Catherine M. Polizzi is Co-Chair of the firm-wide Intellectual Property group and a partner in the Palo Alto office of Morrison & Foerster LLP. Dr. Polizzi focuses her intellectual property practice on patent law and biotechnology.

Dr. Polizzi has a wide range of experience in patent law and technology, working with small, medium, and large companies as well as universities. Dr. Polizzi provides patent portfolio strategic counseling and comprehensive portfolio management for emerging as well as mature life science companies, often serving as principal patent counsel. She is involved in all aspects of patent prosecution and procurement. Dr. Polizzi has extensive experience in a number of technology areas, including molecular biology, immunology, antibody technology, neurobiology, chemistry and small molecules, diagnostics, drug screening, gene therapy, nucleic acid amplification and detection, proteomics, and therapeutics. Dr. Polizzi’s practice also includes due diligence evaluation and counseling in the context of investment assessment by venture capital and small to large companies, as well as in connection with public and private financing, spin-offs, and mergers and acquisitions. Dr. Polizzi provides counseling for intellectual property strategy and implications during all stages of product and project development. Her practice also includes patentability, freedom of operation, infringement, and validity evaluations and opinions. Dr. Polizzi has significant experience in technology transactions, as well as patent litigation and interference.

Dr. Polizzi holds a Ph.D. in Molecular Biology and Biochemistry from the University of California, an M.A. in Chemistry from the University of California, and a B.A. with distinction in Chemistry from the University of Mississippi. Dr. Polizzi received a J.D. from Stanford Law School, where she was awarded the Hilmer Oehlmann, Jr. Award for Legal Research and Writing. Prior to obtaining her advanced degrees, Dr. Polizzi conducted biomedical research on diabetes and alcoholism at Sansum Medical Research Foundation, and was a postdoctoral fellow at the University of California. Dr. Polizzi also has a business background, having successfully co-founded and managed a real estate firm. Her background in business, coupled with an extensive legal and scientific background, gives Dr. Polizzi a unique and valuable perspective in her intellectual property practice.

Dr. Polizzi has authored several law review articles on law and technology and has co-authored numerous scientific publications. Dr. Polizzi has also made presentations on law and technology.