Patrick J. Kelly, Ph.D. specializes in intellectual property matters that relate to the life sciences.  His clients include pharmaceutical, biotechnology and scientific instrumentation companies, as well as venture capitalists.  He has extensive experience as on-site intellectual property counsel to major pharmaceutical and scientific instrumentation corporations.  In this capacity he has worked on-site for one or more days a week to organize and maintain a biotech IP estate.  He has experience in conducting validity, due diligence and freedom to operate studies and in preparing and prosecuting patent applications relating to molecular biology.  His expertise includes knowledge of biochemistry, immunology, virology, proteomics, genomics, transgenic animals, drug delivery systems, and the preparation of proteins by recombinant DNA methods.

He earned his Bachelor's degree in biology from Georgetown University (B.S., 1984), his Master's degree in applied molecular biology from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (M.S., 1986), his doctorate in molecular biology from the Georgia Institute of Technology (Ph.D., 1991) and his law degree from Temple University (J.D., cum laude, 1997).  Dr. Kelly is a member of the American, Pennsylvania and Philadelphia Bar Associations.  He has made presentations relating to patent law at a variety of national conferences and to clients at their research facilities.

Dr. Kelly is registered to practice before the U. S. Patent and Trademark Office, and is admitted to practice in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Dr. Kelly joined Synnestvedt & Lechner LLP as a patent agent in 1991, became an associate in 1997 and a partner in 2001.

Year Joined Organization:

1991

Practice Groups:

Biotechnology and BioPharma
In-House Counsel

Bar Admissions:

Pennsylvania

U.S. Patent and Trademark Office

Education:

Temple University School of Law, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 1997
J.D.
Honors: Cum Laude

Georgia Institute of Technology, 1991
Ph.D.
Major:  Molecular Biology

University of Maryland Baltimore County, 1986
M.S.
Major:  Applied Molecular Biology

Georgetown University, 1984
B.S.
Major:  Biology

Professional Associations and Memberships:

American Bar Association

Member

Pennsylvania Bar Association

Member

Philadelphia Bar Association

Member

Philadelphia Intellectual Property Law Association

Member

Pennsylvania Biotechnology Association

Member