Irell & Manella LLP

Elizabeth Tuan’s practice focuses primarily on patent litigation in a wide range of industries, including biotechnology and pharmaceuticals. Recently, she represented a biopharmaceutical company and a cancer institution in pursuing infringement of a patent claiming a novel cancer immunotherapy. The litigation ended in a $752 million jury verdict, which the judge enhanced to $1.2 billion.

Elizabeth’s practice also includes representing clients in post-grant proceedings challenging the validity of issued patents before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Most recently, she represented a patent owner in an inter partes review and successfully secured a final written decision rejecting each of the petitioner’s validity challenges in that proceeding. The Federal Circuit affirmed that decision in a summary affirmance.

Additionally, Elizabeth maintains an active pro bono practice. Most recently, she successfully argued on behalf of pro bono clients in front of the California Court of Appeal, which affirmed the decision of the trial court denying a petition to compel arbitration. The case settled favorably. Elizabeth is also a member of the firm’s Hiring and Diversity Committees, and recently served as the co-chair of the firm’s Summer Committee.

Elizabeth is conversant in Mandarin Chinese.