Kathryn Doyle, PhD, JD

A patent attorney with a Ph.D. in virology and cell and molecular biology, Kathryn has developed a “known for” practice representing universities and companies throughout the Mid-Atlantic region and nationally in identifying, protecting and enforcing their intellectual property in the areas of biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, genomics, and medical devices.

Kathryn began her career as a virologist and cell and molecular biologist, and made the switch to patent law more than 20 years ago. She worked her way through evening law school as a patent agent and quickly developed many clients in both the university and small and large biotech company sectors that remain clients to this day.

Given her scientific, patent and legal background, Kathryn is well versed in multiple aspects of life sciences patent law. Her clients include biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies as well as venture capitalists and universities. She counsels them in patent procurement, post-grant procedures, due diligence, infringement and invalidity opinions, licensing, as well as in patent portfolio management. She also provides assistance in patent litigation.

Prior to her legal career, Kathryn completed postdoctoral studies at Yale University and the University of California, Irvine. She was a member of the faculty at both California State University Fullerton and the Medical College of Pennsylvania where she taught virology and cell and molecular biology to undergraduate, graduate and medical students.

In addition to her state bar admission, Kathryn is admitted to practice before the U.S. Court of Appeals Federal Circuit and the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Chambers USA 2010 ranked Kathryn in Intellectual Property Law, lauding her as “a clear thinker and an excellent attorney.”

Immediately prior to joining Saul Ewing Arnstein & Lehr, Kathryn was a partner at a boutique intellectual property law firm that she founded. Previously, she was head of the Life Sciences Team and co-chair of the women’s committee at Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP. She also was a partner and leader of the Intellectual Property Practice at Morgan, Lewis and Bockius LLP.