Gregory C. Houghton
Easton,PA
Summary
Accomplished Intellectual Property Director with a strong track record in protecting and managing IP assets globally. Skilled in leading cross-functional teams, developing strategic IP plans, and overseeing patent and trademark processes. Adept at navigating complex legal landscapes to minimize risk and maximize protection. Committed to fostering collaboration and innovation to drive business success.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
Work History
Director, Intellectual Property
PTC Therapeutics
Warren, NJ
01.2022 - 05.2025
- Partnered with leadership teams to develop and implement strategies for protecting IP assets.
- Led the development and execution of global patent and trademark strategies and processes.
- Managed high-performance teams across patents, research, and business to implement patent strategies, minimizing risk and maximizing protection for development and commercial products in Research and Development.
- Drafted and prosecuted patent applications for small and large molecules at the global level.
- Formulated patent and regulatory exclusivities for development and commercial projects, providing recommendations on loss of exclusivity (LoE) for business forecasting.
- Examined patents, file histories, prior art, litigation, and citizen's petitions to develop strategies for 505(b)(1) and 505(b)(2) product applications.
- Assisted in guiding formulation development considering patents and potential future litigation, including Hatch-Waxman.
- Led patentability and freedom-to-operate activities, securing freedom from blocking third-party patent rights.
- Drafted and negotiated licensing agreements and IP contracts globally, including Clinical Trial Agreements, MTAs, IIRAs, technology transfer, CDAs, service agreements, co-development, research collaboration, and Freedom-to-Operate licensing agreements.
- Developed educational programs for researchers, regulatory, and business teams to enhance understanding of patent and regulatory exclusivities.
- Supported NDA filings and managed Orange Book listings.
- Supported business partners in generic ANDA and other IP litigation matters.
- Managed outside counsel to optimize spending and maximize results.
- Managed IP budgets to optimize resource use and meet internal cost targets.
- Maintained full accountability of intellectual property to Research and Development, business development, and licensing groups.
Senior Patent Counsel
Novartis Pharmaceuticals
East Hanover, NJ
06.2010 - 12.2021
- Collaborated with leadership teams to develop, implement, and communicate strategies for protecting IP assets, including patents, trademarks, and copyrights.
- Developed and implemented global patent and trademark strategies and processes.
- Managed, directed, and developed patent associates on IP matters and communication skills, supporting Research and Development, patent drafting and prosecution, contract drafting, negotiations, and branded products globally.
- Led teams in implementing patent strategies to minimize risk and maximize protection for development and commercial products.
- Managed patent activities for commercial products in Cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, Oncology, Autoimmune, and Respiratory research globally.
- Conducted due diligence on third-party patent portfolios and provided recommendations for acquisition or licensing opportunities in various therapeutic areas.
- Formulated patent strategies and regulatory exclusivities for projects, providing recommendations on LoE for forecasting.
- Led patentability and freedom-to-operate activities, securing freedom from blocking third-party patent rights.
- Drafted and negotiated global licensing agreements and IP contracts, including MTAs, IIRAs, technology transfer, CDAs, service agreements, co-development, research collaboration, and Freedom-to-Operate agreements.
- Managed outside counsel to optimize costs and results.
- Oversaw IP budgets to optimize resources and meet internal targets.
- Maintained full accountability of intellectual property to Research and Development and business development and licensing groups.
- Drafted and prosecuted patent applications for small and large molecules globally.
- Supported NDA filings and managed Orange Book listings.
- Supported business partners in generic ANDA and other IP litigation issues.
- Developed publication strategies to minimize risks to patenting.
Senior Patent Counsel
Ikaria
Clinton, NJ
01.2010 - 06.2010
- Managed, directed, and leveraged all intellectual property, including patents, trademarks, and copyrights.
- Directed specific patent activities, including collaborating with research and engineering teams.
- Led IP development for the medical device INOMAX (nitric oxide) gas for inhalation.
- Conducted due diligence on third-party patent portfolios.
- Formulated patent strategies in development projects and managed patent situations, including freedom-to-operate and interference proceedings.
- Secured freedom from blocking third-party patent rights.
- Maintained full accountability of intellectual property to Research and Development, business development, and licensing groups.
- Supported the company in generic ANDA litigation issues.
- Developed interactive patent educational programs for researchers to deepen understanding and appreciation of the patent process.
Patent Attorney
Novartis Pharmaceuticals
East Hanover, NJ
06.2004 - 01.2010
- Directed patent activities within Oncology, Respiratory/Dermatology, and Neuroscience research globally.
- Drafted and prosecuted small molecule patent applications, supported by more than eight years of research experience.
- Conducted due diligence on third-party patent portfolios and provided recommendations for acquisitions or licensing in Oncology, Respiratory, and Neuroscience.
- Assisted in formulating patent strategies in development projects, including freedom-to-operate and interference proceedings.
- Secured freedom from blocking third-party patent rights.
- Maintained full accountability of intellectual property to Research and Development and business development and licensing groups.
- Supported the company in generic ANDA litigation issues.
- Developed 'The Patent Puzzle' educational program for researchers.
- Corporate Intellectual Property.
Patent Attorney
Mathews, Collins, Shepherd & McKay. P.A.
Princeton, NJ
11.2002 - 06.2004
- Prepared and prosecuted chemical compound, mechanical, and chemical engineering patent applications for large and small clients.
- Researched and drafted 'Freedom to operate' opinion letters for generic pharmaceutical companies and advised clients on patentability.
- Researched and drafted opinion letters for trademark registration and use.
- Prosecuted patent interference cases with Bruce Collins.
- Supported litigation.
Patent Agent
Bristol Myers Squibb (Formerly DuPont Pharmaceuticals)
Wilmington, DE
01.2001 - 11.2002
- Prepared and prosecuted chemical compound patent applications in pharmaceutical therapeutic areas including cardiovascular, inflammation, central nervous system, and virology.
- Communicated with inventors and foreign agents regarding patent applications and prosecution before foreign Patent Offices.
Patent Liaison
Bristol Myers Squibb (Formerly DuPont Pharmaceuticals)
08.2000 - 01.2001
- Assisted in prosecuting Office Actions within the inflammatory disease area.
- Maintained part-time experience as a researcher within the research division.
Education
J.D. -
WIDENER UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF LAW
05-2002
B.S. - Chemistry
PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIVERSITY
12-1992
Skills
- Global IP Strategies
- Cross-Functional Global Teams
- Domestic and International Patent Prosecution
- Patent Law Management of Outside Counsel
- Freedom-to-Operate and Clearance
- Infringement Analyses
- Validity/Invalidity Analyses
- Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategies
- Client/Customer Relationship Management
- Active Listening
Timeline
Director, Intellectual Property
PTC Therapeutics
01.2022 - 05.2025
Senior Patent Counsel
Novartis Pharmaceuticals
06.2010 - 12.2021
Senior Patent Counsel
Ikaria
01.2010 - 06.2010
Patent Attorney
Novartis Pharmaceuticals
06.2004 - 01.2010
Patent Attorney
Mathews, Collins, Shepherd & McKay. P.A.
11.2002 - 06.2004
Patent Agent
Bristol Myers Squibb (Formerly DuPont Pharmaceuticals)
01.2001 - 11.2002
Patent Liaison
Bristol Myers Squibb (Formerly DuPont Pharmaceuticals)
08.2000 - 01.2001
B.S. - Chemistry
PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIVERSITY
J.D. -
WIDENER UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF LAW
PUBLICATIONS
- Batt, D., Houghton, G., Polyfunctional pyridines from nitroacetamide and β-diketones. A useful synthesis of substituted imidazo [4,5–β] pyridines and related compounds., J. Heterocyclic Chem., 1995, 32, 963
- Tierney, J., Houghton, G., Mascavage, L., McCoy, M., Findeisen, A., Kilburn, J., Effects and Conformational Analysis of Some Substituted 2,3-Diphenyl-1,3-thiazolidin-4-ones., Magnetic Resonance in Chemistry, 1996, 34, 573-576
- DeRosa, M., Houghton, G., Issac, R., First preparation of 2-Aminopyrrole and simple 1-substituted-2-Aminopyrroles., Tetrahedron Letters, 1995, 36, 51, 9261-9264
- Pinto, D., Batt, D., Pitts, W., Petraitis, J., Orwat, M., Wang, S., Houghton, G., Jetter, J., Sherk, S., Copeland, R., Covington, M., Traskos, J., Magolda, R., Terphenyl Cyclooxygenase-2-(COX2) Inhibitors: o-Biphenyl analogs and the optimization of the central ring., Bioorganic and Medicinal Chemistry Letters, 1999, 9, 919-924
- Olson, R., Sielecki, T., Wityak, J., Pinto, D., Batt, D., Houghton, G., Frietze, W., Liu, J., Tobin, A., Orwat, M., DiMeo, S., Lalka, G., Mousa, S., Racanelli, A., Hausner, E., Kapil, R., Rabel, S., Thoolen, M., Reilly, T., Anderson, P., Wexler, R., Orally Active Isoxazoline Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa Antagonists with Extended Duration of Action., J. Med. Chem., 1999, 42, 1178-1192
- Batt, D., Houghton, G., Daneker, W., Jadhav, P., Synthesis of Cis and Trans Isomers of an Isoxazoline Ring-Hydroxylated Metabolite of Rofixiban, a Platelet Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa Receptor Antagonist., J. Org. Chem., 2000, 65, 8100-8104
- Batt, D., Petraitis, J., Houghton, G., Modi, D., Corjay, M., Mousa, S., Wexler, R., Jadhav, P., Disubstituted Indazoles as Potent Antagonists of the Integrin αvβ3., J. Med. Chem., 2000, 43, 41-58
BAR ADMISSIONS
- Admission to practice before the state of Pennsylvania
- The state of New Jersey
- The Federal District Court of New Jersey
- The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
RESEARCH
- Staff Scientist (1993-2001)
- Bristol Myers Squibb (Formerly DuPont Pharmaceuticals), Wilmington, DE 19880
- Conducted research within the therapeutic areas of cardiovascular and inflammation.
- Independently completed high-profile research projects.
- Prepared and purified potential targets for drug candidacy within research programs.
- Organized and presented monthly presentations highlighting research accomplishments.
- Utilized databases to investigate alternative synthetic methods and available starting materials.
- Compiled research data for publications and patents.