Life Sciences & Pharmaceuticals

Banner & Witcoff enjoys a rich history in the practice of patent law dealing with biotechnology sciences issues. One of the firm’s early cases in this industry was its successful representation of the inventor in the seminal Supreme Court case of Diamond v. Chakrabarty. In that case the Court held for the first time that a living, genetically-altered microorganism constituted patentable subject matter. The Chakrabarty decision spurred new interest in patents, particularly in the then-nascent biotechnology industry.

Our attorneys who practice in this area include practitioners with Ph.D. degrees, as well as other attorneys with advanced degrees and substantial experience in all phases of life sciences and pharmaceutical practice. These qualifications give our lawyers the ability to collaborate with bench scientists and in-house counsel.

The firm’s life sciences and pharmaceutical practice includes client counseling and opinion work; all phases of patent prosecution, including appeals, reexaminations and interferences; and enforcement. Our clients include global corporations, academic institutions and start-up companies. Technologies in which our attorneys are skilled include: