who prepared and isolated fullerenes, including C60, in macroscopic amounts. We have also prepared and prosecuted patent applications directed to nanotubes, quantum dots, and various nanoparticles, and in related technologies including atomic force probes, SEMs, MEMS and, other small scale semiconductor and optical device technologies.

We are a strategic business advisor to academic and business leaders in nanotech industries and are actively engaged in formulating patent strategies for many private and public companies in those industries. To better advise clients, we have created a multi-disciplined nanotechnology practice group including members drawn from our firm's traditional practice areas. This group has valuable insight into the influence of intellectual property in emerging nanotech markets. Our long history with nanotechnology allows us to integrate information from a variety of sources in a manner designed to provide more informative counseling and useful advise for entrepreneurs, laboratories, the buy-side community, and major corporations.

PHARMACEUTICALS

Every year, billions of dollars are spent in the development and sale of pharmaceuticals. That's a lot of money and with that money comes the need for legal security. Since the first days of our firm, we have been a leader in securing pharmaceutical intellectual property and we recognize that strong patent protection for pharmaceuticals drives medical progress by providing economic incentives for innovation.

The pharmaceutical practice of our firm has grown in size and scope and provides patent portfolio advice, due diligence, opinions, and patent prosecution for both brand and generic industries, as well as universities and research institutes. Additionally, we have handled inter partes proceedings for our pharmaceutical clients, including litigation, interferences and oppositions in foreign patent offices. We are also experienced in the areas of cosmetics, nutraceuticals and cosmaceuticals.

Our attorneys have expertise in Food, Drug and Cosmetic Law, particularly Abbreviated New Drug Application (ANDA) Paragraph IV opinions, and evaluating pharmaceutical patents, vis-a-vis scope, infringement and validity. In addition, we counsel clients on patent and FDA patent extension strategies.

Many of our attorneys hold doctorate degrees and apply their unique understanding of science and the law in preparing and prosecuting patent applications relating to numerous drug delivery technologies, including oral controlled release in the area of biodegradable particulate delivery systems including microspheres, polymer coating, matrix, and pellet systems, needleless syringes, and transdermal drug delivery systems.

Pharmaceuticals Practice Group

Mark J. Cohen, Ph.D.
Peter I. Bernstein, M.S.
Frank S. DiGiglio
Edward W. Grolz
Xiaochun Zhu, Ph.D.
Richard L. Catania, M.S.
Drew Berweger
Leslie S. Szivos, Ph.D.
Edmund Gutierrez, Ph.D.
Fatih Mercan, Ph.D.
Michelle Liu, Ph.D.