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Deal Risks: What Trial Lawyers Wish You Knew About Life Sciences Collaboration Agreements

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Hosted by Morrison Foerster, this CLE presentation will explore key challenges trial lawyers face when litigating disputes...

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Hosted by Morrison Foerster, this CLE presentation will explore key challenges trial lawyers face when litigating disputes arising from collaboration agreements in the life sciences sector. Following a networking breakfast, a panel of Morrison Foerster lawyers will discuss critical contractual provisions, including commercially reasonable efforts and ownership and improvement rights, as well as competition law considerations and how these issues can play out in high-stakes litigation.<hr>

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Matthew is Co-Chair of Morrison & Foerster LLP’s Life Sciences IP Litigation Group, where he has long made it his mission to protect his clients’ intellectual property and defend them when they are wrongly accused of infringement. His hearing and trial experience is extensive. Whether exploring complex technical issues regarding a biologic drug, or digging into the finer points of patent law, he excels at keeping his opponents on their toes. Intellectual Asset Management 1000 remarked that Matthew is “a skilled technical lawyer and brief writer who can handle large and nuanced cases.” He has litigated patent and contract matters in many of the top IP venues throughout the United States, including the District Courts of California, Texas, Delaware, and New Jersey, the Federal Circuit, and the International Trade Commission.Life sciences clients often rely on Matthew’s extensive experience and his ability to grasp complex and cutting-edge issues quickly. His work in this area includes proceedings involving monoclonal antibodies, antibody-drug conjugates, small molecule inhibitors, vaccines, nutritional supplements, bioimplants, drug-eluting stents, blood glucose monitoring devices, plant genetics, and animal husbandry. He knows the ins and outs of the “patent dance” in Biologics Price Competition and Innovation Act (BPCIA) proceedings, and has advised clients on successful strategies for engaging in multi-phased BPCIA and Hatch-Waxman Act matters.Matthew is a registered patent attorney, and his considerable experience includes practicing before the United States Patent and Trademark Office, especially in inter partes and post grant review proceedings. He also regularly advises clients on plant and agriculture intellectual property matters, including strategic use of plant patents, plant-variety protection certificates, and trademark rights. In addition to life sciences matters, Matthew has litigated cases involving internet firewalls, network security, virtualization, smartphone, interactive television, website, and display technologies.Matthew graduated from law school magna cum laude and was presented with the Academic Excellence Award for his graduating class. He clerked for Chief Judge James Ware (ret.) of the Northern District of California from 2007 to 2008. Before law school, Matthew received a Bachelor of Science in molecular biology.Having grown up in Alaska, Matthew has great appreciation for the outdoors. In his free time, he enjoys skiing, cycling, and alpine mountaineering.

Matthew A. Chivvis

Partner

Sumaiya Sharmeen counsels clients in complex IP litigation matters in the life sciences, biotechnology, medical device, and pharmaceutical industries. A partner in the firm’s Intellectual Property Group, Sumaiya leverages her technical background in medical biophysics and biotechnology to represent life sciences and technology companies in complex trade secrets and patent disputes. Her legal practice involves preparing infringement, validity, and damages analyses and serving as counsel in fact and expert depositions, motion practice, hearings, and trials across multiple forums. She has counseled clients through “patent dance” in Biologics Price Competition and Innovation Act (BPCIA) proceedings, and has advised clients on successful strategies for engaging in BPCIA and Hatch-Waxman Act matters. She also advises clients on patent portfolio development, pre-suit investigations, and strategic IP counseling. Sumaiya has significant experience in disputes involving gene therapy, monoclonal antibodies, antibody-drug conjugates, recombinant protein manufacturing and purification processes, and small-molecule inhibitors. Prior to joining the firm, Sumaiya practiced IP litigation and strategic IP counseling in Toronto, representing clients across biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and information technology matters. Sumaiya is admitted to practice in California and Ontario (Canada). In addition to her legal and scientific degrees, she earned a certificate in artificial intelligence from UC Berkeley Law.

Sumaiya Sharmeen

Evelyn Chang is an associate in the Litigation Department of Morrison & Foerster’s Palo Alto office.Evelyn’s practice focuses on a range of intellectual property issues, including patent disputes and litigation. She has also worked on contract disputes over patent and technology rights for biopharmaceutical companies.Evelyn received her J.D. from Harvard Law School, where she was a digest submissions editor of the Harvard Journal of Law and Technology. She was co-president and delegation chair of the Harvard Asia Law Society and participated in the Harvard Law School Cyberlaw Clinic. Evelyn received her M.S. and B.S. in chemical engineering from Stanford University.

Deal Risks: What Trial Lawyers Wish You Knew About Life Sciences Collaboration Agreements

14 Jan 2026 9:30 AM - 11:00 AM PST