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News About DC

IN THIS DAY AND AGE, NEWS TRAVELS FASTER THAN EVER BEFORE.

And when it’s about Dunlap Codding, our team and our accomplishments, it all lands right here.
Dunlap Codding Associate Angel Gerdzhikov Interviewed on Bulgarian National Radio
Posted Jan 16, 2013 at 9:11 am See More

Angel Gerdzhikov was recently interviewed on Radio Plovdiv, a Bulgarian national radio station, answering questions about growing up in Plovdiv, moving to Oklahoma, and “achieving the American dream.”   

Angel has been an associate attorney with Dunlap Codding since 2010, working in the areas of patent drafting and prosecution, patentability analysis, prior art search, and licensing on behalf of clients.  

Ward Hobson and Marc Brockhaus published in CorporateLiveWire’s Expert Guide to Intellectual Property
Posted Dec 21, 2012 at 14:53 pm See More

CorporateLiveWire has published its Expert Guide to Intellectual Property 2012.  The Guide includes an article by Dunlap Codding attorneys Ward Hobson and Marc Brockhaus, entitled “IP Update:  Recent Change in U.S. Patent Law Regarding Inducement to Infringe.” The entire Expert Guide to Intellectual Property can be accessed on CorporateLiveWire’s website.

Dunlap Codding Shareholder Doug Sorocco Quoted Extensively in MacNewsWorld on the Apple/Google Kodak Patent Deal
Posted Dec 17, 2012 at 14:21 pm See More

Doug Sorocco was quoted extensively in MacNewsWorld on December 12, 2012, in an article by Rachelle Dragani, “Apple Cozies Up to Google for Kodak Patent Deal.”  

Apple’s rumored odd-couple alliance with Google to buy Kodak patents is primarily a defensive opportunity for both companies to gain access to a broad portfolio and share in the underlying costs, said patent attorney Douglas Sorocco. “Both parties are looking to insulate themselves from patent infringement claims if a third party got their hands on one or more of the patents.” 

Normally, that defense could be especially helpful for Apple, which is fighting Samsung in courtrooms around the world. In the Kodak patent buy case, however, Apple’s partnership with Google could be doing more for Samsung than Apple might like, suggested Sorocco. 

“Generally, this move probably is more helpful to Samsung, as they work closely with Google and the Android operating system,” he pointed out.  Still, the move makes sense from both sides, Sorocco continued. As much attention as Apple’s high-profile battle with Samsung gets, it’s not the only patent war the company is waging. Teaming up with a noted rival to increase its portfolio could be a move that ultimately saves precious legal resources in the future. 

“My read is that this is primarily a defensive opportunity for both Apple and Google to gain access to a broad portfolio of technology patents and share in the underlying costs,” Sorocco observed. 

“Both companies get what they want — freedom from suit and potential bargaining chips — and share the cost of doing so,” he pointed out. “It’s a pretty smart strategic and financial decision and doesn’t significantly impact the underlying disputes the companies have with one another on their core technologies.”

Dunlap Codding In the News—New Offices Being Built in the Film Exchange District of Oklahoma City
Posted Oct 22, 2012 at 8:07 am See More

The Journal Record recently reported on Dunlap Codding’s new offices in the works at 609 West Sheridan in the Film Exchange District of Oklahoma City.  Reporter Brianna Bailey wrote, “With the help of the commercial construction company Design+Build Group, local intellectual property firm Dunlap Codding is transforming a 1920s-era industrial building in the Film Exchange District into a headquarters for its growing law practice.”  The firm’s shareholders purchased the 14,250-square-foot brick building in December. 

Douglas Sorocco, one of the firm’s shareholders, was quoted as saying the area was a good fit for the firm.  “Since we work with very creative and innovative people – artists, scientists and musicians – we wanted a space that kind of reflected that creativity and innovation we see in our clients,” he said.  Working closely with Design+Build Group, the firm is remodeling the industrial space—originally built in the 1920s—to include more than 40 new windows and skylights in the brick building.  The firm has also planned a spacious outdoor courtyard for employee use and anticipates making the space available for community creative events.  The firm also anticipates expansion and is building in the infrastructure for an eventual second and third floor.

Dunlap Codding Associate Michelle Briggs Chairs IgniteOKC 4
Posted Oct 19, 2012 at 9:15 am See More

OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA—October 19, 2012—Dunlap Codding Associate Attorney Michelle Briggs was recently quoted in an article in The Daily Oklahoman on the fourth IgniteOKC event to be held in conjunction with Creative Oklahoma on November 13 at the Civic Center Music Hall. Briggs chairs IgniteOKC 4, an event bringing together techies, artists, and entrepreneurs. Ignite events feature speakers presenting their insights via 20 slides in 5 minutes. Briggs noted that this year’s event offers one of the most diversified groups of speakers on topics ranging from serious to intriguing to funny.

“We’re very excited about this new partnership with Creative Oklahoma and their State of Creativity Forum….Our first three events were very well received by the business and creative communities in Oklahoma City, and we’re building on that momentum by joining forces with such a dynamic event,” said Briggs. Susan McCalmont, president of Creative Oklahoma, was quoted as saying, “We are excited to work with IgniteOKC and spread the word that Oklahoma is the official State of Creativity.”

Barbara Krebs Yuill, Ph.D., Esq., Named an Oklahoma Rising Star
Posted Oct 16, 2012 at 15:46 pm See More

 Dunlap Codding is pleased to announce that Barbara Krebs Yuill, Ph.D, Esq., has been named to the Oklahoma Rising Stars list as one of the top up-and-coming attorneys in Oklahoma.  Each year, no more than 2.5 percent of the lawyers in the state receive this honor.  Selection for this list is made by the research team at Super Lawyers, a Thomson Reuters business.  The annual selections are made using a rigorous multi-phased process that includes a statewide survey of lawyers, an independent research evaluation of candidates, and peer reviews by practice area. 

Dr. Yuill practices in the areas of patent, trademark, copyright, and trade secret law. She counsels clients in all aspects of intellectual property including patent drafting and prosecution, preparation of patent infringement and patent validity opinions; trademark clearance and registration; license preparation and negotiation; and copyright infringement defense and negotiation. She was previously selected by attorney peers for inclusion in Oklahoma Super Lawyers–Rising Stars Edition 2010 and 2011. Barb has prepared patent applications in the areas of nanoparticle manufacture, treatment and use; chemical processing; metallurgical and ceramic materials and manufacture; oil field chemicals and drilling methods; environmental remediation technologies; and mechanical devices for the medical, veterinary and sporting goods industries.

Dunlap Codding P.C. is an Oklahoma City-based law firm serving regional, national and international clients.  Established in 1957 as Oklahoma’s original intellectual property firm, Dunlap Codding remains the state’s largest and most versatile IP boutique.  Dunlap Codding represents a substantial number of sophisticated client companies, and for the past 50 years has obtained more patents, trademarks and copyrights than any other firm in the region.

Lewis Craft, Esq., Joins Dunlap Codding
Posted Oct 16, 2012 at 13:33 pm See More

Dunlap Codding is pleased to announce that Lewis Craft has joined the firm as an associate.  Lewis practices in the areas of patents drafting and prosecution, licensing, prior art searches, and patentability analysis.   Dunlap Codding Managing Shareholder Nick Rouse said, “We are happy to have Lewis join us as an associate attorney; we are growing and he brings needed skills to the table.” 

Lewis graduated from The University of Oklahoma College of Law in May 2012 and recently passed the bar examination.  Prior to working at Dunlap Codding, he was a patent intern at The University of Oklahoma’s Office of Technology Development.  He also worked at Kenyon Energy as an assistant landman and legal clerk.  While in law school, Craft was on the Dean’s List, 2009–2012, served as the American Indian Law Review Articles Editor, 2011–2012, was a member of the OU Law Dean’s Council, 2010–2011, received the Robert T. Rennie Scholarship, and was inducted in the Order of Solicitors in 2012.  Lewis is a member of the American Inns of Court—Luther Bohanon Chapter, and is a member of the Sigma Nu Alumni Advisory Board—University of Oklahoma Chapter.

Lewis received his B.S. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Minnesota in May 2009.  While attending the University of Minnesota, he interned at 3M, assisting in the development and scale-up of a non-halogenated resin later used in the production of a “green” optical film which was implemented in an array of products.

Dunlap Codding Shareholder Douglas J. Sorocco Named To The Board Of Directors Of Creative Oklahoma
Posted Sep 11, 2012 at 10:14 am See More

Doug Sorocco has been named to the Board of Directors of Creative Oklahoma, a non-profit organization advancing the economy through initiatives in education, commerce, and culture.  Sorocco said, “It’s exhilarating to be part of Creative Oklahoma’s visionary efforts to foster creativity and innovation through its North American and international initiatives.”

Formed in 2006, Creative Oklahoma is the first non-profit in the U.S. with a strategy to encourage and support the development of creativity and innovation in the education, commerce, and culture sectors.  The organization sparked the development of the National Creativity Network, a national non-profit organization linking more than 15 regions in the U.S. and Canada sharing best practices and providing national education offerings.  Creative Oklahoma is the only North American region represented in the international Districts of Creativity Network, linking together 14 regions of creativity throughout the world.  Among the organization’s initiatives is the annual Oklahoma Creativity Form to be held on November 13, 2012, at the CoxConvention Center in downtown Oklahoma City.

Doug Sorocco is a shareholder at Dunlap Codding and is known for his creative and strategic collaborations with the firm’s intellectual property clients.  He, along with firm associate Michelle Briggs, recently authored “Who Owns It?  Copyright Ownership for the Collaborative Age,” in the fall 2012 issue of Paradigm, the magazine of Primerus, an international society of boutique law firms. 

Along with Doug Sorocco, the board, officers, and advisors of Creative Oklahoma represent some of Oklahoma’s finest companies, individuals, and organizations.

Board of Directors

Chair—Don Betz, University of Central Oklahoma, President

Past Chair—Ken Fergeson, NBC Oklahoma, Chairman

Founding Chair—Burns Hargis, Oklahoma State University, President

Treasurer—John McCarroll, OETA-TV, Executive Director

Secretary—Mark Robertson, Robertson & Williams, Partner

President—Susan McCalmont, Creative Oklahoma

Directors and Affiliations

  • Judy Allen, Choctaw Nation, Executive Director of Public Relations
  • Jari Askins, OU HealthSciencesCenter, Associate Provost For External Relations
  • Scott Booker, The Academy of Contemporary Music at the University of Central Oklahoma, Executive Director
  • Ken Busby, Tulsa Arts & Humanities Council, Executive Director
  • Allen Brown, Frankfurt-Short-Bruza Associates, Principal
  • Bart Conner, Perfect 10 Productions, CEO
  • Kyle Dahlem, The DaVinci Institute, Board President
  • Randy Decker, SandRidge Energy, Inc., Director of Community Relations
  • John DeSteiguer, OklahomaChristianUniversity, President
  • Jenny Dunning, KeystoneAdventureSchool and Farm, Founder
  • Jeanette Elliott, Ackerman-McQueen, Executive Vice President, Creative Director
  • Robyn Elliott, Chickasaw Nation, Division of Comm., Administrator
  • John Feaver, USAO, President
  • Pageant Ferriabough, Busine$$’s Resources Unlimited, President & CEO
  • Mary Frates, Civic Volunteer
  • Brent Gooden, The Gooden Group, President
  • Susan Harkness, OG&E Energy Corp., Public Affairs
  • Jean Hendrickson, Oklahoma A+ Schools, Executive Director
  • Robert Henry, Oklahoma CityUniversity, President
  • Gail Huneryager, Crowe & Dunlevy, Director of Business Development
  • John Kennedy, Irish Realty, CEO
  • Julia Kirt, Oklahoma Visual Arts Coalition, Executive Director
  • Tim Langenberg, Devon Energy Corp, Creative Dir. of Corp. Comm.
  • Greg Main, President, St. Gregory’s University
  • Jim Mason, Oklahoma Nanotechnology Initiative, Executive Director, OKC
  • Stephen McKeever, OklahomaStateUniversity, Vice President
  • Mike Moradi, Century Venture Partners, Managing Director
  • Deidre Myers, OK Dept. of Commerce, Division Director, Research & Economic Analysis
  • Mark Parker, Oklahoma CityUniv., WandaBassSchool of Music, Dean
  • Harvey Pratt, OSBI, Forensic Artist/Specialist
  • Steve Prescott, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, President
  • Andrew Ranson, Giant Capital Fund & The Regional Center of Oklahoma, President
  • Jenifer Reynolds, AAA Discover Oklahoma, Host
  • Shannon Rich, Oklahoma Heritage Association, President
  • Cynthia Rolfe, University of CentralOklahoma, Vice President, Information Technology
  • Steve Saak, Chief Executive Office, S&S Promotions, Inc.
  • Douglas Sorocco, Dunlap Codding, Director
  • Jay Spear, OPUBCO Communications Group, Business Technologist
  • Robert Sternberg, OklahomaStateUniversity, Provost
  • Ken Stoner, TEDxOKC, Organizer
  • Cynthia Swinehart, Design Concepts, Owner
  • Rich Taylor, Univ. of Oklahoma, Weitzenhoffer Coll. of Fine Arts, Dean
  • Gena Timberman, Native American Cultural & Educational Authority, Executive Director
  • Roger Webb, OklahomaChristianSchools, Interim Headmaster
  • Max Weitzenhoffer, Broadway Producer

Founding Advisor—Sir Ken Robinson, PhD is an internationally recognized leader in the development of education, creativity and innovation.

Advisors

  • Kim Baker, Oklahoma Arts Council, Executive Director
  • Janet Barresi, OK Department of Education, Superintendent, Oklahoma City
  • Phil Berkenbile, OK Dept. of Career & Tech. Education, State Director, Stillwater
  • Bob Blackburn, Oklahoma Historical Society, Director, Oklahoma City
  • Michael Carolina, OklahomaCenter for the Advancement of Science and Technology, Executive Director
  • Glenn Coffee, State of Oklahoma, Secretary of State, Oklahoma City
  • Glen Johnson, OklahomaState Regents, Chancellor, Oklahoma City
  • Julie Knutson, The OklahomaAcademy for State Goals, President & CEO
  • Ann Thompson, Oklahoma Humanities Council, Executive Director
  • Carol Troy, Saxum Communications, Senior Vice President, Oklahoma City
  • David Lopez, Oklahoma Secretary of Commerce and Tourism
  • Phyllis Hudecki, Oklahoma Secretary of Education
Kathryn Hester, Ph.D., Becomes Dunlap Codding’s Risk Manager
Posted Sep 10, 2012 at 14:44 pm See More

Kathryn Hester, Ph.D., has been named Dunlap Codding’s Risk Manager.  As Risk Manager for the firm, she will confer with the firm’s Board of Directors and will be responsible for identifying areas of risk for the firm and its clients, establishing policies and procedures to guard against those risks, and monitoring compliance with the policies and procedures.  Dunlap Codding’s Managing Shareholder Nick Rouse said, “Kathryn is the perfect person to serve as our Risk Manager in light of her extreme dedication, attention to detail, and her client-driven perspective.”      

Dr. Hester is a patent agent registered to practice before the United States Patent and Trademark Office. She focuses on patent prosecution and provides strategic and tactical patent counseling to clients that include start-up biotechnology companies as well as universities and large pharmaceutical and manufacturing companies.  Kathryn’s technological focus includes all areas of biotechnology, including molecular biology, cell biology, glycobiology, biochemistry, developmental biology, immunology, microbiology, virology, and genetics; pharmaceutical compositions; molecular diagnostics and techniques; medical devices and equipment; and the chemical and mechanical arts.  She received her Ph.D. from the University of Oklahoma, with honors, in Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, and her B.S. from Southern Nazarene University, summa cum laude, in Chemistry.

Dunlap Codding Attorneys Selected for Inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America 2013
Posted Sep 6, 2012 at 9:53 am See More

Nicholas D. Rouse and Joseph P. Titterington have been selected by attorney peers throughout the profession for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America 2013 ®, the oldest and most respected peer–review publication in the legal profession.  Firm shareholder Doug Sorocco said “we’re delighted that Nick and Joe have been named to Best Lawyers; the honor mirrors our own perception of their talents and skills in client care and legal excellence.”  

Nick Rouse, listed in The Best Lawyers of America 2013 in the fields of Patent Law and Trademark Law, has served as Dunlap Codding’s managing shareholder since 2007 while continuing an active practice.  In its inaugural coverage of intellectual property law in Oklahoma, the highly regarded Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business ranked Nick in the top band of leading practitioners. Nick provides a broad range of patent counseling to clients ranging from individual inventors to large multinational manufacturing companies. His practice includes patent preparation and prosecution, patent portfolio management, validity and infringement opinions, evaluations of new designs, and licensing strategy.  Nick graduated from the University of Oklahoma in 1987 with a B.S. in Petroleum Engineering, and received his J.D. from the University of Oklahoma College of Law in 1990. He is a member of the Intellectual Property Law Section of the Oklahoma Bar Association, and recently served as its president. 

Joe Titterington, listed in The Best Lawyers of America 2013 in the field of Litigation – Intellectual Property, heads Dunlap Codding’s litigation practice and focuses on the areas of complex commercial transactions, business tort, and intellectual property law. He has litigated cases throughout the United States involving diverse areas of the law including patent infringement, trademark infringement, copyright infringement, trade secret misappropriation, oil and gas, antitrust, and construction.  Joe received his J.D. from the University of Oklahoma College of Law in 1980 and received his B.S. from Oklahoma State University in 1976.

Since its inception in 1983, Best Lawyers has become universally regarded as the definitive guide to legal excellence. Because Best Lawyers is based on an exhaustive peer–review survey on the legal abilities of other lawyers in their practice areas, and because lawyers are not required or allowed to pay a fee to be listed, inclusion in Best Lawyers is considered a singular honor. Corporate Counsel magazine has called Best Lawyers “the most respected referral list of attorneys in practice.”

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DC On Film Row

About DC on Film Row

DC on Film Row is a free event space open to everyone in our community.

We like to say that the space is a “home for creatives and innovators, home builders and the homeless, celebrators and the celebrated” so people understand that we are inclusive and want everyone from throughout our community using our space.

Our goal is to celebrate the incredible diversity of creativity, innovation, and passion within Oklahoma City and to provide a venue—free of charge—to those groups and individuals working to bind us all together and make our home a cooler and better place. No strings attached—no extensive rules to follow. We simply ask that all of our neighbors be honored and that all viewpoints be respected. Our criteria for use is simple: If the event, group, or meeting is something which strengthens our community and brings us all together, the space is available for use.

The space has hosted everything from charitable fundraisers to an underground nightclub party to celebrate Canterbury Choral Society’s 45th anniversary season. We host dinners for the OKC homeless population most Monday evenings where upwards of 250 people are served—we provide the space and soft drinks and a local church provides the food. We’ve hosted university planning retreats and monthly local rock concerts.

Every Wednesday, we open up the courtyard for lunch, invite a local food truck to set up outside our gates, and welcome our downtown neighbors into the space for a bit of socialization.

Our never-ending soda fountain seems to be the biggest hit with some of our neighbors while others spend time playing pool or simply chatting about what is happening on the weekend.

For October we turn the space into a haunted house and invite the neighborhood children to come out and trick-or-treat.

Got an idea for how to use the space? Just ask us – we’re almost certain to say yes!

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Industries Served

Pharmaceuticals

LIFE SCIENCES AND BIOCHEMISTRY
Leveraging Patent Portfolios

Our professionals routinely assist legacy and start-up companies in the acquisition and exploitation of patent portfolios of cutting edge research in the areas of pharmaceuticals, drug formulation, medical technology, drug screening, inflammation inhibitors, regulation of skin pigmentation, testing for environmental pollution, novel treatments of septic shock, and water and food quality testing.  We have an exceptional track record in identifying and protecting inventions involving:

  • Pain regulation
  • Tissue grafting
  • Cloning/gene expression/protein production, isolation and characterization
  • Cell surface expressional
  • Medical/surgical anesthetic devices
  • Biocidal formulations and coatings
  • Toxicity screening
  • Enzymatic activity assays
  • Drug delivery systems
  • Developing Portfolio Strategy

We believe that a pragmatic and strategic approach is necessary to ensure that every portfolio is strong on defense as well as on offense. Whether it is a core, a platform, a fence-picket or a poker-chip technology, Dunlap Codding has the depth of experience and tools necessary to help our clients determine whether it is an asset or simply just an expense.

Chemistry and Chemicals

Chemistry is one of the fundamental foundations of science and technology. Emerging chemical research and experimentation continually produce innovations that shape the field of raw materials and affects the lives of every person on the planet.

Dunlap Codding is fortunate to work with and contribute to the success of many of the leading researchers and entrepreneurs in these areas. From nano-fibers to synthetic and recombinant polymers, Dunlap Codding consistently provides clients with broad-based, cost-effective patent prosecution in the chemical arts.

The depth of our skill and experience is unmatched in our region. We represent several of the largest chemical companies in the world and have shepherded the development of complex patent portfolios and transactional items.

Selected Clients

Invista S.a.r.l. is one of the world’s largest integrated fibers and polymers businesses. The company has a powerful portfolio of some of the most recognized global brands—Lycra®, Stainmaster®, Cordura®—for example. Built on a heritage of innovation, Invista owns more than 700 unique pending or granted U.S. patents, with corresponding patents in nearly all the countries where they have a business presence. We were honored to be one of Invista’s preferred providers of intellectual property services supporting their chemical intermediates and performance fiber initiatives. As part of these efforts, we wrote and prosecuted patents on hundreds of Invista technologies and provided strategic planning and facilitated innovation services to maintain Invista’s technological lead. Notably, Invista relied on our chemical engineering and chemistry expertise for transactional matters requiring complex reviews of freedom to operate, infringement, and invalidity concerns. Recently we provided Invista with the due diligence analysis and opinions required for the placement and construction of a chemical plan requiring a capital investment of more than $1 billion dollars.

Cristal USA Inc. is the United States arm of Cristal Arabia, one of the largest titanium dioxide and performance chemicals producers in the world. As part of our representation of Cristal, we are responsible for the strategic development and management of Cristal’s intellectual property portfolio, including the patent assets of Millennium Inorganic Chemicals—a wholly owned subsidiary of Cristal. Cristal and Millennium’s technologies encompass titanium dioxide, titanium metal, performance chemicals, and DeNOx technologies for removing nitrous oxide from the exhaust of internal combustion engines. We have developed a proprietary process for the identification of patenting opportunities, and use the process in facilitated sessions with technical and business personnel of Millennium. This proprietary process currently tracks more than 100 companies and approximately 1,000 intellectual property documents.

We work with DuPont Performance Elastomers to facilitate the development of new technologies and patenting strategies around DPE’s core elastomer technologies. In addition to such strategic planning, we provide assistance and guidance to DuPont’s in-house legal staff and technical champions.

Technology Focus:
Nanotechnology

We obtained multiple patent families for Dr. Daniel Resasco, a University of Oklahoma professor of chemical engineering. Dr. Resasco’s pioneering work in sulfur tolerant catalysts and nanotechnology resulted in the first method for making carbon nanotubes in commercial quantities.

Surface Technology

We represent international chemical companies such as SDC Technologies Inc., a world leader in the development and manufacturing of polymeric high-performance abrasion resistant coating systems for application to plastic and glass materials. Dunlap Codding helped SDC develop patent portfolios involving several chemical arts such as nanotechnology, material sciences, and state of the art functional surface coating technologies. SDC’s considerable patent portfolio secured its position as a world-wide industry leader providing the chemical marketplace with enhancements required for the materials of tomorrow.

Polymers

We work extensively with clients involved with polymers, polymeric coating compositions and resinous compositions having enhanced color, optical clarity, thermal shock, and impact resistance. Dunlap Codding obtained patent protection for Dr. William Franks’ innovative methods for polymerizing soybean oil. Dr. Franks’ methods led to the development of the first commercially available one hundred percent soybean oil based inks. Dunlap Codding also has expertise in the areas of petrochemicals and water repellent compositions for cellulose containing materials.

Environmental & Green Technologies

We have procured patent rights in various fields of environmental science. Dunlap Codding obtained patents for one of the first water-based inks that is completely free of volatile organic compounds. These inks are water-resistant upon curing and can be printed on polymer films. The inks have won numerous awards and accolades for the impact they have had on environmental quality and safety. Dunlap Codding was also privileged to successfully prosecute the patent that protects the state of the art technology for using sophisticated surfactants to remediate underground pollution. This new technology may also revolutionize the household detergent industry.

The challenges inherent in the specialized field of procuring and protecting chemical intellectual property rights mandate working with legal experts who are well versed in the chemical arts. Our diverse and knowledgeable team of patent attorneys and agents includes former research chemists with extensive chemical background at the doctoral level, a wealth of scientific knowledge gained from industry experience and a former corporate patent general counsel having responsibility for a chemical subsidiary of a major corporation.

Life Sciences

We provide the insight and practical advice required by innovative companies to compete effectively in the marketplace.

Over the past 20 years, life sciences, biotechnology, and pharmaceutical ventures set new records for research and capital investment. Just as the life sciences are the building blocks of life itself, new biotechnologies consistently push the intellectual property envelope, requiring highly specialized and focused representation. Dunlap Codding assists many of these emerging growth companies in the development of their business plans, as well as securing strategic life science patent portfolios that are used for offense as well as defense.

Our life sciences and pharmaceutical practice has grown with the evolving needs of our clients. This evolution is evident in the increased number of Ph.D. level scientists moving into the field of patent prosecution. Along with our experienced patent professionals, top caliber technical advisors having varied academic and industry backgrounds complete our Life Sciences and Pharmaceuticals Practice Group.

Our proficiencies are a reflection of our extensive legal and scientific backgrounds including Doctorate and other advanced degrees in Chemistry, Botany, Plant Physiology, Population, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. We have also served as adjunct faculty members at several universities including the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center and Oklahoma City University School of Law.

Our clients benefit from our professionalism, efficiency, and devotion to their individual intellectual property needs. We provide advice and counseling to medical and biotechnology companies including high-tech startups, university laboratories, research institutions, and established biotechnology pioneers.

We provide the personal attention that results in successful patent portfolios. Dunlap Codding’s expertise extends into all areas of biotechnology including glycobiology, biochemistry, immunology, microbiology, virology, genetics, developmental biology, cell biology, molecular biology, pharmaceutical compositions, molecular diagnostics and techniques, and medical devices and equipment.

A Strategic Partnering Example—Medical Devices/Biotechnology
For a client with a medical device designed to maintain blood flow, we performed a complete state of the art search, analyzing more than 300 references. The current “map” contains more than 1,000 references—patent, technical, and literature.

  • We brainstormed with engineering, legal, business and marketing teams to develop a hierarchy of chokepoints and “white space.”
  • We facilitated innovation strategy meetings and currently maintain an online and proprietary database including visualization tools focused on the information collected and analyzed.
  • We helped the client develop a patent strategy with a specific goal of market entry.  Market entry was achieved within 18 months of project initiation.
Additional highlights of include:
Cutting Edge Biotechnology

We were instrumental in securing intellectual property protection for the first process for producing individual endogenously loaded soluble HLA molecules and on the first recombinant methods for producing hyaluronic acid, chondroitin, and heparin. These patent portfolios have led to the creation of five biotechnology companies in several Oklahoma and Texas metroplexes.

We were instrumental in securing broad platform intellectual property protection for preconditioning and treatment of an intrinsic cardiac nervous system using an implantable electrical stimulus.

Immunology

We secured pioneering intellectual property protection for the first process for producing individual endogenously loaded soluble major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules. Our deep experience and skill in this area also extends to methods and processes for producing T Cell Receptor-mimics (TCRm) and the use of such mimics for the creation of peptides and antibodies for use in vaccines as well as assaying the potency of vaccines. We are pleased to have represented more than 12 U.S. and/or international companies in the field of immunology and we prosecute more than 100 patent applications worldwide per year on immunology-linked inventions.

We also have specific knowledge and experience in the areas of immune modulation, including the induction of targeted immune responses and the induction of specific immune tolerance, and antibody removal for transplantation technologies.

Oncology

We treat the field of oncology with a multi-disciplinary approach. Most biochemical inventions either have or hope to have some impact on the field of oncology. As such, our approach is to create a team of professionals with diverse backgrounds who can effectively and proactively protect a client’s oncology innovations. For example, we prosecuted and obtained the patent portfolio covering the fire recombinant methods for producing hyaluronic acid, chondroitin, and heparin. These glycosaminoglycans show excellent promise for oncological applications and we have extended the portfolio to cover their use as therapeutic and diagnostic tools. Additionally, many of our immunology clients perform research in the field of oncologic therapeutics—including the use of antibodies, cytolytic delivery of peptides, or conjugates for the targeting and treatment of specific forms of cancer, as well as other methods of upregulating the immune system to recognize cancerous cells as foreign. We are also experienced in diagnostic oncologic technologies, including the use of biomarkers and other diagnostic platforms for identification, progression, metastasis and prognosis.