Laura M. Lyons, Ph.D.

Patent Agent

+ 1 617 646 1632 + 1 617 646 1632
laura.lyons@finnegan.com laura.lyons@finnegan.com

Two Seaport Lane
Boston, MA 02210-2001

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Laura Lyons, Ph.D., applies her broad technical expertise in biochemistry and molecular biology to intellectual property matters in the biotechnology and life science fields.

Laura has experience drafting and prosecuting patent applications; conducting freedom-to-operate (FTO) analyses; and developing patentability, validity, and infringement opinions.

Prior to joining Finnegan, Laura obtained a doctorate in microbiology and immunology. Her doctoral research examined the molecular basis of resistance to the first-line antimalarial drug piperaquine to predict the path of emergence of piperaquine-resistant malaria parasites in Africa. As an undergraduate, Laura worked as a research fellow, where her projects focused on characterizing viral protein interactions. Through her academic research and education, Laura gained diverse technical experience, including in CRISPR/Cas9-based gene editing, molecular biology, immunology and protein expression and purification, which informs her work on prosecution matters.

Et Cetera

Coauthor. "tRNA modification reprogramming of Plasmodium falciparum as a feature of artemisinin resistance." Nature Microbiology, 2024.
Coauthor. "Additional PfCRT mutations driven by selective pressure for improved fitness can result in the loss of piperaquine resistance and altered Plasmodium falciparum physiology." mBio, 2024.
Recipient, Young Investigator Award, American Society of Tropical Medicine, 2022.
Coauthor. "Evidence for the early emergence of piperaquine-resistant Plasmodium falciparum malaria and modeling strategies to mitigate resistance." PLoS Pathogens, 2022.
Coauthor. "Mutant PfCRT can mediate piperaquine resistance in African Plasmodium falciparum with reduced fitness and increased susceptibility to other antimalarials," Journal of Infectious Diseases, 2022.
Recipient, Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) Predoctoral Individual Fellowship Award, National Institutes of Health, 2021-2023.
Coauthor. "Structure and drug resistance of the Plasmodium falciparum resistance transporter PfCRT," Nature, 2019.
Recipient, Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship, Washington University in St. Louis, 2017.

Experience

Comprehensive patent transactions and strategic counseling for one of the largest pharmaceutical companies in the world

Finnegan is lead and preferred IP transactions counsel for one of the largest pharmaceutical companies in the world, handling more than 50 diligence projects each year, including all IP and related transactional aspects of the matters. The transactions span the full gamut of technologies from small molecule through biologics such as antibodies, oligonucleotides, and gene therapies. Finnegan also provides extensive assistance with post-deal integration procedures and subsequent global prosecution and portfolio strategy, ensuring a seamless transition of IP assets to the company and maximum value from acquired IP.

Finnegan designed and prosecuted a global patent strategy with client Eisai on MORAb-202, an antibody-drug conjugate (ADC), providing pivotal support for Eisai’s exclusive, global strategic collaboration agreement with Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (BMS) to co-develop and co-commercialize the asset. Under the publicly announced financial terms of the agreement, BMS will pay Eisai $650 million, including $200 million as payment towards Eisai’s research and development expenses. Eisai is also entitled to receive up to $2.45 billion in potential future development, regulatory, and commercial milestones.

Admissions and Education

Admissions

U.S. Patent and Trademark Office

Education

Columbia University: Ph.D., Microbiology and Immunology, 2024

Washington University in St. Louis: B.A., Chemistry, cum laude, 2018

Laura's Practices

Diligence, Licensing, and Opinions: Due Diligence
Prosecution and Portfolio Management: Patent Drafting and Prosecution

Laura's Industries

Life Sciences: Biologics; Biotechnology