David Perryman, president, founder, and CEO of the Georgia-based biotech company Zirus, has joined Ballard Spahr’s intellectual property practice as of counsel in Atlanta. Mr. Perryman is a member of the firm’s Patents, Life Sciences/Technology, and Transactional Finance Groups. He will continue part time in his role as CEO, while Zirus spins out a series of separately managed companies from its platform.
Before founding Zirus, Mr. Perryman was a partner and head of the biotechnology patent practice at Needle & Rosenberg, the IP boutique law firm acquired by Ballard Spahr in 2008. He has more than 20 years of experience advising biotech companies, venture capital funds, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the National Institutes of Health, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and numerous colleges and universities on the strategic use of intellectual property to achieve their goals.
“David is an outstanding attorney, and his background in science and business makes him particularly well suited to helping clients who develop and market new technologies and those who support or invest in the life sciences or technology,” said Bill Needle, Chair of Ballard Spahr’s Intellectual Property Department. “David has a wealth of patent experience and a deep understanding of the legal needs and goals of our clients. He is an enormous asset to the firm and its clients.”
At Ballard Spahr, Mr. Perryman will counsel clients worldwide who are engaged in the discovery, development, and commercialization of life sciences and technology. He will also advise the institutions that support them through contract research, product development, formulation, and production, and will represent banks and other financial institutions that invest in technology.
“My goal in business has been to relieve the pain and suffering caused by infectious disease in a way that is commercially rewarding to investors,” Mr. Perryman said. “At Ballard, I can work with companies that are developing groundbreaking discoveries and help them get the practical legal advice and support they need to create value. I am very much looking forward to once again working closely with the team here.”