Biotechnology & Genomics

Protecting Molecular Tools, Genetic Platforms, and Engineered Life Sciences

Biotechnology is driving innovation across medicine, agriculture, and industrial chemistry—powered by advances in genetic engineering, cell biology, and molecular diagnostics. At Schmeiser Olsen, we help clients protect the biological tools and engineered systems that form the backbone of therapeutic platforms, biomanufacturing, diagnostics, and synthetic biology.

Our attorneys have experience working with inventors and R&D teams developing gene editing tools, engineered cell lines, vectors, biomolecular pathways, and diagnostic panels. We understand the intersection of scientific complexity, regulatory oversight, and commercial strategy unique to biotech and genomic innovation.

We secure patents that reflect the real value of engineered biology—tools, targets, and systems built from the molecule up.

Patent Strategy for Biotech and Genetic Innovation

Patents in biotechnology must be grounded in detailed scientific support while offering room for platform evolution. We work with clients to draft claims that balance breadth, specificity, and durability—describing the invention with clarity while preserving commercial relevance as technologies advance through preclinical and clinical development. Our strategies focus on capturing composition, method, and system claims tied to genetic, cellular, and molecular mechanisms. We help clients protect technologies including:

Gene Editing & Expression Systems

– CRISPR/Cas, TALEN, and zinc finger nuclease innovations

– Guide RNA and donor template design with target-specific enhancements

– Vectors and promoters optimized for cell type or tissue specificity

– Transcriptional regulation and epigenetic control mechanisms

Engineered Cell Lines & Synthetic Biology

– Recombinant production cell lines with improved yield or metabolic stability

– Biosynthetic pathways for therapeutic protein, enzyme, or biofuel production

– Synthetic chassis cells and programmable logic circuits

– Yeast, algae, or bacterial strains for industrial fermentation and material production

Genomic Analysis & Molecular Diagnostics

– NGS-based assay systems and variant calling pipelines

– Biomarker identification methods for companion diagnostics

– Multiplex panels for disease stratification and prognosis

– Cell-free DNA/RNA detection techniques and sample preservation protocols

Biologic Therapeutics

– Recombinant antibodies, bispecific constructs, and fusion proteins

– Engineered cytokines, peptides, or enzyme replacement therapies

– Cell therapies (CAR-T, stem cell-derived therapeutics) with custom engineering

– Expression optimization and purification strategies for clinical-grade biologics

practical insight

Navigating Challenges in Biotech Patents

Biotech inventions often involve heightened scrutiny for written description, enablement, and predictive breadth—particularly for claims covering biological function or sequence variability. We help clients address:

– Sequence-based claim strategy: balancing narrow species claims with genus-level breadth
– Functional characterization: supporting claims with experimental validation and structure–function correlation
– Deposit requirements for cell lines and biological materials
– Regulatory timing: aligning patent life with biologics license applications (BLAs) or IND milestones
– IP risk in collaborative development: ownership, rights allocation, and freedom to operate analysis

Our counsel is grounded in both scientific rigor and a clear understanding of the regulatory and market realities biotech companies face.

Partner with Counsel Who Understand Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals

At Schmeiser Olsen, we work with energy innovators, utilities, and infrastructure developers to protect the systems that drive power generation, transmission, and reliability. Whether you’re building utility-scale turbines or developing pipeline control systems, we help ensure your engineering innovations are protected and aligned with commercial goals.

Protect the systems your industry depends on—with patent counsel fluent in mechanical infrastructure, energy systems, and field-ready innovation.

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