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Largest Independent Patent Law Firm in NC Chosen for Inaugural Event at Biotech Center

Myers Bigel Sibley & Sajovec, P.A. (Myers Bigel), the largest independent patent law firm in North Carolina, recently shared information and best practices in biotechnology patents at the inaugural Triangle Biotech Research Symposium held at the NC Biotechnology Center in Research Triangle Park.

Patent attorney Shawna Lemon, Ph.D., J.D., delivered the presentation "Industry + University + Start-Up = RTP; Embracing Serendipity and Protecting Innovation" at the event on August 21st, addressing a packed house of biotech professionals.

"What resonated with a number of people were my comments regarding patent strategy, specifically timing of filing, which will be impacted by upcoming changes to implement a first-to-file system effective March 16, 2013," Dr. Lemon said.

In her presentation, Dr. Lemon -- whose practice areas include biotechnology, pharmaceutical, and chemical -- examined how patents are used within universities, startups and established companies; visited the dangers of weak patents; and gave insight into when innovators should consider beginning the patent process.

"If a claim is written too narrowly, it may be difficult to enforce it successfully when challenged," she said, pointing to the importance of protecting innovation from competitor design-around when putting together strong patents.

Like her peers at Myers Bigel, Dr. Lemon utilizes her combination of scientific and patent law expertise to relate to inventors and fully comprehend the nuances of each patent application she is developing for clients, covering the full scope of an invention so the patent can stand up to legal challenges. The firm's Biotechnology practice group represents many corporate, university and research institute clients throughout the United States in areas including oncology, cardiovascular disease, women's health, autoimmune disease, infectious disease, bone disease, pulmonary disorders, gastrointestinal disease and vaccines.

With a B.S. in Biology and Doctorate in Biomedical Sciences (with a concentration in pharmacology), Dr. Lemon is joined in the Biotechnology practice group by attorneys Erin Bobay, B.A. in Chemistry and Biology and Master's in Biochemistry; Alice Bonnen, Ph.D., B.S. and Master's in Plant Physiology, Doctorate in Plant Pathology; Karen Magri, Ph.D., B.S. in Animal Science, Master's in Animal Science, and Doctorate in Biology; Mary Miller, Ph.D., B.A. in Microbiology, Doctorate in Philosophy; Sherry Murphy, B.A. in Neuroscience (with a focus on Molecular Biology, Chemistry and Mathematics); Adam Rucker, B.S. in Agricultural Biotechnology and Biology, Master's in Neuroscience; Robert Schwartzman, Ph.D., B.S. in Chemistry, Doctorate in Pharmacology; and Ken Sibley, B.A. in Biology and Psychology, Master's in Neurobiology.

Myers Bigel has strived to achieve continuity of counsel, making a serious investment in building a stable team of practicing patent lawyers with unique technical backgrounds heavily engaged in improving their work, according to Managing Partner Jim Cannon.

"Our knowledgeable patent law experts continue to draft and prosecute an impressive number of patent applications in a wide range of technologies," Cannon said.

In addition to Biotechnology, other practice groups at Myers Bigel include Chemical, Electronics and Computing, Mechanical, Trademark, University and Litigation.

According to Cannon, the extraordinarily low turnover of attorneys at Myers Bigel allows clients to work with the same attorney familiar with their specific technology or science and individual business throughout the full length of the patent application filing and grant process.

"Without needing to re-learn the technology or business specifics, our attorneys can focus on quality to ensure development of a strong patent that can be successfully enforced in court," he explained.

Myers Bigel attorneys are dedicated to furthering best practices in patent law, regularly participating in regional and national symposia, seminars, and continuing education events like the Triangle Biotech Research Symposium.

The firm provides expertise in all intellectual property areas, including trademark and copyrights, as well as patents. Operating out of the Research Triangle Park area of North Carolina, Myers Bigel represents corporate and university clients located in the Carolinas, throughout the Southeast, across the United States, and in Europe and Asia.

For more information, visit www.myersbigel.com.

About Myers Bigel

Myers Bigel Sibley & Sajovec, P.A. (Myers Bigel) is an intellectual property law firm combining patent law expertise with a stable continuity of counsel to produce quality patents that stand up to scrutiny. We are the largest independent patent law firm in North Carolina, continually ranked among the top national firms by well-respected legal media and industry organizations. Our knowledgeable, vibrant team of attorneys with degreed technical experience successfully acquires, protects, enforces and defends patent assets and intellectual property in a variety of fields including biotechnology, chemistry, electronics and computing, mechanical, trademark, and university practice groups, as well as in litigation. Headquartered in Raleigh in the Research Triangle Park region of North Carolina with clients spanning the globe, we remain active in symposia, seminars, and continuing education efforts to further best practices in intellectual property protection and enforcement.