Revolutionizing Medicine: The Race to Unlock the Power of Gene Therapy and Build a Competitive Edge
Gene therapies have been the subject of tremendous research and investment in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical fields. In this session, presenters Sheena Wang and Aydin Harston from Rothwell Figg will provide an overview of gene therapy technologies, focusing on CRISPR, the major players in the field, and the patent landscape in this competitive field that is slated to revolutionize medicine.
The program will discuss the following topics:
- Overview of CRISPR technology
- Overview of the patent and competitive landscape of CRISPR technologies
- Analysis of past trends and predictions for the field as it matures
- Key considerations for companies seeking to enter this field
- Considerations for companies seeking to maximize patent protection on existing CRISPR technologies
Aydin Harston, Ph.D. | Member | Rothwell Figg
Dr. Aydin Harston integrates scientific expertise with legal experience to help his clients grow, protect, and defend the intellectual property that powers their businesses. Concentrating in the areas of pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, medical devices, health technology, chemicals, and mechanical devices and materials, he counsels and advocates for his clients in both prosecuting patents and managing patent portfolios and in the courtroom, where he is an experienced litigator who handles every aspect of patent-related cases. Aydin has prosecuted over a thousand patent applications, and he regularly handles IP diligence projects, participates in litigation teams representing clients in Federal district courts and at the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, and represents clients in inter partes review, appeal, and reexamination proceedings before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Originally a scientist with a Ph.D. in biochemistry, he has devoted his career to studying and working with various aspects of science and technology. Based on his own research path and obtaining both novel and non-obvious results, he now focuses on helping inventors protect their discoveries. He devises creative and simple solutions and explanations for complex situations that enable clients to achieve their goals as efficiently as possible. Aydin is an Editor of two firm blogs: RF EMerge, a resource for early-stage companies, and Biosimilars Law Bulletin, covering updates related to biologics and biosimilars under the Biologics Price Competition and Innovation Act (BPCIA). He has a B.S. in Biochemistry from the University of Maryland, College Park, a Ph.D. in Biochemistry from the University of Maryland, College Park, and a J.D. from The George Washington University Law School (with honors).
Sheena Wang | Associate | Rothwell Figg
With a master’s degree in biotechnology and a bachelor of science with a double major in genetics and cell biology, Sheena Wang brings a background in both law and science to her role, integrating both in support of the firm’s practice and clients. Her wide reaching practice includes patent prosecution, patent litigation, client counseling, and trademark cases. In patent prosecution, she has drafted and filed patent applications in the biotechnology space, has experience building patent portfolios, and has conducted due diligence investigations covering FTO, patentability, landscape, company acquisitions, asset acquisitions, investments, etc. With respect to litigation, she has participated in litigation teams representing clients in the biotechnology industry and with regard to trademark matters. Before joining the firm, Sheena worked on genetics research projects on topics including polymorphisms associated with various autoimmune diseases, and genetic markers for use in plant classification, identification, and phylogenics studies. She also has wide-ranging knowledge of the pharmaceutical industry through her work in various phases of the drug development process. These include vaccine analytical development, and clinical trials from both laboratory and clinical settings. Sheena has a B.Sc. in Cell Biology and Genetics from the University of Western Ontario (with honors), a M.S. in Biotechnology from Johns Hopkins University, and a J.D. from Washington and Lee University School of Law.
