DeAnn F. Smith
DeAnn Smith is a registered U.S. patent attorney with over 15 years of experience in obtaining worldwide patent protection for clients and advising them on matters relating to intellectual property portfolio strategy, including development, implementation and management of intellectual assets.
DeAnn’s areas of technology emphasis include pharmaceuticals, biotechnology and chemical product applications, with particular focus on immunology, genomics, gene therapy, proteomics and drug development. She understands the business implications of establishing and implementing intellectual property strategy, having served as in-house counsel for a pharmacogenomic/diagnostic biotechnology client.
In the area of intellectual property disputes, DeAnn has been involved in numerous interference proceedings and patent infringement matters, including Section 337 actions before the International Trade Commission. As part of this work she regularly offers non-infringement, invalidity, validity and clearance opinions to clients.
Before joining Foley Hoag LLP, DeAnn was a partner in the biotechnology/chemistry patent group of another major law firm.
Bars and Court Admissions
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- U.S. Patent & Trademark Office (Agency)
professional / civic involvement
- Massachusetts, Michigan, and American Bar Associations, Member
- Boston Patent Law Association, Member
- American Intellectual Property Law Association (AIPLA), Chairperson of the Biotechnology Committee
SPEECHES AND CONFERENCES
- "A Case Study of Biotechnology-Related Action Before the International Trade Commission (ITC)," BIO 2008 International Convention, 2008
- “Evolving Issues in the Written Description Requirement,” Practicing Law Institute, Preparing Patent Legal Opinions, September 2006, 2005, 2004
- “Nanotechnology: the Private Practitioners Perspective,” AIPLA Mid-Winter Institute, January 2005
- Co-Chairperson of the AIPLA “Advanced Chemical and Biotechnology Patent Practice Seminar,” Seattle, St. Louis, Delaware, 2004
- Lectured on numerous topics relating to biotechnology patent law for the American Intellectual Property Law Association, the Association of University Technology Managers, the Association of European Science and Technology Transfer Professionals, as well as various private groups
publications
Biotech's Biggest Blockbusters, Managing Intelletual Property Magazine (June 2008)
Big Pharma Looks to Generics and Biotech for Growth, Managing Intellectual Property Magazine