Salima Merani

Knobbe Martens

Irvine

Patent portfolio management

As a doctoral candidate in neuroscience at McGill University, Merani hit upon the way to marry her love of science with her love of the law.

When her department at McGill was interested in filing a patent application, Merani began researching patent law -- and had a eureka moment. She pursued a law degree while finishing up her Ph.D., and has since helped life science companies build their patent portfolios. She also conducts patent due diligence for venture capital and investment firms.

"I have a bit of a unique practice. I spend about half my time representing the startup company and the other half representing the investor or acquirer," she said.

One startup Merani counsels is Personal Genome Diagnostics Inc., which develops cancer genome and analysis tools to help patients with late-stage cancer. The company partners with researchers and pharmaceutical companies to provide patient-specific analysis of the cancer genome and to help advance tailored therapies.

"What companies [like Personal Genome Diagnostics] are trying to figure out is how to test the genetic sequence of the cancer, and not confuse that with the genetics of the person," she said. "Then, how do you relate those genetics to the kind of therapy that is needed?"

Merani is leading trademark efforts for Personal Genome, as well as helping to defend the startup from patent infringement litigation. Guardant Health filed suit in 2017, alleging the company's liquid biopsy test infringes on four Guardant patents. Guardant Health Inc. v. Personal Genome Diagnostics Inc., 17-CV01623 (D. Del., filed Nov. 9, 2017).

Personal Genome has filed counterclaims against Guardant alleging antitrust violations for attempting to maintain a monopoly over the liquid biopsy market. The company has asked U.S. District Judge Leonard P. Stark to declare Guardant patents invalid and dismiss the plaintiff's lawsuit.

On the investor side, Merani serves as IP counsel for Vensana Capital, a new venture capital firm that launched with a $225 million fund to invest in medtech companies.

Merani helps the firm "kick the tires on IP" when considering a potential investment.

"In just the last few years, I have served as lead IP counsel in transactions worth over $2 billion," she said. "Currently, I'm involved in multiple simultaneous IPOs, acquisitions and venture financings in the biopharma and medtech space."

-- Jennifer Chung Klam