Mary C. Till

At the USPTO, Mary was primarily responsible for the administration of patent term restoration provisions of the Hatch-Waxman Act found in 35 U.S.C. 156. She reviewed hundreds of applications for patent term extension (PTE) based on the regulatory review of several blockbuster biologic and drug products. She is considered a thought leader and renowned expert, and her opinion on these matters is highly sought after.

Mary’s technical background encompasses diverse technologies across various industries within the pharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors, including small molecules, antibodies, pro-drugs, drug formulations, and vaccines. Her background informed her role as a key member of the USPTO - Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Collaboration Group and, as such, she possesses a profound understanding of the intersection of patent and regulatory law.

Prior to joining Finnegan, Mary was a senior legal advisor in the Office of Patent Legal Administration at the USPTO. Before serving in government, Mary worked in the IP department of a general practice firm, where she represented pharmaceutical and biotechnology clients in all aspects of patent matters, from portfolio management and analysis to opinions relating to patentability, freedom to operate, and enforceability.

Mary is exceptionally knowledgeable on USPTO patent policy, practice, and procedure, making her a sought after expert on these topics. Her experience covers varied subjects, including, but not limited to, prior art under first inventor to file; submission of biotechnology data under WIPO Standard ST.26; compliance with 35 USC 112; PTE (35 USC 156); patent term adjustments (35 USC 154(b)); non-obviousness determinations; subject matter eligibility; petition practice before the Office of Petitions and International Patent Legal Administration at the USPTO; restriction practice and double patenting (including safe harbor protections under 35 USC 121); reexaminations; supplemental examinations; reissuances; pre-issuance prior art submissions; eighteen-month publications; statutory disclaimers (including terminal disclaimers); declaration/affidavit practice; certificates of correction (COCs), and obligations under the USPTO’s duty of disclosure and duty of reasonable inquiry.

Mary frequently shares her experiences as a panelist and speaker on various patent law topics, including double patenting, interview practice before the USPTO, compliance with 35 USC 112, prior art under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA, and patent term issues. She provides an inimitable view on these significant issues.