IP Strategy Summit: Biotech & Pharma – Boston

May 14, 2025
Boston

The Forum for BioPharma IP Leadership

 

The IP Strategy Summit: Biotech & Pharma – Boston brings together IP leaders and in-house counsel navigating the evolving complexities of intellectual property in BioPharma. This summit delivers practical insights into emerging strategies as the biopharma landscape continues to transform.

In today’s environment of aggressive patent challenges, accelerated innovation timelines, and heightened competitive pressures, effective IP approaches are more critical than ever.  This summit provides the tested frameworks and litigation insights necessary to protect and maximize the value of your IP portfolio. Distinguished experts will share battle-tested strategies for optimizing IP value across the full innovation lifecycle—from early stage research protection through post-approval market exclusivity extensions.  Participants will gain valuable insights into current enforcement trends, streamlining portfolio management, and implementing cost-effective monetization strategies aligned with business objectives.

Join us on May 14th!  Register now to reserve your place at this exclusive event.

Key Topics
  • Strategic Portfolio Management: Balancing Cost, Coverage, and Value in Biopharma
  • Navigating Global Patent Prosecution: Strategies for Complex Jurisdictions
  • Precision Patenting: Drafting Strong Claims in the Biotech and Pharma Sectors
  • Trade Secrets vs. Patents: Safeguarding Biopharma Innovations in High-Stakes Litigation
  • Monetizing IP Assets: Licensing, Collaborations, and Alternative Revenue Streams
  • Artificial Intelligence in Biotech & Pharma IP: Opportunities and Legal Challenges
Attendees
  • Chief IP Counsel
  • Chief Legal Officer
  • VP & Director of IP Strategy
  • Chief, Deputy, Associate and/or Assistant General Counsel
  • General Counsel
  • Intellectual Property, Trademark, and Copyright Counsel
  • Head of Litigation
  • Director of Business and Legal Affairs
  • Director/VP of Intellectual Property
  • Director/VP of Licensing
  • IP Counsel
  • Patent Counsel
  • Corporate Counsel

Agenda

7:50 am
Registration Opens + Breakfast Begins + One-to-One Meetings

One-to-One Meetings Begin. If interested in participating, email info@centerforceusa.com

8:50 am
Opening Comments
9:00 am
Strategic Portfolio Management: Balancing Cost, Coverage, and Value in Biopharma

In the competitive biopharma industry, adopting a strategic approach to patent portfolio management is crucial for success. This panel will provide actionable insights on optimizing global patent coverage, balancing costs with R&D budgets, and aligning patent strategies with broader business objectives. Experts will also explore methods to identify high-value assets, streamline portfolio maintenance, and evaluate ROI using advanced tools and techniques.

This panel will discuss:

  • Aligning R&D investments with long-term business goals through effective patent evaluation
  • Pruning underperforming patents to reduce maintenance costs and maximize portfolio value
  • Managing global patent coverage while controlling expenses and addressing complexities
  • Leveraging innovative tools and technologies to enhance portfolio management efficiency
Gerald Peake
Corporate Counsel
Charm Sciences
Stephen Quinlan
VP, Legal
BostonGene
Bryan Zerhusen
Chair, Life Sciences Practice Group
Cantor Colburn
9:45 am
Navigating Global Patent Prosecution: Strategies for Complex Jurisdictions

How do you balance rising challenges and opportunities when prosecuting patents in complex global jurisdictions such as China, the EU, and India? Panelists will offer practical advice on overcoming examination hurdles, staying compliant with evolving regulatory standards, and leveraging Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH) programs to streamline the process. Attendees will gain actionable strategies to protect their innovations and successfully navigate the unique patent landscapes of these key markets.

This panel will discuss:

  • Best practices for overcoming examination challenges in key markets like China, the EU, and India
  • Strategies for navigating the ever-changing patent regulations in international jurisdictions
  • Insights into leveraging PPH programs to accelerate patent prosecution timelines
  • Analyzing regional trends and risks in global patent prosecution
Mark Nickas
Patent Attorney
Omega Therapeutics
Alison Kessler
VP, Legal Corporate & IP
Solid Biosciences
10:30 am
Networking Break + One-to-One Meetings

Scheduled One-to-One Meetings. If interested in participating, email info@centerforceusa.com

11:10 am
Precision Patenting: Drafting Strong Claims in the Biotech and Pharma Sectors

Crafting strong patent claims is crucial for safeguarding biotech and pharma innovations, particularly in transformative areas like gene editing, emerging therapies, and digital health. This panel will offer actionable strategies for structuring claims that can withstand legal scrutiny, address Section 101 challenges, and strike a balance between broad protection and enforceability.

This panel will discuss:

  • Drafting precise claims for biopharma innovations, such as gene therapies and digital health products
  • Navigating Section 101 challenges to ensure compliance and strengthen patent applications
  • Ensuring claims are broad enough to protect core innovations while maintaining legal defensibility
  • Refining claim language to enhance enforceability in litigation and licensing scenarios
Dmitry Kryndushkin
Director, Intellectual Property
Encodia, Inc.
Yonghao Hou
Director, Patent Attorney
Regeneron
Nitin Virmalwar
Vice President, Head of Intellectual Property & Privacy Officer
Stoke Therapeutics
11:55 am
Trade Secrets vs. Patents: Safeguarding Biopharma Innovations in High-Stakes Litigation

How do you determine whether to protect your biopharma innovations through trade secrets or patents? In this session, industry leaders will share best practices for evaluating the risks and rewards of each approach and offer guidance on selecting the most effective protection strategy. Panelists will provide actionable insights on mitigating risks in high-stakes litigation scenarios while ensuring innovations remain secure and competitive.

This panel will discuss:

  • Pros and cons of protecting biopharma innovations through trade secrets versus patents
  • Strategies for safeguarding confidential information from internal and external threats
  • Recent legal decisions shaping the enforcement of trade secrets and patents
  • Balancing risk and reward when choosing an IP protection strategy
Ksenia Takhistova
Chief Legal Officer
LCM Biosensor Technologies
Doyon Won
Senior Counsel
Intellia Therapeutics, Inc.
12:40 pm
Lunch + One-to-One Meetings

Scheduled One-to-One Meetings. If interested in participating, email info@centerforceusa.com

1:25 pm
Monetizing IP Assets: Licensing, Collaborations, and Alternative Revenue Streams

This session will focus on innovative strategies for monetizing IP assets in the biopharma industry. Panelists will discuss how companies can unlock revenue potential through licensing agreements, joint ventures, and technology transfer deals. Attendees will gain insights into balancing financial risk and reward while ensuring compliance with antitrust and regulatory requirements to maximize the value of their IP portfolios.

This panel will discuss:

  • Structuring licensing agreements to create sustainable revenue streams for biopharma companies
  • Identifying opportunities for collaborations and joint ventures that leverage existing IP assets
  • Balancing financial risk and reward in effective monetization strategies
  • Compliance considerations, including antitrust and regulatory requirements, when monetizing IP assets
Sylvia Yip
Intellectual Property Counsel
Zentalis Pharmaceuticals
Chris Slavinsky
Chief Business & Legal Officer - Life Sciences
HanAll Biopharma
2:10 pm
Artificial Intelligence in Biotech & Pharma IP: Opportunities and Legal Challenges

Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming the biotech and pharmaceutical industries, and staying informed about its impact is critical to success. Join AI experts and explore how AI is driving innovation in drug discovery, the steps organizations should take to streamline IP portfolio management, and the opportunities it opens up for patent creation. The discussion will also address the challenges of patenting AI-related inventions, including navigating evolving regulations and tackling algorithmic bias in litigation. Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of the opportunities and risks associated with integrating AI into their IP strategies.

This panel will discuss:

  • How AI is revolutionizing drug discovery and creating patentable innovations in the biotech and pharma sectors
  • The complexities of patenting AI-driven inventions, including overcoming regulatory and technical hurdles
  • Strategies for using AI tools to manage and optimize IP portfolios more effectively
  • Addressing legal challenges related to algorithmic bias and its potential implications in IP litigation
Denise Butler
Senior Director & Tech Legal Team Lead
Johnson & Johnson
William Coppola
Executive Director, Intellectual Property
Celularity Inc.
Ellen Scordino
Partner
DLA Piper
2:55 pm
Proactive Patent Litigation Strategies: Avoiding Costly Mistakes

In the high-stakes world of biotech and pharmaceutical patents, a proactive litigation strategy can mean the difference between protecting innovation and facing costly legal battles. Companies must assess risks early, build strong defenses, and make strategic litigation decisions to safeguard their IP while controlling costs. This session will explore how in-house teams can optimize their approach to patent disputes and litigation preparedness.

This session will discuss:

  • Identifying and mitigating litigation threats before they escalate to avoid unnecessary exposure
  • Best practices for in-house teams to develop a resilient defense strategy and leverage outside counsel effectively
  • Utilizing AI and analytics to forecast case outcomes and enhance decision-making
3:25 pm
Orange Book Listability

Whether a patent has been properly listed in the Orange Book is emerging as a hotly contested issue in counterclaims, antitrust suits, and FTC investigations.  What does the landscape look like now and how will this play out in your next Hatch-Waxman case?

Ronald Cahill
Partner
Barnes & Thornburg LLP
3:55 pm
Keynote: Fireside chat with USPTO Judge Georgianna Witt Braden

Strategically Utilizing the PTAB in Biotech & Pharma: Practical Insights from the Bench

Judge Georgianna Witt Braden
Lead Administrative Patent Judge for PTAB
USPTO
Steven Camac
Founder and President
Centerforce Conferences
4:40 pm
Networking Break + One-to-One Meetings

Scheduled One-to-One Meetings. If interested in participating, email info@centerforceusa.com

4:50 pm
Roundtable Sessions

Rotating, 20-Minute sessions lead by topic experts:

Roundtable 1: Orange Book Listability
Presented by: Ron Cahill, Partner, Barnes & Thornburg

Roundtable 2: Defending Against Patent Validity Challenges: Winning at PTAB and Beyond

Roundtable 3: Patent Damages in Biopharma: Maximizing Value and Managing Litigation Risk

Ronald Cahill
Partner
Barnes & Thornburg LLP
6:05 pm
Closing Comments, Cocktail Hour + One-to-One Meetings

Scheduled One-to-One Meetings. If interested in participating, email info@centerforceusa.com

Speakers

Ronald Cahill
Partner
Barnes & Thornburg LLP
Gerald Peake
Corporate Counsel
Charm Sciences
Mark Nickas
Patent Attorney
Omega Therapeutics
Dmitry Kryndushkin
Director, Intellectual Property
Encodia, Inc.
Ksenia Takhistova
Chief Legal Officer
LCM Biosensor Technologies
Doyon Won
Senior Counsel
Intellia Therapeutics, Inc.
Sylvia Yip
Intellectual Property Counsel
Zentalis Pharmaceuticals
Chris Slavinsky
Chief Business & Legal Officer - Life Sciences
HanAll Biopharma
Bryan Zerhusen
Chair, Life Sciences Practice Group
Cantor Colburn
Denise Butler
Senior Director & Tech Legal Team Lead
Johnson & Johnson
Yonghao Hou
Director, Patent Attorney
Regeneron
William Coppola
Executive Director, Intellectual Property
Celularity Inc.
Stephen Quinlan
VP, Legal
BostonGene
Ellen Scordino
Partner
DLA Piper
Nitin Virmalwar
Vice President, Head of Intellectual Property & Privacy Officer
Stoke Therapeutics
Alison Kessler
VP, Legal Corporate & IP
Solid Biosciences
Judge Georgianna Witt Braden
Lead Administrative Patent Judge for PTAB
USPTO
Steven Camac
Founder and President
Centerforce Conferences

Sponsors

Venue

TBA
Boston, MA

Pricing

Register By In House Counsel Law Firms & Vendors
April 16th, 2025 0.00 Contact info@centerforceusa.com
April 30th, 2025 0.00 Contact info@centerforceusa.com
May 14th, 2025 0.00 Contact info@centerforceusa.com
Term and Conditions / Payment Policy
  • Payment is due in full at the time of registration and includes lunches, refreshments and detailed conference materials.
  • Your registration will not be confirmed until payment is received and may be subject to cancellation.
Cancellation, Postponement and Substitution Policy
  • You may substitute delegates at any time. CenterForce does not provide refunds for cancellations.
  • For cancellations received in writing more than seven (7) days prior to the conference you will receive a 100% credit to be used at another CenterForce conference for up to one year from the date of issuance.
  • For cancellations received seven (7) days or less prior to an event (including day 7), no credit will be issued. In the event that CenterForce cancels an event, delegate payments at the date of cancellation will be credited to a future CenterForce event. This credit will be available for up to one year from the date of issuance.
  • In the event that CenterForce postpones an event, delegate payments at the postponement date will be credited towards the rescheduled date. If the delegate is unable to attend the rescheduled event, the delegate will receive a 100% credit representing payments made towards a future CenterForce event. This credit will be available for up to one year from the date of issuance. No refunds will be available for cancellations or postponements.
  • CenterForce is not responsible for any loss or damage as a result of a substitution, alteration or cancellation/postponement of an event. CenterForce shall assume no liability whatsoever in the event this conference is cancelled, rescheduled or postponed due to a fortuitous event, Act of God, unforeseen occurrence or any other event that renders performance of this conference impracticable or impossible. For purposes of this clause, a fortuitous event shall include, but not be limited to: war, fire, labor strike, extreme weather or other emergency.
  • Please note that speakers and topics were confirmed at the time of publishing, however, circumstances beyond the control of the organizers may necessitate substitutions, alterations or cancellations of the speakers and/or topics. As such, CenterForce reserves the right to alter or modify the advertised speakers and/or topics if necessary. Any substitutions or alterations will be updated on our web page as soon as possible.
Cancellation, Postponement and Substitution Policy
  • All discounts must require payment at time of registration and before the cut-off date in order to receive any discount.
  • Any discounts offered whether by CenterForce (including team discounts) must also require payment at the time of registration.
  • All discount offers cannot be combined with any other offer.
Scroll to Top