David Perryman, former CEO of start-up biotech company Zirus, returns to practicing law this week at Ballard Spahr LLP. Perryman left Needle &Rosenberg in 2007, where he had practiced Intellectual Property law for 16 years. Perryman will be rejoining his colleagues as part of Ballard Spahr, which acquired the boutique Needle &Rosenberg in 2008. Perryman joins the firm as of counsel and will work with its business and finance group to help companies turn cutting-edge scientific research into marketable products.
Perryman joined Zirus, a company formed to research the best ways to combat viruses, because he “wanted to do something that mattered.” During Perryman’s time with Zirus, he helped the company to advance new methods of fighting viruses such as HIV.
Bill Needle, head of Ballard Spahr’s IP practice, said of Perryman: “He’s got a lot of contacts and a great reputation that we hope to utilize … He can talk [with clients] about strategy, seeking funding and what he’s learned from working with Zirus and other start-ups.”