Michael T. Siekman

Michael Siekman counsels clients of all sizes in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries on a range of intellectual property matters, including patent prosecution and portfolio strategy, interferences, due diligence, licensing, opinions, and litigation. His over 20 years of experience has involved blockbuster drugs as well as orphan drugs, and he has managed patent portfolios for several pioneering biotechnologies.

Michael has extensive experience extending patent terms in the U.S. and abroad. He has obtained several Patent Term Extensions and Supplementary Protection Certificates, and he has maximized Patent Term Adjustment for clients by petition and litigation.

Michael advises brand name and generic clients regarding Hatch-Waxman issues, has participated in several Abbreviated New Drug Application (ANDA) patent litigations, and advises clients about biogenerics/biosimilars issues.

Michael has a personal interest in type 1 diabetes and represents biotechnology and device companies in that field. He has also served on the Board of Directors of the Diabetes Innovation Fund, and on the IP Task Force, of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

Representative Matters

Directed the patent prosecution for a life-saving biologic, including a successful appeal to the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.
Prosecutes one of the most widely licensed biotechnology patent portfolios, with over 70 licensees.
Took over prosecution of a 7-year-old portfolio of 6 patent families covering a drug in clinical trials and obtained the first patent that was listable in the Orange Book within 2 years.
Obtained seminal patents in the fields of gene therapy, phage display, and the transgenic production of proteins in animals.
Obtained a Patent Term Extension for a biologic of over three years, representing over $900 million in projected sales.
Served as lead or back-up counsel in numerous patent interferences in the biotech, pharmaceutical, electrical, and consumer product fields.

Previous Experience

Before entering law school, Michael worked as a patent agent for a large IP law firm.

Professional and Civic Activities

American Intellectual Property Law Association

USPTO Inter Partes Patent Proceedings Committee

Honors and Awards

Michael received a National Science Foundation Award in college and served as Articles Editor for the Boston University Journal of Science & Technology Law in law school.

Also Noteworthy

Michael has served as Chair of the firm’s PTO Practice Committee for several years.