Date: April 13, 2005 at the Cynwyd Club, Bala Cynwyd, PA
Time: Networking, 5:30 PM; Dinner, 6:30 PM; Talk and Business Session, 7:30 PM.

Recent Developments in Patent Law: The Ability to Leverage the Value of Discovery Assets

Mr. Patrick H. Higgins

Abstract: This presentation outlines the fundamental value of patent protection in the United States as a means to exclude competition from certain valuable markets. Recent judicial interpretation of statutory requirements to obtain patent protection will be highlighted. The talk will focus on strategy related to market exclusivity, as well as issues encountered in different industries, particularly the pharmaceutical industry. The presentation will conclude with a discussion of issues, as well as an illustration of important decisions, related to inventorship and ownership. A patent is a grant of a legal monopoly from the Federal Government, i.e., the right to exclude others from practicing an invention, for a limited period of time, in exchange for a full description and teaching of how to make and use a certain new, useful, and non-obvious invention.

Biography: Patrick Higgins has extensive experience in the drug discovery industry in positioning discovery assets and in the evaluation of scope, validity, enforceability, and exclusivity of third party rights. Patrick's training is in Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, and Law. He is a member of the California Bar, the Pennsylvania Bar, and is registered to practice before the United States Patent and Trademark Office. Patrick is admitted to practice before the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.

Patrick is a Patent Attorney, Special Counsel, at Fox Rothschild LLP in Princeton, NJ.

Location: The Cynwyd Club, 332 Trevor Lane, Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004. From City Line Ave. (Route # 1) drive north on Conshohocken State Road (Route # 23) about 3 long blocks. Continue north on Trevor Lane instead of following Route #23 left. At “Y” in road one block north on Trevor Lane turn left where clubhouse and parking are on the left side of the road. Please park in lot if space is available; otherwise park on Trevor Lane. If lost, call the club at 610-667-4524.

Reservation: To make or cancel a dinner reservation, e-mail CCNReservations@aol.com or call the ACS office at 215-382-1589 (leave message on voicemail if necessary). Fee, including food and beverages, is $25 provided reservations are made before 6 PM Friday, April 8th; $30 if made subsequently by 10 AM Monday, April 11th. If no reservation is made by the final deadline, food and beverages will not be available unless a cancellation occurs. No-shows will be invoiced.