Christopher Verni

Founder

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  • Franklin Pierce School of Law, J.D.

    University of Rochester, B.S. Chemistry

  • Massachusetts

    United States Patent & Trademark Office

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Chris Verni is a recognized legal leader and IP expert. He has 25 years of legal experience dedicated solely to the biotech and pharmaceutical industries. For over a decade, he served as a General Counsel and a Chief Intellectual Property Counsel at high growth biotech companies. In these capacities, he has been on executive teams and advised Boards to position them for success on legal and IP matters that included global IP protection strategies for FDA approved therapies, bet the company litigation against competitors, transformative strategic transactions and significant capital raises. Chris has led IP diligence and negotiated deals to acquire many pre-clinical and clinical stage therapies that were developed and FDA approved. He has also advised on global branding strategies, successfully secured trademark rights for drug names, and eliminated interfering third party rights. He has led legal and IP functions as part of a team to raise more than $3.5B in capital markets transactions and over $1.5B in sell-side strategic transactions in guaranteed payments alone.

The basis for this value creation was IP. As a registered patent attorney and former scientist, he has built patent portfolios that have protected commercialized blockbuster drugs as well as therapies for orphan diseases, even when put to the test in court and administrative proceedings. Chris is particularly well-versed in developing strategies to “clear the path” for developing and commercially launching therapies in complex and competitive landscapes. These efforts across various wins have led to the savings of hundreds of millions of dollars in royalty and infringement damages payments as well as significant damages awards.

As a longtime in-house attorney, Chris brings a level of pragmatism to private practice with direct and clear communication. Moreover, he knows in practical terms what growing biotech companies need to do to position their IP and legal departments for success.

Chris is a published author in science and the law, has been featured in publications, and is a sought-after speaker at IP conferences. He is an active member of the MassBio GC Roundtable and a prior active member of the BIO IP Corporate Counsels Committee and the Association of Corporate Patent Counsel.