Melissa M. Adams PhD
Dr. Melissa Adams uses her multi-disciplinary understanding of the life sciences, patent law, and strategic intellectual property issues to help a wide range of early-stage to established biotechnology clients to grow and protect the value of their strategic IP portfolios. Focused on patent prosecution and portfolio development, intellectual property due diligence, and intellectual property-related strategic transactions, Melissa has particular expertise in biotechnology and pharmaceuticals including biologics, cell therapy, gene therapy, gene editing, immunology, and microbiology.
Melissa’s Ph.D. research at Harvard University focused on utilizing next-generation sequencing and molecular biology to study energy-generating metabolisms in deep sea microorganisms. She has extensive scientific expertise in molecular biology, microbiology, genomics, and bioinformatics.
Melissa also has experience as a Scientific Editor. She reviewed and revised research publications from non-native English speakers in a broad range of subject areas including cell biology, chemistry, genetics, neuroscience, physiology, and systems biology.
Recognition
- Massachusetts Super Lawyers Rising Star
- Member of Phi Delta Phi
- National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship
- Center for Dark Energy Biosphere Investigations Graduate Fellowship
Representative Engagements
Patent Prosecution and Portfolio Management
- Prepared and successfully prosecuted complex patent applications with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and in over 30 foreign jurisdictions.
- Strategically managing multiple patent portfolios for clients from startups to multinational corporations.
Due Diligence and Competitive Surveillance
- Providing IP counsel and due diligence on behalf of biotechnology company for its clinical trial candidate.
- Designed and implemented competitive surveillance programs.
- Conducted freedom-to-operate, landscape, and patentability analyses.
Strategic Transactions
- Provided intellectual property analyses and support for financing transactions including Series A and B fundraising.
- Assisted with drafting and negotiating intellectual property-related agreements.
Publications and Presentations
- “Practicing Patent Law,” panelist, Boston Patent Law Association, October 2022.
- “Practicing Patent Law,” panelist, Boston Patent Law Association, October 2018.
- “Leveraging your PhD,” panelist, Harvard University, March 2016.
- “Anaerobic oxidation of short-chain alkanes in hydrothermal sediments: potential influences on sulfur cycling and microbial diversity,” first author, Frontiers in Extreme Microbiology, 4:1-11.
- “Anaerobic methane oxidation in metalliferous hydrothermal sediments: influence on carbon flux and decoupling from sulfate reduction,” first author, Environmental Microbiology, 14(10):2726-40.
- “Phosphorus deprivation responses and phosphonate utilization in a thermophilic Synechococcus sp. from microbial mats,” first author, Journal of Bacteriology, 190(24): 8171-8184.
Professional and Community Involvement
- Co-Chair of the Ethics Committee of the Boston Patent Law Association
- Mentor in Harvard Graduate Women in Science and Engineering (HGWISE) program
- Member of the Association for Women in Science
- Member of Team in Training
Education & Credentials
- Suffolk University Law School
- JD, 2020
- Intellectual Property Law Concentration with Distinction
- Harvard University
- PhD, 2014, Microbial Sciences Fellow
- Biology
- Stanford University
- MS, 2007
- Biology
- North Carolina State University
- BS, 2004, summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa
- Biology
- North Carolina State University
- BA, 2004, summa cum laude
- Journalism
Admissions
Massachusetts
United States Patent and Trademark Office