David P. Halstead Associate Ropes & Gray One International Place Boston, MA 02110-2624 T + 1-617-951-7615 F + 1-617-235-0704 + 1-617-854-2237 secretary E-mail

PRACTICES Corporate Life Sciences Intellectual Property Biotechnology Chemical Patent Prosecution & Applications Pharmaceutical Portfolio Evaluation and Management PTO: Interferences INDUSTRIES Life Sciences/Pharmaceutical

David advises clients on patent portfolios in diverse technologies, including novel chemical and biological therapies, pharmaceutical formulations and drug delivery devices, chemical synthesis, analytical methods and instruments, nanotechnology, diagnostic agents and methods, carbohydrate chemistry and therapeutics, and polymers. 

In addition to ex parte patent prosecution, David handles adversarial matters in the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office, including administrative appeals, interferences and recently introduced inter partes reexamination proceedings.  David has substantial international IP law experience working with many foreign patent offices, and has assisted clients with opposition proceedings in both Europe and Australia.

David helps clients devise effective patent strategies, manage product life-cycles, and navigate the existing patent landscape.  David advises clients regarding Hatch-Waxman and Orange Book issues, conducts due diligence on intellectual property portfolios, identifies potential freedom-to-operate issues, and prepares opinions on freedom-to-operate and patent validity issues.  In addition, David assists clients in protecting their commercial activities with trademarks and service marks.

David also helps clients put their intellectual property to work.  He drafts collaboration agreements, intellectual property licenses, material transfer agreements, non-disclosure agreements, and other documents that allow clients to create and manage relationships with partners, collaborators, investors, licensors, and licensees.  He also has experience assisting clients in intellectual property enforcement, including identifying and communicating with potential infringers, litigating patents, and arbitrating disputes.

Before beginning his legal career, David obtained his Ph.D. in organic chemistry from Harvard University, where he studied the synthesis of organic molecules and completed the total synthesis of discodermolide in the laboratory of Professor David A. Evans.  Drawing on the strong scientific foundation he obtained at Harvard, David has counseled clients in a wide variety of fields, including drug development, biotechnology, pharmaceutical formulation, drug delivery, chemical methodology, polymer science, medical devices, nanotechnology, and materials science.

Professional & Civic Activities

• Co-chair, Life Sciences Committee of the Boston Bar Association's Intellectual Property Section
• Board of Directors, Boston Early Music Festival
• Board of Trustees, Musica Sacra

• Boston Bar Association
• Massachusetts Bar Association
• American Chemical Society
• Boston Patent Law Association

• Massachusetts, 2003
• U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, 1999

• 2002, J.D., Harvard Law School
• 1999, Ph.D. (Organic Chemistry), Harvard University
• 1993, B.S. (Chemistry), summa cum laude, The Pennsylvania State University

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