Webinars
SLW Life Sciences Webinar Series: Patenting Pharmaceutical Solid Forms Revisited
We revisit the patenting of pharmaceutical solid forms—especially crystalline polymorphs—by integrating scientific, regulatory, and legal considerations. Polymorphs are often a central concern in drug performance, lifecycle management, and Hatch Waxman litigation, and they are valuable IP assets for both innovators and generics. We discuss drafting strategies and illustrate common pitfalls in claim drafting. In view of the global market importance of polymorphs, we survey varying patent law challenges in major jurisdictions, framing polymorph patenting that calls for highly data-driven, jurisdiction-sensitive strategies requiring close coordination between science and legal doctrine.
Steven Reid is a principal at SLW whose practice entails the procurement of patents and related counseling in the chemical arts, particularly in the areas of small molecules, pharmaceuticals, and solid forms of pharmaceuticals. He also conducts and advises clients on intellectual property due diligence investigations for transactions including merger, acquisition, and licensing matters. A synthetic organometallic chemist, he earned a Ph.D. in inorganic chemistry from MIT, held several postdoctoral research appointments, and served as a patent examiner in a small molecule pharmaceuticals art unit at the U.S. PTO prior to law school.
David VanVliet is a registered patent attorney at SLW. He holds a Ph.D. in Medicinal Chemistry and has over 15 years of experience in pharmaceutical drug development prior to attending law school. He has experience in most aspect of chemistry, including small and large molecule pharmaceuticals, polymers and material science. His practice involves nearly all aspects of patent application preparation, patent prosecution, and portfolio management along with extensive experience in freedom to operate, invalidity and non-infringement opinion drafting. His legal experience also includes due diligence for mergers and acquisitions along with portfolio valuation and analysis.
Ryan Connell is a principal at SLW, practicing intellectual property law with an emphasis on chemical engineering, materials science, biotechnology, and organic chemistry. Ryan also has experience in a variety of mechanical and electro-mechanical related arts.