Charles C. Achkar, Ph.D.

Dr. Achkar has extensive experience representing clients before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and advises on all aspects of patent procurement, including drafting and prosecution. His work includes preparing legal opinions, developing lifecycle strategies for pharmaceuticals and biologics (including Hatch-Waxman strategies), and providing strategic IP counsel in connection with corporate transactions. These include IP due diligence, freedom-to-operate assessments, licensing, acquisitions, collaborations, investments, competitive landscape analyses, and patent litigation support in the life sciences sector.

He has advised a broad range of clients—including biotechnology, imaging, pharmaceutical, and chemical companies, as well as academic and research institutions—on building and leveraging IP portfolios to protect commercially valuable innovations. Dr. Achkar has led the development of high-value patent portfolios covering biologics, small molecule drugs, gene therapy, diagnostics, vaccines, therapeutic methods, pharmaceutical compounds, and formulations.

Dr. Achkar is particularly experienced in conducting patentability assessments, freedom-to-operate and validity analyses, and providing infringement and non-infringement opinions. He regularly works with clients ranging from early-stage biotech ventures to established pharmaceutical companies and academic institutions.

His legal practice is informed by a strong scientific background. Dr. Achkar completed a Postdoctoral Fellowship in the Department of Pharmacology at Cornell University Medical College (1991–1995), where he was twice awarded grants by the Cancer Research Foundation of America. He is the author of several peer-reviewed scientific publications in fields including molecular biology, biochemistry, pharmacology, enzymology, nuclear receptors, and analytical biochemistry.