Brian has served on the firm’s Executive Committee since 2018 and is Partner in Charge of the Boston office.
Embracing innovation and contributing to thought leadership in his field, Brian works diligently to stay at the forefront of legal developments while becoming integrated into the client’s day-to-day operations. He believes in full communication and being proactive to prevent future problems around a client’s patent state. He said, “We have built a large bench of successful, experienced chemists who deliver high-quality work products in a timely manner. Time to market is critical and clients need to know we are focused on their best interests, so they maintain the rights to their inventions.”
Brian is a trained organic chemist and has extensive experience prosecuting and assessing patent portfolios in all aspects of the chemical arts, including small molecules and biologics. This experience includes developing patent strategies from discovery to commercialization, and includes prosecuting portfolios covering:
- a JAK 1/2 inhibitor approved for the treatment of myelofibrosis, polycythemia vera, and steroid-refractory acute graft-versus-host disease.
- a long-actinginjectable atypical antipsychotic having activity against certain serotonin receptors.
- a c-Met inhibitor approved for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer.
- a PI3K inhibitor approved for the treatment of PIK3CA-related overgrowth spectrum.
- an antisense therapy for treatment of a particular form of muscular dystrophy.
He has deep familiarity with late-stage and clinical developments that, while a vital part of a robust patent portfolio, require an understanding of Federal Circuit case law history to assure successful coverage. Patents acquired in this space include:
- Administration routes
- Combination therapies
- Dosage forms
- Formulations
- Metabolites
- Medical devices
- Polymorph crystal forms
- Prodrugs
- Salt forms
- Synthesis procedures
- Strategies around patient package inserts
In addition to his pharmaceutical expertise, Brian has experience in non-life science chemistries, including polymers, materials science, process chemistry, electronic displays, fuel cell technology, biofuels, nutraceuticals, and food products. He also represents early-stage companies with their financing needs. Recent successes include:
- Representing a start-up radioligand therapy company through an up-to $1.75 billion acquisition by a large pharmaceutical company.
- Representing a start-up developing a pan-JAK inhibitor for lung-related conditions through a $40M series A financing.
- Representing a start-up developing new cancer treatments through a $175 million series B financing.
- Representing a start-up focusing on inflammation and age-related disorder treatments through a $90 million oversubscribed Series C financing.
WHEN ASKED …
Why did you become a lawyer?
I decided to practice law so I could leverage my chemistry and technical background to help protect advances in the pharmaceutical industry, which makes a difference in so many lives. Being a lawyer also allows me to communicate and work together with people. I am fortunate to interact daily with highly skilled, intelligent scientists, corporate executives, and colleagues. The work I do is intellectually stimulating and meaningful.
What do you do outside of work?
I am an enthusiastic marathon runner and enjoy the training process. I have completed 14 marathons since 2018, and have run each of the Boston, Philadelphia and New York marathons multiple times. It’s an honor to run in my home city; Boston hosts the world’s oldest marathon, one of the oldest consecutively held sporting events, and allows me to participate in “One Boston Day” in remembrance of the 2013 bombing victims.
