Ice Miller Grows Intellectual Property Practice with Preeminent Life Sciences Team

Ice Miller is pleased to announce the addition of eight new team members to its Intellectual Property Practice Group. Based in the Firm’s Philadelphia office, these individuals merge their science and technology backgrounds with the practice of law to provide clients with a range of complex legal services, including patent preparation and prosecution, licensing and patent due diligence.

Dr. Weihong Hsing leads the team and brings with her decades of life science experience and an impressive list of clients whom she is proud to serve. “I am excited to be a part of Ice Miller’s team,” Weihong said, of joining Ice Miller. “This is a Firm that doesn’t just speak about its values but lives them. I am already seeing how the whole Firm comes together to support each other and help our clients stay ahead of a changing world. I’m thrilled to continue growing my practice at Ice Miller.”

Meet the Team

Partner Weihong Hsing, Ph.D. counsels clients, ranging from Fortune 50 to start-up companies, on domestic and worldwide patent portfolio development and management and provides strategic advice on IP protection throughout the product lifecycle in areas such as biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, agriculture and diagnostics. She also has extensive experience in IP due diligence, conducting IP portfolio evaluations and freedom to operate analysis in connection with mergers & acquisitions and investments. Her practice further includes opinion work on patent validity and infringement, post-issuance proceedings and licensing, as well as technical support for patent litigation.

With a Ph.D. in microbiology, postdoctoral training in molecular biology and genetics and years of research experience in academic and industrial settings, Weihong enjoys learning about the latest ideas from her practice and remaining close to the research world.

She and her team are able to assist clients with their patent needs in many technical fields, encompassing immunotherapies, CAR-T, gene therapies, vaccines, dermatology, small molecule therapeutics, antibody-drug conjugates, biomarkers, diagnostics, herbicides, improved formulations, transgenic plants and animals, recombinant cells, CRISPR, novel platforms and assays, etc.

Weihong’s team includes:
 

• Patent Agent Andrew Baraniak, Ph.D., who has a Ph.D. in Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, conducted postdoctoral research to investigate the role of miRNA expression in development and cancer;
• Patent Agent Megan Coyle, Ph.D., who has a Ph.D. in Cell and Molecular Biology with a Cell Biology, Physiology and Metabolism concentration, conducted postdoctoral research on the role of immune pathways in the progression of metabolic disease;
• Patent Agent Kayla Metzger, Ph.D., who has a Ph.D. in Neuroscience, conducted research on the development of cellular and behavioral changes in an animal model of anxiety; and
• Patent Agent Ming He, Ph.D., who has a Ph.D. in Synthetic Organic Chemistry, conducted postdoctoral research  on the synthesis of complex natural products.

The team also includes practice group specialist Adel Drake and paralegals Rebekah Sigler and Amanda O’Donnell, who bring with them years of administrative experience in patent procurement and management.
 
About Ice Miller LLP
Ice Miller LLP is a full service law firm dedicated to helping our clients stay ahead of a changing world. With over 340 legal professionals in seven offices, we advise clients on all aspects of complex legal issues across more than 20 practice areas. Our clients include emerging growth companies, FORTUNE 500 corporations, municipal entities and nonprofits. Learn more about Ice Miller and our client commitments.
 
This press release is intended for general information purposes only and does not and is not intended to constitute legal advice.