Overview
John Molenda is a first-chair trial and appellate litigator who serves as head of the Intellectual Property practice for the New York office and co-chairs Steptoe's Healthcare & Life Sciences practice. John focuses on patent litigation before US district courts and the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, along with post-grant proceedings in the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
Chambers USA has ranked John for Intellectual Property (Patent) in New York since 2022, noting that "what truly sets John apart is his understanding of client businesses and the level of client service that he provides." Chambers further noted that John is "thoughtful and effective in court" and his "knowledge of appellate patent law and the Federal Circuit judges is second to none." IAM Patent 1000 has ranked John in the US since 2015, recognizing that he is "excellent in developing legal strategies, advocating in court and providing sound advice that meets his clients' business needs" and an "extremely smart and meticulous litigator."
District Court and USPTO Litigation
John has served as lead counsel in numerous high-stakes litigations before district courts throughout the US, including bench trials, jury trials, and injunction proceedings. At the same time, John routinely counsels clients on the strategic use of post-grant proceedings as part of litigation and settlement strategy, and he has served as lead counsel in numerous high-value inter partes reviews (IPRs), post-grant reviews (PGRs), and reexamination proceedings in the USPTO.
In view of his deep background in hard science, he has represented clients across a wide range of technologies, including small molecule pharmaceuticals (Hatch-Waxman), biotherapeutics (biologics), biochemical research tools, medical devices, genetically modified plants, computer software, and automotive parts.
John possesses a particular expertise in high-value Hatch-Waxman and biologics litigation. His experience includes a wide range of small molecule and antibody-based therapies in the areas of oncology, psychiatry, ophthalmology, and cardiology. John has also managed the legal strategy for a global biosimilars program involving a diverse portfolio of monoclonal antibodies and fusion proteins. IAM recognized John for creating a "strong [brand] on both the small and large molecule sides." In view of his talents in life sciences litigation, John was named a 2021 Healthcare/Life Sciences Trailblazer by the National Law Journal and a 2019 Life Sciences MVP by Law360.
Appellate Litigation
John maintains a robust appellate practice before the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, and his deep appellate experience informs his litigation strategy before district courts and the USPTO. He has held substantial roles in nearly 30 Federal Circuit appeals and argued 9 of those appeals. His appeals have involved a wide array of technologies, including pharmaceuticals, fiber optics, semiconductors, and medical devices. John is active in the Federal Circuit community, currently serving as a co-chair of the Bench & Bar Planning Committee for the Federal Circuit Bar Association. Prior to private practice, he served as a Federal Circuit law clerk for the Honorable Alan D. Lourie.
Representative Publications
- "Checking In On Biologics-Related Patent Review Trends," Law360, February 3, 2026
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"Fed. Circ. Rulings Crystallize Polymorph Patent 'Obviousness'," Law360, June 4, 2024
- "A Comprehensive Overview of PTAB Trends for Biologics," Law360, June 26, 2023
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"Unpacking the Latest Trends in Biologics-Related IPRs," Law360, June 4, 2021
- "Current Trends In Biologics-Related Inter Partes Reviews," IP Law360, July 20, 2017
- "Retractable Technologies, Inc. v. Becton, Dickinson & Co.: The Federal Circuit's Debate over Claim Construction Methodology and Deference Rages on," NYIPLA Bull., October/November 2011
- "Strategic Approaches to the Doctrine of Claim Differentiation: A Guide for Patentees and Accused Infringers," 12 IP Litig., no.1, January/February 2006
- "Understanding the Federal Circuit’s Internal Debate and Its Decision to Rehear Phillips v. AWH Corp. En Banc," 86 J. Patent & Trademark Office Soc'y 911, 2004
- New York
- Supreme Court of the United States
- US Court of Appeals, Federal Circuit
- US Court of Appeals, Seventh Circuit
- US District Court, Southern District of New York
- US District Court, Eastern District of New York
- US Patent & Trademark Office
- Hon. Alan Lourie, US Court of Appeals, Federal Circuit, 1998-2000
- J.D., University of Michigan Law School, 1998
- Postdoctoral Research, New York University, 1995, Biochemistry
- Ph.D., Vanderbilt University, 1994, Chemistry
- M.S., Vanderbilt University, 1994, Chemistry
- B.S., Vanderbilt University, 1991, cum laude, with Honors in the College of Arts & Science, Chemistry and History
Areas of Work
Speaking Engagements
- Co-moderator, "PTAB: Where Are We Now?" FCBA Annual Bench & Bar Conference, June 19, 2026
- Keynote Speaker, "Challenging Patents in the USPTO: Current Issues and Effective Strategies," Global Biotech & Pharma Patent (China) Summit, June 4, 2026
- Panelist, "The §112 Playbook for Small Molecule IP: Top Takeaways from the Latest Case Law on Written Description, Enablement and the Question of After Arising Technology," ACI 22nd Annual Paragraph IV Disputes, April 21, 2026
- Panelist, "Cross-Border Legal Developments Impacting the Value of US and European Life Sciences Patents," TT Lifesciences 4th Annual Medical Device and Diagnostic Regulatory Affairs Conference, November 14, 2025
- Panelist, "IP That Matters: Behind Orexo's Milestone Patent Win at the US Court," Nordic Life Science Days 2025, October 13, 2025
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Panelist, "Strategies for Managing Litigation Budgets More Effectively," ACI 21st Annual Paragraph IV Disputes, April 29-30, 2025
- Program Co-Chair, "Fundamentals of Patent Litigation," PLI, New York, 2015-2026
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Moderator, "The APJs Speak on Practice, Policy, and Procedure in the World of Pharmaceutical Patent Validity Changes," ACI 19th Annual Paragraph IV Disputes, April 26, 2024
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Moderator, "One Year After Amgen v. Sanofi: Its Impact on Biotech and Pharmaceutical Patents," FCBA Regional Program (Boston), April 5, 2024
- Panelist, "Hedging Your Bets Ahead of Amgen v. Sanofi: Anticipating How the Supreme Court's Enablement Ruling Will Affect Biologic Patent Portfolio Strategies," ACI 14th Summit on Biosimilars & Innovator Biologics, June 27, 2023
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Co-Moderator, "The APJs Speak on Practice, Policy, and Procedure in the World of Pharmaceutical Patent Validity Changes," ACI 18th Annual Paragraph IV Disputes, April 20, 2023
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Moderator, "Challenging Patents on Reference Drugs: Litigation Strategies in the IPR Forum," ACI 13th Summit on Biosimilars & Innovator Biologics, June 28, 2022
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Co-Moderator, "The APJs Speak on Practice, Policy, and Procedure in the World of Pharmaceutical Patent Validity Changes," ACI 17th Annual Paragraph IV Disputes, April 27, 2022
- Co-Moderator, "The PTAB Live! Practice, Policy, and Procedure in the New World of Pharmaceutical Patent Validity Challenges," ACI 16th Annual Paragraph IV Disputes, November 10, 2021
- Moderator, "Current Trends in Written Description and Enablement," FCBA Major Regional Programs, September 22, 2021
- Panelist, "Latest Trends in Biologics IPRs," ACI 12th Summit on Biosimilars & Innovator Biologics, June 22, 2021
- Panelist, "Patents, Prices, and Politics: Legislative, Administrative, and Geopolitical Developments Impacting the Pharmaceutical Industry," ACI 15th Annual Paragraph IV Disputes, April 26, 2021
- Moderator, "Optimizing the Relationship Between In-House and Outside Counsel in Paragraph IV Litigation," ACI 14th Annual Paragraph IV Disputes, October 6, 2020
- Moderator and Presenter, "PTAB Practice, Policy and Procedures," ACI 11th Summit on Biosimilars and Innovator Biologics, September 23, 2020
- Moderator, "The In-House Perspective: Current Topics in Biosimilars Development," ACI 10th Summit on Biosimilars, June 24, 2019
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Moderator, District Judge Panel, "Reviewed Adjudicators," FCBA Annual Bench & Bar Conference, June 14, 2019
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Moderator, In-House Pharma Attorney Panel, "Competency: Overcoming Talent Limitations with Time-Proven Tips," ACI 13th Annual Paragraph IV Disputes Conference, New York, NY, April 29, 2019
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Panelist, "Biosimilars Litigation and Its Impact on Market Access and Commercialization," ExL Events 2nd Biosimilar Market Access and Commercialization Strategies Summit, September 17, 2018
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Panelist, "Update on Hot-Button Litigation Issues and the Impact on the Biologics Market and Strategies: Strategic Takeaways from Rituxan® and Herceptin® Biosimilars Litigation," ACI 9th Summit on Biosimilars, June 25, 2018
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Panelist, "Paragraph IV Litigation Year in Review: Present Developments and Future Forecasts," ACI 12th Annual Paragraph IV Disputes, April 23, 2018
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Speaker, "The Impact of Biosimilars Litigation on the Commercialization of Biosimilars," World Congress' Biosimilars Market Access and Commercialization Summit, February 7, 2018
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Moderator, "PTAB-Practice Pharma," FCBA Annual Bench & Bar Conference, June 24, 2017
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Speaker, "Untangling the Inner Workings of IPRs for Biosimilars,” ACI 8th Annual Summit on Biosimilars, June 12, 2017
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Panelist, “The Ongoing Jurisdiction Debate: From Mylan to TC Heartland,” ACI 11th Annual Paragraph IV Disputes, April 25, 2017. Click here for Bloomberg BNA article.
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Panelist, “Impact of CBMRs and IPRs on Litigation,” FCBA Annual Bench & Bar Conference, June 24, 2016
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Speaker, “Strategic Considerations in Litigating Biologics and Biosimilars Cases,” ACI 7th Summit on Biosimilars, June 14, 2016
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Speaker, “The Strategic Use of IPRs in Biologics and Biosimilars Litigation,” Knowledge Group, May 26, 2016
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Speaker, “AbbVie v. Janssen and Its Impact on Biologics and Biosimilars,” ACI 6th Summit on Biosimilars (New York, June 2, 2015) and ACI US Biosimilars (Munich, April 20, 2015)
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Speaker, “Recent Legal Developments Impacting Biologics and Biosimilars,” Knowledge Group, October 2, 2014
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Speaker, “Association for Molecular Pathology v. Myriad Genetics, Inc. and Its Impact on In-House Counsel Practice,” AIPLA Corporate Practice Committee, August 20, 2013
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Speaker, “Implications of Lovenox® and Abbott’s Citizen Petition on Biosimilars Development,” Knowledge Congress, July 13, 2012
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Speaker, “An Insider’s Guide to the Federal Circuit,” ACI 6th Annual Paragraph IV Disputes, April 24, 2012
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Speaker, “Overview of the Biologics Act and Recent Developments Concerning Its Implementation,” BIOTECanada, November 15, 2011
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Speaker, “The Biologics Act: Impact on Regulatory Success of Follow-On Biologics,” Canaccord Genuity 31st Annual Growth Conference, August 9, 2011
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Moderator, “Industry Perspectives on the Impact of the Federal Circuit's Therasense Decision,” FCBA, June 14, 2011
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Moderator, “Industry Perspectives on the Biologics Act,” FCBA, April 26, 2011
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Moderator, "Overview of the Biologics Price Competition and Innovation Act," FCBA, March 2, 2011
News & Publications
Press Releases
Steptoe Receives 10 Individual, Four Practice Mentions in 2026 IAM Patent 1000
June 5, 2026
Press Releases
Steptoe Advises Orexo on Strategic Divestiture of Zubsolv® US Rights to Dexcel Pharma
January 7, 2026
Press Releases
Steptoe Receives Ten Individual, Four Practice Mentions in 2025 IAM Patent 1000
June 5, 2025
Press Releases
Steptoe Receives Nine Individual, Four Practice Mentions in IAM Patent 1000
June 6, 2024
Noteworthy
- Chambers USA, New York, Intellectual Property: Patent (2022-2026)
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LMG Life Sciences Awards, "Post Grant Proceedings Attorney of the Year," shortlisted (2025)
- LMG Life Sciences, United States, General Patent Litigation (2023)
- LMG Life Sciences, United States, Patent Strategy & Management (2023)
- National Law Journal, "Trailblazer in Healthcare and Life Sciences" (2021)
- Law360, Life Sciences "MVP" (2019)
- IAM Patent 1000, Litigation: New York (2015-2026)
- IAM Patent 1000, US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit: National (2015-2026)
- FCBA Legislation Committee Individual Leadership Award (2011)
- FCBA Legislation Committee Leadership Award (2011)
Professional Affiliations
- Federal Circuit Bar Association
- Bench & Bar Planning Committee
- Co-Chair (July 2016-June 2017; July 2025-present)
- Regional Programs Committee
- Co-Chair (July 2022-June 2025)
- Co-Vice Chair (July 2020-June 2022)
- Rules Committee
- Co-Chair (December 2011-October 2014)
- Legislation Committee
- Co-Chair (October 2008-October 2011)
- Patent Litigation Committee
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- Vice Chair (October 2005-October 2008)
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- Bench & Bar Planning Committee
- New York Intellectual Property Law Association
- New York State Bar Association