Life Sciences

Expert Analysis

• Biotech Cos. Must Respect Coexisting Gene Editing Patents

  

  The Federal Circuit's decision in the gene editing technology battle between the University of California and the Broad Institute provides that the two parties' patents can coexist. Biotech companies using this technology should seek licenses from both UC and the Broad Institute, say attorneys at Faegre Baker Daniels LLP.

• Opinion

  Orexigen Decision At Odds With High Court Jurisprudence

  

  The Ninth Circuit's decision last month in Khoja v. Orexigen Therapeutics — placing constraints on the record a court may consider in deciding falsity and scienter under the securities laws — countermands the U.S. Supreme Court’s direction to courts in Omnicare and Tellabs, say attorneys with BakerHostetler.

• What Manufacturers Should Know About Triclosan Findings

  

  A recent study suggests that triclosan, a common antibacterial agent, can promote colonic inflammation and cancer in mice when ingested at what the authors deem normal human exposure levels from using certain consumer products. But this research is unlikely to find its way into the courtroom, say Douglas Pfeifer and Richard Morgan of Bowman and Brooke LLP and Brent Kerger of Exponent Inc.

• Calif.'s New Rules For Lawyers Move Closer To ABA Model

  

  The first comprehensive overhaul of California's Rules of Professional Conduct in nearly 30 years becomes operational on Nov. 1. Some of the new rules mirror the model language used by the American Bar Association, but many continue to reflect California’s unique approach to certain ethical questions, says Mark Loeterman of Signature Resolution LLC.

• Surveying The Cannabis Patent Litigation Landscape

  

  As the cannabis market continues to grow, patent infringement suits will abound contingent on federal legalization. Some in the industry worry that many current cannabis patent claims are overbroad, but the availability of post-grant proceedings may provide a solution, say Tryn Stimart and Jean Dassie of Gibbons PC.

• Congressional Forecast: September

  

  The House and Senate are entering their respective final runs before the November midterm elections. The most pressing items of business are funding the government and the pending Senate confirmation of Brett Kavanaugh to the U.S. Supreme Court. But several lower-profile issues remain as well — including a Republican push for further tax reform, says Layth Elhassani of Covington & Burling LLP.

• Know The Limits To Atty Public Statements During A Trial

  

  The balancing act between protecting attorneys’ speech rights and ensuring unbiased adjudications was highlighted recently in two cases — when Michael Cohen applied for a restraining order against Stephanie Clifford's attorney, and when Johnson & Johnson questioned whether a Missouri talc verdict was tainted by public statements from the plaintiffs' counsel, says Matthew Giardina of Manning Gross & Massenburg LLP.

• Opinion

  FTC's Public Hearings Will Be Valuable

  

  On Thursday, the Federal Trade Commission began a series of hearings on competition and consumer protection in the 21st century. These events are an important first step in guiding enforcement priorities, says David Balto, a former policy director of the FTC Bureau of Competition.

• In Calif., Questions Remain On Law Firm Conflict Waivers

  

  In Sheppard Mullin v. J-M Manufacturing Co., the California Supreme Court ruled last month that a law firm's failure to disclose a known conflict with another current client did not categorically disentitle the firm from recovering fees. But the court didn’t provide hoped-for guidance on how to write an enforceable advance conflict waiver, says Richard Rosensweig of Goulston & Storrs PC.

• Q&A

  A Chat With Faegre Client Development Chief Melanie Green

  

  In this monthly series, Amanda Brady of Major Lindsey & Africa interviews management from top law firms about the increasingly competitive business environment. Here we feature Melanie Green, chief client development officer at Faegre Baker Daniels LLP.