John Vassiliades
John Vassiliades

John M. Vassiliades

Of Counsel

vassiliadesj@ballardspahr.com
Tel 602.798.5445
Fax 602.798.5595
Phoenix

John M. Vassiliades is of counsel in the Business and Finance and Intellectual Property Departments and a member of the Life Sciences/Technology, Trademark and Copyright, and Mergers and Acquisitions/Private Equity Groups. He concentrates his practice on intellectual property matters, commercial deals, corporate governance, and compliance and regulatory issues.

Mr. Vassiliades represents national and international Fortune 500 corporations and not-for-profit associations, as well as new and developing companies, particularly in the biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, health care, e-commerce, computer software, alternative energy, nanotech, and materials science industries. As a patent, technology transactions, and general corporate attorney, Mr. Vassiliades advises clients on how best to develop, manage, and commercialize intellectual property and patent portfolios. He also helps clients anticipate potential roadblocks to success.

In addition, Mr. Vassiliades handles patent proceedings, including how to structure and value R&D commercialization deals; how to license, create, distribute, and market high-tech products; and how to acquire or sell proprietary technology or other business interests.

Mr. Vassiliades is active in the life sciences and high-tech industries and has a strong understanding of biology, chemistry, immunology, and neurobiology. His strengths include the product development and regulation of drugs, biologics, medical devices, and the development of complex IT/software and e-commerce systems, mechanical, and material inventions.

Representative Matters

  • Closed the forward triangular merger of an Australian public biotech company with a privately held biotech company
  • Handled numerous biotech patent licensing and collaboration deals with large pharmaceutical, biotech, and research companies
  • Sponsored manufacturing, research, development, and clinical trial collaboration with major educational and research centers
  • Participated on a team of litigators for offensive and defensive patent infringement cases and patent proceedings in the fields of biotechnology and software
  • Handled asset-purchase acquisitions involving public, private, and nonprofit organizations in conjunction with private-equity offerings for emerging high-tech companies
  • Participated in multiple technology procurement deals
  • Represented major transportation and technology corporations in multimillion-dollar software development, licensing, and maintenance transactions for e-commerce businesses

Professional Activities

Larta Institute / National Institutes of Health Commercial Assistance Program (NIH-CAP) Life Sciences programs mentor

U.S. Department of Agriculture programs mentor for alternative energy projects

Intellectual Property and Principal Adviser to the SBIR (Small Business Innovation Research) Commercialization Programs of the National Institutes of Health and the U.S. Department of Agriculture since 2005 and 2008, respectively

Recognition & Accomplishments

Named an Intellectual Property Adviser to the National Science Foundation Commercialization Assistance Program for SBIR-funded companies, specializing in computer software, IT systems, nanotech, and materials science (2009– )

Publications

Mr. Vassiliades is a noted speaker and author on issues relating to patent licensing, and the management, protection, and commercialization of intellectual property.

He recently authored "Protecting IP Rights Before a Bankruptcy Filing," Law 360, August 11, 2009.

University of North Carolina School of Law (J.D. 1986)

Johns Hopkins University (M.S. 2004)

Duke University (A.B. 1983, cum laude)

New York

District of Columbia

Virginia

Arizona

U.S. Patent and Trademark Office