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2026 AIPLA Spring Meeting

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AIPLA gathers IP professionals for two and a half days of discussions, insights, and networking on key intellectual property...

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AIPLA gathers IP professionals for two and a half days of discussions, insights, and networking on key intellectual property topics. MoFo partner Karen Potter is speaking on the panel Bringing Back Means-Plus-Function Claiming in Life Sciences, while partner Shannon Reaney is speaking on the panel Navigating Inventor Partnerships Across CPG, Biotech & Academia at the <a href="https://www.aipla.org/detail/event/2026/05/11/default-calendar/2026-advanced-chemical-patent-practice-institute" target="_blank">Advanced Chemical & Biotech Patent Institute</a> on May 12, immediately before the Spring Meeting.  <hr>

2026 AIPLA Spring Meeting

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Karen Potter, Ph.D., J.D., is a nationally recognized patent attorney and leader of Morrison Foerster’s Cell and Gene Therapy Patent practice in San Diego, California. With over 20 years of experience in life sciences intellectual property law, Karen specializes in patent strategy, prosecution, and portfolio management for biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies worldwide.Karen’s technical background in cellular and molecular biology and immunology uniquely positions her as a trusted advisor for innovators in:<ul><li>Cell and gene therapies (including T cell, Natural Killer cell, stem cell, gene-based, and epigenetic therapies)</li><li>Immunotherapies (antibody and protein-based therapies)</li><li>Virus and vaccine therapies</li><li>Companion diagnostics and diagnostic assays</li><li>Protein therapeutics and bioassays</li></ul>Karen leads and mentors a multidisciplinary team of patent attorneys, agents, and scientific analysts, delivering strategic and comprehensive intellectual property services. Her practice includes:<ul><li>U.S. and international patent preparation and prosecution</li><li>Patent portfolio development and management</li><li>Patentability and freedom-to-operate analyses</li><li>Patent term extension strategies</li><li>Due diligence for investors and M&A transactions</li><li>Strategic counseling for startups, emerging, and established life sciences companies</li></ul>Karen is widely recognized for her ability to deliver pragmatic, creative patent solutions tailored to the unique needs of life sciences clients. She has been honored by publications for her leadership and innovative approach in biotechnology patent law.Before her legal career, Karen completed postdoctoral research at the La Jolla Institute for Allergy and Immunology and earned her Ph.D. in cellular and molecular biology from Duke University. Her scientific research has been published in leading peer-reviewed journals and presented at national conferences.

Karen Potter

Partner

Shannon Reaney, Ph.D., is a seasoned patent attorney with over 20 years of experience specializing in life sciences intellectual property law. As chair of the firm’s 100+ person Patent Strategy + Prosecution practice and co-chair of the cross-disciplinary Intellectual Property Group, Shannon provides strategic patent counsel to pharmaceutical, biotechnology, cosmetics, and agricultural companies worldwide. She excels in patent portfolio development, prosecution, and management, helping innovators protect and maximize the value of their intellectual property assets.Shannon’s advanced scientific training and extensive legal experience enable her to deliver comprehensive patent strategy and prosecution services across a broad spectrum of life sciences technologies, including:<ul><li>Pre-clinical and clinical-stage therapeutics, including small molecules, siRNA, peptide therapeutics, conjugates, blood-based therapies, and related diagnostics, pharmaceutical formulations, and methods of use.</li><li>Nanotechnology.</li><li>Skin care technology and topical formulations.</li><li>Agricultural technologies.</li></ul>In addition to her extensive experience in patent strategy and prosecution, Shannon is highly regarded for her work in:<ul><li>Patent term extensions & lifecycle management for approved drugs and biologics.</li><li>IP risk mitigation, pre-litigation portfolio assessments, and competitor IP evaluation.</li><li>Due diligence and strategic counseling for business transactions including financings and M&A.</li></ul>Shannon received her Ph.D. in chemistry from the University of California, Santa Cruz, where her doctoral research concentrated on synthetic organic methodology and the use of lithium aminoborohydrides in novel hydride and amine transfer reactions. She received her B.A. in biochemistry from Occidental College, where she conducted undergraduate research investigating psoralen-DNA intercalation.Shannon has authored several first-author publications in peer-reviewed journals and presented her research at major conferences, including those sponsored by the American Chemical Society and the IUPAC World Chemistry Congress.

Shannon Reaney

Patent Strategy + Prosecution

2026 AIPLA Spring Meeting

13 May 2026 - 15 May 2026