Morrison Foerster counsels clients at the intersection of life sciences, healthcare, and technology across their business lifecycles. With a ‘very strong scientific foundation’, the firm has a strong IP practice, proficient in litigation, counsel strategy, prosecution, and licensing and commercialization agreements. The firm is also active in the regulatory, corporate transactions, and emerging companies and venture capital spaces. Michael Ward, an expert in agricultural IP prosecution and portfolios, leads the team with co-head and patent litigator Daralyn Durie; both are based in San Francisco. Brigid Bondoc leads the FDA team from Washington DC, whereas Palo Alto’s Catherine Polizzi and San Diego-based Karen Potter are patent specialists. New additions to the team include IP litigators Todd Krause, Bindu Donovan, and Alyssa Monsen – all joining the New York office from Desmarais LLP.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘MoFo has done a great job as patent counsel of a biotech company. Their key strength has been their ability to support the patent portfolio as the company and its technology has matured from exploratory research to the selection of a lead compound, now in Phase III clinical trials. Along the way, there were patent landscape searches and analyses, multiple due diligence processes where MoFo admirably represented the company's patents and strategy, and we are now in the phase of focusing on patent term extensions for multiple worldwide patent filings in multiple patent families. We have consistently been pleased with MoFo's performance and MoFo has the confidence of our management.’
‘The team is very strong in understanding complex, multidisciplinary, conceptual new technology. They work extremely well as a team, each bringing different kinds of scientific understanding and background.’
‘MoFo has done a great job of integrating corporate, licensing and IP capabilities for life sciences under one roof. Catherine Polizzi is very capable of thinking through patent strategy while accounting for business, partnering, and investor considerations to create practical answers.’
'Dr. Karen Potter is very hands-on and is intimately knowledgeable about all aspects of the patent portfolio. She has successfully represented our company in many discussions with potential investors and partners. She has a deep technical knowledge which she uses to the client's advantage. Likewise, the team Karen has assembled has excellent technology of technology and patent laws and procedures. The paralegal team is efficient and professional, always willing to find requested documents or confirm deadlines.’
‘Matthew Karlyn's transactional team has extensive experience advising on all aspects of every conceivable form of life sciences transaction. They provide expert advice on navigating tricky IP licensing issues and practical solutions to get the deals done.'
- 'Catherine Polizzi's IP team is extremely strategic, providing excellent guidance and understandable advice. They go above and beyond.’
Key clients
- 10x Genomics
- 9amHealth
- Alpine Investors
- Avadel Pharmaceuticals
- Carlsmed, Inc.
- CG Oncology, Inc.
- Chugai Pharmaceutical
- Codexis
- Crinetics Pharmaceuticals
- CSPC Pharmaceutical Group Limited
- Dewpoint Therapeutics
- DNA Genotek; OraSure Technologies, Inc
Work highlights
Represented Shoreline Biosciences Inc. against several patent infringement claims.
Providing strategic patent counseling and prosecution services to Genentech.
Managing patent strategy for Seagen, a global biotechnology company developing and commercializing innovative, empowered monoclonal antibody-based therapies for cancer treatment.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Practice head
Michael Ward
Other key lawyers
Daralyn Durie; Brigid Bondoc; Catherine Polizzi; Karen Potter; Jie Zhou; Janet Xiao; Matthew Karlyn; Todd Krause; Bindu Donovan; Alyssa Monsen