Vicki G. Norton

Intellectual Property Law & Litigation

San Diego

Vicki G. Norton serves as a team lead for Duane Morris LLP's life sciences and medical technologies industry group. She has been with the firm since 2008. With a Ph.D. in biochemistry and biophysics, she is well-positioned to represent clients such as Quest Diagnostics Inc., Allele Biotechnology and Pharmaceuticals, Inc., California Safe Soil, the Arizona State University's SkySong tech center and OcuNexus Therapeutics, Inc.

"As I deal with very complex client technology, the biochemistry background is a big help," she said. "I spend at least half an hour a day keeping up with the latest news in the field."

Norton has devised strategies for clients to successfully counter patent claims and demands totaling over $2 billion, has performed IP diligence for transactions, product clearances and at-the-market offerings worth over $4 billion, and has formulated worldwide patent strategies for clients entering public markets with valuations of over $6 billion.

"There are exciting developments in personalized medicine and diagnostics. We're seeing increasingly sensitive testing achievements," she said.

She provided IP diligence and the negotiation of IP issues in Quest's acquisition -- for up to $450 million -- in 2023 of Haystack Oncology, an early-stage company founded by a science team led by Dr. Bert Vogelstein at Johns Hopkins University. Its innovative liquid biopsy testing focuses on detecting residual or recurring cancers. The deal involved $300 million in cash plus $150 million in milestone payments based on future performance goals.

The testing can lead to clinical interventions and customized treatment plans for patients.

For San Diego-based cell therapy startup Allele Biotechnology and Pharmaceuticals Inc., Norton and her team handle global patent strategy, procurement and management, plus company-side diligence for Allele's innovative mNeonGreen fluorescent protein.

Its patent is currently being enforced by litigation counsel against Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and previously asserted in a suit against Pfizer Inc. in connection with those defendants' development of COVID-19 vaccines.

In September 2023 Regeneron stipulated that the patent was valid and would be infringed if the activities at issues fall outside the safe harbor exceptions. Allele Biotechnology and Pharmaceuticals, Inc. v. Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc., 7:20-cv-08255 (S.D. N.Y., filed Oct 5, 2020).

"Now that the other side has stipulated that the patent is valid and enforceable, that shows we did a good job securing the patent in the first place," Norton said.

-- John Roemer