Catherine M. Polizzi

Genentech Inc.'s T-DM1 drug - also known as a "smart bomb" for breast cancer - is the kind of innovation that Polizzi said is driving her practice.

"This combines two types of therapeutic approaches in one and packs a one-two punch," Polizzi said.

"We are going to see more of that - more refinement of how to work with the living system, leading to more effective therapies," she added.

Analysts have projected peak sales for the drug at between $2 billion and $5 billion a year.

In September, another Genentech drug, Perjeta, became the first medicine approved to treat beast cancer before surgery.

The drug is estimated to generate sales of $1.9 billion a year.

Polizzi develops the company's overall patent strategy for its multibillion dollar portfolios.

Polizzi is also in charge of the multibillion-dollar patent portfolio for Celgene Corp., which manufactures drug therapies for cancer and inflammatory disorders.

Among them is the blockbuster cancer drug Abraxane. "It's a very important drug, and shows great promise in multiple cancers," Polizzi said.

Abraxane was developed by Abraxis BioScience, which Polizzi counseled through its acquisition by Celgene. The company claims a current market value of nearly $61 billion.

Another client, Medivation Inc., is a biotech company that focuses on novel therapies for serious diseases. It created Xtandi, a treatment for prostate cancer with a potential market value of $3 billion a year.

"I've worked with them since Day One, when they had only three employees and now have over 200," she said.

Polizzi continues to serve as outside patent counsel, working with Medivation Inc. on its patent strategy and portfolio.

"It's been very exciting, challenging and rewarding to be a part of that process of developing the company," she said.

- Pat Broderick