John Zurawski is a licensed patent attorney who combines his patent prosecution background with deep experience in corporate and contract matters to help clients maximize the value and success of their businesses. John provides strategic guidance on business and legal issues, with an emphasis on intellectual property procurement and technology development in the life science and biotechnology industries. John works closely with startups and entrepreneurs, supporting these emerging businesses with 360-degree guidance throughout their commercial lifecycle—including the critical period between formation and early-stage financing.
John routinely prepares, prosecutes, and manages complex patent portfolios focused on biotechnology, molecular biology, immunology, gene therapy, virology, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, diagnostics, stem cells, and biosensors. He provides patentability opinions and performs portfolio diligence for acquisition and sale-side transactions. In addition, John prepares and negotiates agreements for both in- and out-licensing, sponsored research, joint development, clinical research agreements, and other technology-specific commercial contracts.
Experience
Representative Matters
Mr. Zurawski's experience includes representing:
- A world-renowned, research institution in preparation, prosecution, and management of patent portfolios for a gene-editing platform technology.
- Executive management of an emerging biotech company on numerous corporate matters, including in- and out- technology licensing, preparing material transfer and sponsored research agreements, and general contract negotiations
- Several startup businesses in the health IT, biotechnology, and pharmaceuticals industries in drafting, counseling, and negotiating initial license agreements from academic institutions
Professional Highlights
Judicial Clerkships
Hon. John T.J. Kelly, Jr., Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Superior Court, Philadelphia, Summer 2004
Professional Activities
Association of University Technology Managers (AUTM), Chair, Eastern Regional Committee
Pennsylvania Bar Association
Life Sciences Pennsylvania
Licensing Executive Society
Recognition & Accomplishments
Pennsylvania Super Lawyers, Rising Star, 2010, 2013, 2015-2017
Speaking Engagements
Moderator, "Medical Devices," 2020 Translational Medicene Symposium, University of Utah, February 27, 2020
"Fireside Chat with the Deputy Commissioner for Patents," USPTO AUTM Eastern Regional Meeting, September 14, 2018
"Life Science Licensing and Intellectual Property Exclusivity," Freedom From Cancer Startup Challenge, February 26, 2018
Publications
Co-author, "Proteins, Recognition Networks, and Macromolecular Biosensing," Journal of Molecular Recognition, 17(3): 198-208, May-June 2003
Co-author, "Chain Reaction Cloning: A One Step Method for Directional Ligation of Multiple DNA Fragments," Gene 243: (1-2) February 8, 2000
Credentials
Education
Villanova University School of Law (J.D. 2006)
Associate Editor, Villanova Law Review
President, Student Bar Association
University of Pennsylvania (M. Biotech, Molecular Biology, 2000)
University of Pennsylvania (B.A., Molecular Biology, 1999)
Admissions
Pennsylvania
New Jersey
U.S. Patent and Trademark Office