The life sciences, food and agribusiness, and high-tech industries are focus areas for Morrison Foerster‘s ’fantastic’ patent prosecution group which is equipped to handle high-value and often cross-jurisdictional work. Michael Ward who works between Boston and San Francisco oversees the practice and harnesses a niche specialism in crop protection and plant IP work, as well as impressive experience handling patent portfolios and securing protection for new plant varieties. Also standouts in San Francisco are Jie Zhou and Anita Choi. Biopharma and tech are areas of particular focus in an IP context for Catherine Polizzi in Palo Alto. In San Diego, Karen Potter is focused on assisting companies with patent preparation, prosecution, and strategic counselling. Potter and Polizzi, along with San Francisco-based Jie Zhou, are described as ‘exceptional patent practitioners’. Boston-based Jonathan Bockman leads the practice on the East Coast; Bockman has noteworthy capabilities handling domestic and international level portfolio management, prosecution, due diligence and validity determination cases, as well as related litigation.
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Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Jie Zhou, Karen Potter, and Catherine Polizzi are all exceptional patent practitioners. They have a wealth of knowledge and experience in drafting and prosecuting life science patents. If you have a platform case, there is no team I would trust more to get meaningful patents granted.’
‘They have an excellent technical understanding of the company's core technology and have developed a patenting strategy, including scope and timing of patent protection, that has favorably impressed potential collaborators and investors. The MoFo team of attorneys, technical advisors, paralegals and administrators meets all of our needs in a timely and cost efficient manner.’
‘Karen never fails to bring good considerations and suggestions to discussions, and the process proceed efficiently. Karen Potter has frequently interfaced with company investors, collaborators and senior management, and without fail those interactions have produced results that all parties are happy with.’
‘Karen Potter and her fantastic team understand their clients' needs and provide pragmatic solutions. Karen and her team are a pleasure to work with and have great understanding of the field in which they work. We work together on cell therapy matters, and Karen has a particularly comprehensive understanding of the technology.’
‘The team is very diverse which is incredibly unique in this area of law.’
‘The partner Jie Zhou is incredibly responsive, knowledgeable and a pleasure to work with. She resources her team very well but is very involved and has full understanding of our needs and docket. The associates are also excellent and very motivated to provide business advice rather than legal textbook advice.'
‘The team is highly experienced and consistently produces high-quality work product.’
‘Combination of legal acumen and a conscientious focus on client needs. Catherine Polizzi is a stand-out partner.’
Key clients
- 10x Genomics
- Abraxis Bioscience
- Aimmune Therapeutics
- Ally Bridge Group
- Alpine Immune Sciences
- Aspen Neuroscience
- Bayer
- Benson Hill
- Bristol-Myers Squibb; Juno Therapeutics and Celgene (acquired by BMS)
- California Table Grape Commission
- Cartography Biosciences
- Cartography Biosciences
- CG Oncology, Inc.
- Cornell University
- Cytokinetics
- Dewpoint Therapeutics
- Driscoll’s
- Dynavax Technologies
- Enza Zaden
- Eureka Therapeutics, Inc.
- Genentech
- Gilead Sciences
- Hofseth Biocare
- Inari
- Indapta Therapeutics
- Invaio
- Johnson & Johnson
- Juno Therapeutics
- Lyndra Therapeutics
- Magic Leap, Inc.
- Maze Therapeutics
- Pillar Biosciences
- Pliant Therapeutics
- Praxis Biotech
- Santen Pharmaceutical Co.
- Seagen
- SNIPR Biome
- SoFresh
- Terviva
- Triastek, Inc.
- Tropic Biosciences
Work highlights
- Provided strategic patent counseling and prosecution services to Genentech, developing the company’s strategy for its multibillion-dollar portfolios, including blockbuster cancer drugs Kadcyla, Perjeta, Gazyva, and Tecentriq.
- Advised Driscoll's on vital patent strategy that keeps the company at the top of the ultra-competitive berry market.
- Advised Ally Bridge Group since its inception to conduct IP due diligence on its investment deals.
Lawyers
Hall of Fame
The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Catherine Polizzi
Morrison FoersterNext Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Anita Choi
Morrison FoersterPractice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Michael Ward