Seed Intellectual Property Law Group PLLC

BACKGROUND

Richard Sharkey specializes in U.S. and international patent matters pertaining to biotechnology and chemistry. His practice of more than twenty-four years is directed primarily toward client counseling, including providing patentability, validity and infringement opinions, and patenting and licensing technology. Richard has counseled on intellectual property matters a number of companies, inside and outside the Northwest, from their inception. One such example is GlycoMimetics, Inc., which was founded in May 2003 and in October 2011 successfully licensed its first lead compound (a therapeutic drug in Phase II clinical trials) and a portion of its patent estate to Pfizer Inc. Richard received an A.B. (cum laude) in Biology from Washington University in St. Louis (1974) and a Ph.D. in Chemistry (biochemistry thesis) from the University of California-San Diego (1980). He received his J.D. from the University of Washington (1987).

EXPERIENCE

Richard participated in Seed and Berry’s prosecution of Ex Parte Allen, in which the U.S. Patent Office Board of Appeals ruled that genetically engineered animals are patentable subject matter. He has lectured to companies and academic institutions on international patent protection. Richard’s professional experience includes work as a post-doctoral fellow in the Department of Pharmacology at the University of Washington School of Medicine. During his tenure there, he published articles pertaining to biochemistry, toxicology, neurobiology and membrane biology. Richard is a senior member of Seed IP and a former member of the Management Committee.

AFFILIATIONS

Richard is a member of the Washington State Bar and is registered to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. His professional affiliations include the American Intellectual Property Law Association, the Licensing Executives Society, the Washington State Patent Law Association, and the Washington Biotechnology & Biomedical Association.

HONORS AND AWARDS

• Listed inThe Best Lawyers in America®, 2005-2012.
• Washington Super Lawyers® honoree, 2004-2011.
• Listed in Seattle Metropolitan’s “Top Lawyers” issue, 2010.
• Top 40 Washington IP Super Lawyers® honoree, 2006 & 2008.
• Washington’s Most Amazing Attorneys® honoree, 2006.