Salima A. Merani

In the midst of a Ph.D. program in neuroscience at McGill University, Merani realized she could combine her passions for science and law with a career in patent law.

“I thought that having patent lawyers who were fluent in ‘biotech-ese’ would be really helpful to inventors who were explaining their complex inventions to lawyers — and who needed those lawyers to understand their language and foundational scientific principles,” she said.

Merani has nearly 18 years of experience in building patent portfolios for life sciences companies. She also has extensive experience in conducting patent due diligence for investors, such as venture capital and investment firms.

She represents Insera Therapeutics LLC, a startup company that has developed novel technology to treat stroke, one of the leading causes of long-term disability worldwide and the third leading cause of death in the United States. Insera’s device aims to collect clots and fat deposits in tiny blood vessels in the brain. This device is designed to allow doctors to treat neurovascular diseases through minimally invasive therapeutics.

Merani and her team helped the startup obtain more than 55 patents to help protect their inventions, leveraging the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office’s “Fast Track” program to expedite examination.

“Importantly, we were able to build this portfolio in a cost-effective and value-driven manner, which was important for this very small company,” she said. “This client was particularly appreciative of my scientific background in neuroscience, which was a perfect strategic fit for their technology.”

Other clients include Metavention, Sienna Biopharmaceuticals and Relievant Medsystems.

In 2018 Merani served as lead IP counsel for Maple Grove, Minnesota-based Metavention Inc. and Irish heart company FIRE1 in deals that led to a collective financing of over $100 million. She also handled IP due diligence that culminated in $65 million in funding for Metavention, which uses neuromodulation to treat diabetes.

Neuromodulation, a key technology trend, involves altering nerve signaling to achieve a therapeutic result. It can be used as an alternative to drugs. Merani said she is working on groundbreaking technology with several startups using the technique to treat diabetes, back pain and tremor.

“My Ph.D. degree is especially significant today because neuromodulation is a key trend in innovation,” she said. “Clients really appreciate this unique knowledge and skill set.”

— Jennifer Chung Klam