Global law firm Proskauer announced today that Siegmund Gutman has joined the firm as a litigation partner and chair of its Life Sciences Patent practice, resident in the firm’s Los Angeles office.

Mr. Gutman is an accomplished patent litigator, having frequently represented clients before trial and appellate courts, as well as arbitration panels. In the life sciences area, Mr. Gutman concentrates his practice on developing and executing market exclusivity and freedom-to-operate strategies, including patent office and FDA regulatory strategies, for leading biologics, pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical device clients. He has extensive experience successfully litigating biologic drug patent and Hatch-Waxman cases, and has frequently spoken and written about issues relating to biosimilars and generic drugs.

Mr. Gutman’s background combines a graduate degree in molecular and cell biology and biophysical chemistry with more than 20 years of industry experience, including serving as senior patent litigation counsel for one of the world’s largest biotechnology companies. He advises clients on patent matters covering a comprehensive scope of technologies, including therapeutic proteins such as monoclonal antibodies, antibody-drug conjugates, nucleic acids, gene therapy, stem cells, screening methodologies, DNA microarrays, small molecules and polymer chemistry.

He also has extensive experience in inter-partes patent office actions and providing strategic patent counseling, including addressing product life cycle management and patent portfolio development issues. Mr. Gutman was most recently a partner at Bingham.

“Sige is a key addition to our growing Patent Law Group, which represents a broad cross-section of today’s most innovative life sciences and technology companies,” said Proskauer Chairman Joseph M. Leccese. “It has been a strategic priority to expand our footprint in the life sciences sector and bolster our capabilities on the West Coast, and Sige’s arrival helps us accomplish both of these goals.”

“Sige is well-versed in the complexities of the highly regulated pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries. The combination of his prowess and diverse experience in patent litigation and life sciences, along with his sophisticated technical background, greatly complements our global team of accomplished litigators. His extensive experience will add further depth to our IP/patent practice as we continue to serve our clients’ patent needs,” said Steven Bauer, co-chair of the Proskauer’s Litigation Department and co-head of the firm’s Patent Law Group.

Michael Woronoff, head of Proskauer’s Los Angeles office and co-head of its Mergers & Acquisitions and Private Equity practices, said, “We are proud to have Sige join our deep and talented pool of lawyers in Los Angeles, and his arrival broadens the range of legal services we offer our clients from the West Coast.”

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