Alan E. Dow, Ph.D.

Dr. Dow is a patent attorney registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (since 1991) and admitted to the practice of law in California and Oregon.  His practice involves all aspects of intellectual property law, including patent prosecution, strategic counseling, and post-issuance proceedings in the U.S. and internationally, particularly in such areas of biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, genomics, plant science and agriculture, and chemistry.  Dr. Dow also has prepared numerous patentability, non-infringement, validity, and freedom-to-operate opinions and has performed due diligence in support of the sale or acquisition of technology.

Dr. Dow also advises clients with respect to business transactions, including licensing, collaborative and sponsored research, joint ventures, clinical trial agreements, etc.  He has represented companies throughout the U.S. and abroad in both intellectual property and business transactions.

In addition, Dr. Dow has significant experience in the area of plant variety protection, including utility patents, plant variety protection certificates, plant patents, and related forms of protection in the U.S. and foreign countries. He has been invited to speak on this topic by various national and regional organizations, including the National Association of Plant Patent Owners.

Prior to joining the Biotechnology Law Group in 2005, Dr. Dow served as Vice President and General Counsel for Vical Incorporated.  At Vical, Dr. Dow was responsible for establishing and managing the company’s intellectual property, negotiated, drafted and reviewed contracts, supported clinical trials through drafting and negotiating clinical trial agreements, and managed the company’s litigation, among other duties.    Previously, he practiced patent and transactional law as an attorney for Pillsbury Winthrop, LLP, in San Diego, CA, with Monsanto Company in St. Louis, MO, and with Klarquist, Sparkman, Campbell, Leigh and Whinston in Portland, OR.

Dr. Dow obtained his Ph.D. in genetics from Harvard and his law degree from Stanford University.

Dr. Dow can be reached directly at 858.720.9491 (direct dial) or by e-mail at: alan@biotechnologylawgroup.com.