Catherine M. Polizzi

Lawmakers and the judiciary have been changing the playing field when it comes to patent protection these days - creating additional challenges for portfolio managers.

But Polizzi said she's accustomed to the seismic shifts.

"That's part of the process of integrating new realities into strategy," she said. "It's an always evolving exercise."

In her wide-ranging practice, Polizzi helps emerging and established companies obtain patents, develop strategies and manage their portfolios, as well as finding ways to commercialize her client's technologies.

Among her significant matters, she provides strategic patent counseling and prosecution services to Genentech Inc.

Polizzi also counsels clients in such areas as financing, spin-offs, partnerships and mergers and acquisitions.

She advised Abraxis BioScience on its $2.9 billion acquisition by Celgene Corp., providing intellectual property strategy and due diligence counseling. She now represents Celgene as its counsel for the Abraxis patent portfolio, among other matters.

Despite continuing uncertainty in the gloomy economy, Polizzi said that there are still funding sources out there for biotechs and pharmaceutical companies. But, she added, they tend to be looking at later-stage products in an attempt to minimize risk.

"Funding sources have changed because of the economic landscape, but overall support is there," she said. "But it's not something you can take for granted as much as people were able to do five or 10 years ago."

As for the regulators, Polizzi said, they've "reared their heads more."

"There are concerns that the Food and Drug Administration makes it more difficult to get approval," she said. "If the financial eyes are turning toward later-stage development, any kind of hurdles that are perceived just feeds into that potential obstacle to obtaining financing."

- PAT BRODERICK

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