Overview

The Bioscience & Chemical Technology Group at Fredrikson & Byron blends broad scientific, industry, and entrepreneurial expertise to represent clients working in biotechnology, biochemistry and related health care and industrial fields.

Our client list is populated with start-ups and mid-cap companies, universities and institutions, and large corporations (both public and private) -- including those companies we've counseled from garage-based operations through IPO and industry leadership.

Scientific Backgrounds

Our lawyers have a range of scientific and advanced degrees -- some with current graduate training, others with senior experience navigating the complex interrelationships of business, law, and science.

Technologies covered include: genetics; genetic engineering; genomics; gene therapy; biochemistry; biomaterials; medical devices; pharmaceutical; drug delivery; antibodies; biotherapeutic agents; bioengineering; adjuvants; proteomics; recombinant proteins; cell delivery; cellular; petrochemical; microbial biology; pollution control; virology; diagnostics; nutritional supplements; functional goods; medical, agricultural and industrial applications; and related chemistry, including combinatory (or combinatorial) organic, polymer, analytical, and physical.

Industry Insight

Our attorneys have in-house experience derived from years in the medical device, chemical, health care, insurance, and general technology industries. Regulatory and government backgrounds include positions as pharmaceutical/biotechnology patent examiners and attorney general postings. Some of our attorneys have also been inventors and, therefore, understand the issues confronting individuals and companies pursuing intellectual property protection for their valuable ideas.

We commonly advise and assist clients in matters of capital formation, including acquiring or working with venture financing or grant funding from public and private sources. Our experience includes IP interactions with regulatory bodies and the FDA. When appropriate, we also draw on our range of relationships with regulatory and industry consultants.

Intellectual Property With a Business Perspective

Fredrikson & Byron offers a comprehensive patent practice within a full-service Intellectual Property Group; we have the capability to file, register, issue, prosecute, and litigate patents on a global basis. We also advise on strategic planning as well as building and enforcing competitive patent portfolios.

Along the way we work to ask questions and anticipate situations clients might not have considered in order to facilitate the creation of products, valuable assets, and options for growth or sale. This is extremely important within the bio sciences and related technologies arena, where multiple scientific perspectives, business strategies, and relevant market realities must be fully considered for a company to move ahead with strength. In that sense, we often operate as business advisors as well as legal counselors, working effectively in the nexus between small biotech firms and large pharmaceutical, chemical or agricultural concerns, helping clients get the most out of business models common to the industry.

Versatile Teaming Capabilities

Our lawyers' breadth of scientific expertise is especially valuable as companies grow and expand. We commonly mix and match talent, addressing intersections, for example, between organic chemistry, drug delivery devices, and gene therapy, or between gene therapy and monoclonal antibodies.

Our team-oriented approach enables us to provide effective representation across a number of other areas; we seamlessly engage other practice groups from the firm to address corporate matters, licensing, trademarks and service marks, securities, employment, real estate, and more.

Representative Clients

• Advanced Bio Surfaces, Inc.
• DiaSorin, Inc.
• Gel-Del Technologies, Inc.
• MEDTOX Scientific, Inc.
• Millennium Medical Technologies, Inc.
• Minformed, LLC
• Techne Corporation/R&D Systems
• Twin Star Medical, Inc.
• Wright Medical Technology, Inc.

Bios

Primary Attorneys

John F. Dolan
Kara K. Fairbairn
Philip M. Goldman
Matthew J.S. Graham
Robert J. Klepinski
Mia E. Mendoza
Adonis A. Neblett
Charles D. Segelbaum