21 January 2025USA Patents 2024

Squire Patton Boggs

Firm overview:

The long-standing client relationships that Squire Patton Boggs has fostered are a testament to the calibre of its patent practice. The firm offers a complete range of domestic and international patent services, including drafting, filing and prosecuting applications and developing robust global portfolios.

In contentious matters, Squire Patton Boggs draws on a deep bench of technical and scientific expertise to face off with larger IP practices and has established a reputation for success. Life sciences companies—particularly branded pharmaceutical firms pursuing litigation against generics manufacturers—favour the firm for its ability to quickly and readily understand their products and business objectives.

Team overview:

Partner David Elkins leads the global Intellectual Property & Technology Practice Group and serves as lead trial and arbitration counsel in disputes involving patents as well as trademarks, trade secrets, trade dress, copyrights and false advertising.

Tamara Fraizer heads up the firm’s IP & Technology litigation practice in the US. A patent attorney and litigator, Fraizer’s experience spans industries including pharmaceuticals, biotech, healthcare-related consumer products, and software.

Key matters:

Non-Contentious:

  • The team advised patent prosecution client BioElectron Technology on its acquisition by PTC Therapeutics in 2019 for $210 million, and now represents PTC Therapeutics on the portfolio. This includes developing an IP portfolio around therapeutics for treating and preventing mitochondrial disorders and diseases.
  • Squire Patton Boggs advises Biogen on the worldwide patent portfolio for multi-million dollar antibody therapeutic Tysabri (natalizumab).
  • The firm is advising University of California, Davis on the development and management of a patent portfolio covering US Food and Drug Administration-approved product Zulresso for postpartum depression.

Contentious:

  • Unicorn Global and Hangzhou Chic Intelligent Technology v DGL Group.

Squire Patton Boggs represented DGL Group in a patent infringement suit related to hoverboards. The suit was a bet-the-company litigation as the plaintiffs seek millions of dollars in damages and an injunction that would prevent DGL from selling hoverboards, its predominant product line.

DGL successfully petitioned the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) to institute an inter partes review of the patent-in-suit. The board is expected to issue a final written decision finding all claims to be unpatentable. The decision was not appealed and the district court case was dismissed.

  • Sakata Seed America v Mitsuo Seed and Priority Seed.

The firm represents Sakata Seed, which has filed a patent suit against Mitsuo Seed and Priority Seed alleging infringement of a patent related to an inbred broccoli line and the use of it in creating hybrids.

Clients:

Biogen, Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations, DGL Group, Eaton Corporation, SunFlora, PTC Therapeutics, QuantumScape Battery, Quest USA, Sakata Seed America, University of California Davis.