Z. Ying Li, Ph.D.

Ying Li counsels biotechnology and pharmaceutical clients on patent portfolio management and strategic development. She has extensive experience in patent prosecution worldwide. Ying helps clients survey competitive patent landscapes and renders opinions of counsel on freedom to operate, non-infringement, and patent invalidity. She also conducts IP due diligence for venture capital investment and corporate business development. 

Ying has worked on a range of therapeutic areas including cancer, autoimmunity, metabolic disorders, and cardiovascular diseases, with expertise in antibody and RNA-based therapeutics, gene therapy, cell therapy, vaccines, small molecules, and molecular diagnostics.   

Ying also has extensive experience in contentious matters before US and foreign patent offices, and has represented clients in matters related to transgenic animals and immune molecules. She successfully argued for an interference appellee before the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit in a case of first impression related to conception of recombinant DNA. 

IAM notes Ying is "upholding the firm's good name in New York" and that she "is a favourite for pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies looking to assess the competitor landscape and enhance their patent portfolios." Also, IAM adds she “has consistently offered unparalleled strategic advice, delivered thorough legal analysis in a timely manner, and gone above and beyond to support her clientele. Her skills have been instrumental in achieving business success – from strategic planning and development of several patent assets to building robust international portfolios. She is highly responsive and maintains excellent communication with customers, providing clear explanations of complex legal concepts and invention analysis.”

During her doctoral research, Ying discovered a novel gene involved in DNA double-stranded break repair and antibody V(D)J gene rearrangement.