Partner
Paul Browning, Ph.D., is a first chair litigator focusing on patent litigation and appeals, primarily in the chemical and pharmaceutical areas, including Hatch-Waxman litigation. He has tried cases before judges in various U.S. district courts and has handled arbitrations and mediations. He also advises on patent portfolio strategy with an eye toward success in litigation.
Paul’s broad litigation experience includes taking and cross-examining witnesses at trial, briefing and arguing dispositive motions, drafting appellate briefs, and arguing cases on appeal. He has also managed day-to-day litigation activities in actions involving multiple parties. In addition to his litigation practice, Paul advises clients on a variety of patent matters, including strategic development of their patent portfolios and coordination of prosecution and U.S. and foreign litigation strategy and related proceedings before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB).
Paul has been recognized as a litigation star by Benchmark Litigation and Managing Intellectual Property (MIP) named him as a notable practitioner in the District of Columbia. Paul frequently lectures on various topics in chemical patent law. He designed laser systems and conducted spectroscopy of small molecules while earning master’s and Ph.D. degrees at the University of Chicago.
Paul devotes a portion of his practice to pro bono matters and previously led the firm’s pro bono committee. He represents military personnel seeking enhanced compensation for injuries received while serving in the military, including injuries received in combat. He also represents veterans in cases before the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.
Biogen International GmbH v. Teva Pharmaceuticals USA, Inc.
1:17-cv-00829, D. Del., Judge Noreika
1:17-cv-00116, N.D.W. Va., Judge Keeley
Vifor (International) AG and American Regent, Inc. v. Mylan Labs. Ltd. et al.
3:19-cv-13955, 3:19-cv-16305, D.N.J., Judges Wolfson, Arpert
Ferring B.V. v. Allergan, Inc.
Represented Ferring in inventorship litigation, relating to desmopressin pharmaceutical compositions, acting as co-lead counsel at trial.
1:12-cv-02650, S.D.N.Y., Judges Cott, Sweet
Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. v. Apotex Corp.
Represented Otsuka in 24 related Hatch-Waxman litigations concerning Otsuka’s Ability® tablet products and acted as lead counsel on appeal.
1:14-cv-01078, -04671, -02982, -07405, -05878, -06398 -08074 -03306, -06890, -05876, -08077, -03168, -07252, -07105 -05537, -03996, -06158, -04508, -04307, -06397, -07106, -01979, -03445; 1:15-cv-0161, -07584, -01585, -07803, -08830, -05109, -07802, -08955, -01716, -01967, -06353, -08305; 1:16-cv-05288, -05400, -05949, -07705 -02475, -02476, -08284, -05743, -00086, -08085, -00555, -00557, -07346, -06067, -00405, -00424, -05688, -09603; 1:17-cv-02754, -00392, D.N.J., Judges Simandle, Williams
Prosecuting patents for startup Hutchison Medipharma
Finnegan prepared and prosecuted patents for startup Hutchison Medipharma in the United States for the treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer. Those patents cover a small molecule, fruquintinib, which received approval in China.
Finnegan tees up valuable patents for Principia Biopharma, leading to major acquisition deal
Completed successful patent prosecution for Principia. By entrusting Finnegan to obtain strong patents for their Phase 1 candidate, Principia was able to secure an exclusive, worldwide license agreement with Sanofi to develop and commercialize PRN2246, with the potential for $765 million in milestone payments. Finnegan also successfully prosecuted patents directed to compound PRN1008, a BTK inhibitor that Principia is investigating for autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. Principia’s impressive pipeline of drug candidates, covered by a patent portfolio prosecuted by Finnegan, led to an IPO in which Principia raised over $100 million.
Conference
Life Sciences Patent Network North America Spring Life Sciences Patent Network North America Spring
April 29-30, 2026
Boston
Webinar
Inherency Doctrine in Patent Prosecution and Litigation 2025 Inherency Doctrine in Patent Prosecution and Litigation 2025
December 18, 2025
Webinar
Conference
The Carolina Patent, Trademark & Copyright Law Association Fall Meeting The Carolina Patent, Trademark & Copyright Law Association Fall Meeting
September 26-27, 2025
Kiawah Island
Articles
5 Tribunals' Rules To Help Patent Litigators Avoid AI Disasters 5 Tribunals' Rules To Help Patent Litigators Avoid AI Disasters
May 19, 2025
Law360Prosecution First Blog
The USPTO’s “Experimental Use Exception Request for Comments” The USPTO’s “Experimental Use Exception Request for Comments”
July 12, 2024
Conference
Carolina Patent, Trademark & Copyright Law Association Fall CLE Carolina Patent, Trademark & Copyright Law Association Fall CLE
September 29-30, 2023
Kiawah Island
Award/Ranking
Finnegan Named a Tier 1 Firm in the 2026 Benchmark Litigation Rankings Finnegan Named a Tier 1 Firm in the 2026 Benchmark Litigation Rankings
October 28, 2025
Benchmark LitigationAnnouncement
Finnegan Announces 2024 Mentors of the Year Finnegan Announces 2024 Mentors of the Year
December 31, 2024
Award/Ranking
Benchmark Litigation Ranks Finnegan a Tier 1 Firm and Recognizes Eight Partners as Litigation Stars Benchmark Litigation Ranks Finnegan a Tier 1 Firm and Recognizes Eight Partners as Litigation Stars
September 26, 2024
Benchmark LitigationAward/Ranking
Finnegan Ranks at the Top of the Managing Intellectual Property IP Stars Rankings Finnegan Ranks at the Top of the Managing Intellectual Property IP Stars Rankings
June 28, 2024
Managing Intellectual PropertyAward/Ranking
60 Finnegan Attorneys Named to 2023 Capital Pro Bono Honor Roll 60 Finnegan Attorneys Named to 2023 Capital Pro Bono Honor Roll
May 15, 2024
Award/Ranking
Finnegan Receives Tier 1 Benchmark Litigation Rankings; Nine Attorneys Named Litigation Stars Finnegan Receives Tier 1 Benchmark Litigation Rankings; Nine Attorneys Named Litigation Stars
October 5, 2023
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