2024-2025 Global AI Trends Guide
Melissa Schwaller, Ph.D.
Senior Attorney Intellectual Property
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Overview
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Experience
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Credentials
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Insights and events
Melissa focuses her practice on intellectual property within the life science and chemical industries. She has broad experience protecting intellectual property related to biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and plants.
She assists clients in seeking and maintaining patent and trademark protection and provides opinions regarding intellectual property issues. She has particular experience in freedom-to-operate, due diligence, and patentability opinions as well as post grant proceedings. Melissa has represented clients before the Patent and Trial Appeal Board. Additionally, Melissa prepares and reviews agreements regarding intellectual property rights.
Prior to joining Hogan Lovells, Melissa was a partner at an intellectual property firm in Houston. Melissa earned a Ph.D. in biochemistry from Baylor College of Medicine, where she studied protein folding. Melissa has authored multiple scientific publications and legal articles.
Representative experience
Prepared and prosecuted patent applications directed to small molecule drugs.
Prepared and prosecuted patent applications directed to biologics.
Represented a large pharmaceutical client in obtaining U.S. and foreign patent protection.
Performed freedom-to-operate analysis on orthobiologics.
Represented a large agrochemical and agricultural corporation in litigation regarding ownership of patent directed to crops genetically modified for herbicide resistance.
Credentials
Education
- J.D., University of Houston Law Center, 2004
- Ph.D. Biochemistry, Baylor College of Medicine, 2000
- M.A. Biochemistry, University of South Dakota, 1994
- B.S. Biology, University of South Dakota, 1992
Bar admissions and qualifications
- Texas
- U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
Court admissions
- U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of Texas
Memberships
- Fellow, Texas Bar Foundation
- Member, Association of University Technology Managers
Publications
Insights and Analysis
30 January 2024
News
Press releases
10 January 2024