Blaine Zern, Ph.D. Photo

Blaine J. Zern, Ph.D.

Associate
*Not admitted in North Carolina

Overview

Blaine focuses his practice on patent preparation and prosecution in the U.S. and abroad, as well as preparing invalidity, freedom to operate, and patentability opinions. He draws on the technical insights and scientific knowledge gained as a cross-disciplinary engineer and scientist to tackle the challenges facing biomedical, life science, and physical science innovators. 

Blaine has in-depth experience in technology areas such as drug formulation, polymers, immunotherapy, alloys, biomolecule-drug conjugates, coatings, tissue engineering, batteries, ink formulation, textiles, agricultural products, and food science.  

Prior to joining Michael Best, Blaine earned his Ph.D. at the Georgia Institute of Technology & Emory University, where his thesis research involved novel biomaterial synthesis for use in drug delivery and tissue engineering applications.

As a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Pennsylvania, Blaine worked in the area of targeted therapeutics and molecular imaging.

Blaine was also a Center for Technology Transfer fellow at the University of Pennsylvania, where he performed technology assessments, prior art searches, patentability evaluations, and market research for inventions in both the physical and life science areas.

Blaine has spoken and written extensively on topics related to biomaterials and the therapeutic use of nanoparticle carriers.

Before becoming an attorney, Blaine spent seven years as a Patent Agent in Michael Best’s IP practice group.

Honors & Recognitions

  • CALI Excellence for the Future Award in Legal Writing I (2018), Legal Writing III (2020), Patent Office Practice (2020), and Native American Law (2021)
  • Chicago-Kent Legal Scholar, 2019
  • Chicago-Kent 1L Fellowship in Intellectual Property, 2018
  • Co-inventor of U.S. Patent No. 8,529,928 entitled “Biomimetic polymers and uses thereof”

Education

Bar Admission

Court Admission

Insights

Education

Bar Admission

Court Admission

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