At Seed IP, we work with a wide range of clients on cutting-edge innovations for the health care industry. We understand patenting biotechnology advancements requires significant scientific knowledge. Our professionals, many with advanced degrees, know the technology and the industry. Immunology, molecular biology, biochemistry, and protein biology are only a few examples of our breadth of expertise. Our professionals combine impressive scientific credentials with in-depth knowledge of intellectual property law to shape strong, value-maximizing protection for our clients’ ideas and inventions.
Our biotechnology expertise:
Sam has expertise in U.S. and international patent matters pertaining to life science, chemical, and medical device technologies. Before joining Seed IP, Sam was a partner at Stoel Rives LLP (2006-2014) and served as senior intellectual property counsel at NPS Pharmaceuticals in Salt Lake City, Utah (2004-2006), as a patent attorney at Johnson & Johnson/ALZA Corp. in Mountain View, California (2001-2004), and as a patent agent and associate patent attorney at Task Britt in Salt Lake City (1998-2001).
Patent Agent
Anna's practice focuses on U.S. and foreign biotechnology and pharmaceutical patent matters including patent preparation and prosecution, as well as freedom-to-operate and patentability analyses. She received a Ph.D. (2007) in Biophysics from the University of Cambridge, UK. Anna also earned an M.S. (2003) in Chemistry(first class) and a B.S. (2002) in Chemistry (first class), both from the University of Cambridge, UK.
She received a Ph.D. (2007) in Biophysics from the University of Cambridge, UK. Anna also earned an M.S. (2003) in Chemistry (first class) and a B.S. (2002) in Chemistry (first class), both from the University of Cambridge, UK.
Partner
Brooke focuses her practice on the U.S. and foreign biotechnology patent matters, including patent procurement, licensing, and strategic portfolio management. She received a B.S. (summa cum laude) in Biology from the University of South Florida (2000) and a Ph.D. in Biology (with distinction) from Georgetown University (2005). Brooke was awarded a J.D. with High Honors and Order of the Coif from the University of Washington School of Law (2014).
Senior Associate
Christopher has over 10 years of experience as a patent professional representing clients primarily in pharmaceutical, biotechnology and material technology sectors. He focuses his practice on patent preparation and prosecution, global portfolio strategy and management, and providing legal opinions. In 1996, Chris received his M.S. in Chemistry from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where his research focused on the design and synthesis of self-complimentary molecules capable of molecular self-assembly. Chris also practiced as a business litigator in Honolulu, Hawaii, upon receiving his J.D. from the William S. Richardson School of Law, University of Hawai´i (Mānoa) in 2009. He received a B.S. in Chemistry from California State University in 1994. Chris served in the United States Navy as a nuclear propulsion plant operator aboard an Ohio-class submarine.
Partner
Daniel’s practice includes the preparation and prosecution of U.S. and international patent applications in the biotechnology/life sciences areas. Daniel also specializes in freedom-to-operate analysis and strategic counseling concerning the patent-related aspects of product life cycle management. He has a technical background in microbiology, cancer biology, cell biology, molecular biology, immunology, genetics, and biochemistry. Daniel earned a Ph.D. in Cancer Biology from Vanderbilt University Medical Center and holds a J.D. (cum laude) from Case Western Reserve University School of Law, where he earned a Law and Technology concentration with honors.
Partner
Eileen Sun's practice focuses on patent preparation, prosecution, and portfolio management for companies in the biotechnology sector, including immunotherapeutics, peptide therapeutics, antisense therapeutics, vaccines, molecular diagnostics, metabolic engineering of microorganisms, and drug formulations. She also assists clients in freedom-to-operate and patentability analyses for products in development and intellectual property due diligence.
Partner
Eric Harwood is the Chair of Seed’s Chemistry and Biotechnology Group. His practice focuses on chemical, pharmaceutical, and life science patent prosecution, strategy, and diligence matters. Eric earned a B.S. in Chemistry from the University of California at Davis (summa cum laude), and M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Organic Chemistry from the University of Washington in Seattle. He received a J.D. from the University of Washington School of Law, where he now serves as an Adjunct Professor.
Associate
Heather focuses her practice on patent preparation and prosecution of chemical, biotechnology, and pharmaceutical matters. Heather received her J.D. from the University of Washington (2020) where she was a student practitioner for the Entrepreneurial Law Clinic and an intern for the Washington Pro Bono Patent Network. She received a Ph.D. in Organic and Biological Chemistry from University of Washington (2017), and a B.S. (with Honors) in Chemistry from University of Montana (2010).
Patent Agent
Janaki focuses her practice on patent preparation and prosecution of biotechnology and pharmaceutical matters. She received her Ph.D. in Microbiology and Immunology from Temple University School of Medicine in 2018 and a B.S. in Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics from the University of Maryland in 2007.
Of Counsel
Jessica is an experienced IP attorney with a broad technical background in both the physical and life sciences. She is experienced in all phases of patent portfolio management with particular expertise in the assessment of patent portfolio strengths and weaknesses, technology transactions, and patent disputes within the pharmaceutical industry. Jessica received an M.S. in Biology from Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 2006, and a B.S. in Physics from University of Utah in 2002.She received her J.D. from Harvard Law School in 2010.
Partner
John Morgan's practice is focused on biotechnology patent prosecution, freedom-to-operate analysis, and due diligence. He has additional experience in the chemical and mechanical arts. John received a B.S. in biology from the University of Puget Sound in 2006, focusing on genetics and molecular biology. Prior to attending law school, John spent five years as a researcher at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research center in Seattle, Washington, where he studied the genetic mechanisms underlying brain development and cell growth.
Partner
Michelle LeCointe's practice centers on U.S. and international IP strategies and patent procurement as well as IP agreements for a broad array of technologies, with a focus on pharmaceuticals, biologics, medical devices, and rechargeable batteries. She also has substantial experience in corporate IP due diligence, U.S. and international post-grant contested proceedings, non-infringement and invalidity opinions, and patent litigation.
Michelle received a B.A. (magna cum laude) in Biochemical Sciences from Harvard University, in 1997. She received her J.D. from Columbia Law School, as a Harlan Fiske Stone Scholar, in 2000.
Partner
Becky helps biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies (including U.S., European and Chinese companies) obtain strategic patent protection for their technologies, minimize patent infringement risks, and facilitate their IP-related business transactions. She drafts and prosecutes patent applications related to various technologies, such as immunotherapeutics, proteins, genes, small molecules, pharmaceutical compositions, disease diagnosis and treatment, nucleic acid analysis, medical devices, and transgenic animals and plants. Becky also provides patentability, validity, freedom to operate, and non-infringement analyses and opinions in these areas.
Partner
Sam has expertise in U.S. and international patent matters pertaining to life science, chemical, and medical device technologies. Before joining Seed IP, Sam was a partner at Stoel Rives LLP (2006-2014) and served as senior intellectual property counsel at NPS Pharmaceuticals in Salt Lake City, Utah (2004-2006), as a patent attorney at Johnson & Johnson/ALZA Corp. in Mountain View, California (2001-2004), and as a patent agent and associate patent attorney at Task Britt in Salt Lake City (1998-2001).
Senior Associate
Michelle's practice is focused on patent procurement, licensing, and strategic intellectual property portfolio management in electrical and chemical matters.
Examples of expertise include semiconductors, materials science, batteries, electronics, optoelectronics, medical devices, nanotechnology, polymers, organic chemistry, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics. Michelle has successfully drafted and prosecuted numerous patent applications of U.S. and international patent matters for clients ranging from small startups to large global corporations.
She received a B.S. in Polymer Chemistry from Sichuan University (1992), an M.S. in Polymer Chemistry and Physics from Jilin University (1995), a second M.S. in Organic Chemistry from Northeastern University (1999), and a Ph.D. in Materials Science & Engineering/Nanotechnology from University of Washington (2003). Michelle holds a J.D. from the University of Washington School of Law (2011).
Senior Associate
Toby specializes in patent prosecution of chemistry, biotechnology, and pharmaceutical matters. Toby received his B.S. (2007) and M.S. (2009) degrees, both in Chemistry, from Western Washington University. Toby received his J.D. cum laude from Seattle University School of Law in 2016, where he was honored with the Presidential Scholarship Award and the Washington State Bar Association Intellectual Property Scholarship Award, and made the Dean’s List.