IP Beyond AI | Patent Law for Investors & Inventors
Intellectual Property Law

Patent strategy
for a borderless
world

We help European startups and US investors navigate the full complexity of American IP law — from patent prosecution to portfolio analysis — with the precision of scientists and the authority of seasoned attorneys.

USPTO and European Patent Office buildings

"Know the strength
of your portfolio"
For European startups entering the US market and US investors financing them

2
PhD & JD Partners
30+
Years Combined
USPTO
Registered
Patent Prosecution
Freedom-to-Operate Analysis
Investor Readiness Reviews
EP to US Transition
IP Contract Drafting
Portfolio Analysis

The EP-to-US
gap is real

"European patent filings and US patent law operate under fundamentally different rules — and the cost of misunderstanding that difference can extend to an entire portfolio."

USPTO practices, CAFC rulings, and SCOTUS interpretations on novelty, utility, obviousness, and written description create invisible pitfalls for European filers. We bridge that gap with fluency in both systems and deep technical expertise in chemistry, biotech, diagnostics, and medical devices.

Two critical
audiences

  • European startups in Chem, Biotech, Diagnostics & Medical Devices entering the US market
  • US investors evaluating the IP strength of European companies before committing capital
  • Inventors needing expert review of AI-generated patent applications before USPTO filing
  • Companies requiring FTO analysis, infringement opinions, and patentability assessments
  • Businesses negotiating IP contracts: licensing, collaborations, and joint ventures

Full-spectrum
IP services

From initial patent drafting to complex portfolio strategy, we provide the full scope of IP legal services your organization needs — delivered by attorneys who are also scientists, at rates that make sense for growing companies.

1
Patent Prosecution
Drafting, filing, and prosecution of patent applications before the USPTO. Experienced in chemistry, materials science, biotech, diagnostics, and life sciences.
2
Freedom-to-Operate Analysis
Comprehensive FTO analysis to determine whether a product or process infringes existing valid patents. Essential for product launch and investment decisions.
3
Investor Readiness Review
Assess the strength and breadth of a patent portfolio ahead of investment. We analyze claim scope, file histories, and freedom to operate to provide a clear picture of IP value.
4
Patentability & Infringement Opinions
Opinions on patentability of inventions and analysis of potential infringement risks — critical for product strategy, licensing, and litigation planning.
5
EP to US Transition Counsel
Expert guidance on transitioning European patent applications and portfolios into US filings, including key legal differences in claim drafting and prosecution strategy.
6
IP Contracts & Licensing
Drafting and negotiating IP agreements including licensing, collaborations, joint ventures, and technology transfer agreements for US and international clients.

Your IP is only as strong as
the experts behind it.

W. John Keyes
W. John Keyes
Partner — Ph.D. | J.D.

Attorney with 20+ years of experience across all aspects of patent law, including FTO opinions, patent prosecution, ANDA litigation, and IPR proceedings. Deep technical expertise in organic chemistry, materials science, life sciences, and AI-enabled molecular design. Former in-house counsel at Vir Biotechnology, Vizgen, Conagen, and Nuclera/E Ink.

Chemistry Biotech Life Sciences PTAB ANDA
Education: Ph.D. Organic Chemistry, University of Chicago • J.D., UIC School of Law • M.S., University of Rome La Sapienza
Bar: Massachusetts • Illinois • USPTO Registered
Eva Helmerhorst
Eva Helmerhorst
Partner — Ph.D. | J.D.

IP attorney and scientist with 20+ years of combined academic and legal experience. Former Associate Professor and NIH-funded principal investigator at Boston University, with over 75 peer-reviewed publications and four issued patents as inventor. In private practice, she has prosecuted patents across diagnostics, medical devices, antibody technologies, and nanoparticle formulations, most recently as in-house patent attorney at Invaio Sciences (a Flagship Pioneering company).

Biochemistry Diagnostics Medical Devices Antibody Tech Nanoparticles
Education: Ph.D. Biochemistry Cum Laude, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam • J.D., Suffolk University, Boston • M.S. Medical Biology, Vrije Universiteit • B.S. Chemistry & Analytical Chemistry, HvA Amsterdam
Bar: District of Columbia • USPTO Registered

AI writes.
Attorneys protect.

AI tools can generate patent application drafts at speed. But speed without scrutiny is risk. AI-generated claims may lack the precision, enablement, or written description requirements demanded by the USPTO — and a patent that fails examination is no protection at all.

We review, refine, and stand behind every application we file — regardless of how the first draft was created.

"The misconception is that human IP review is unnecessary for documents generated with AI. It's the opposite."

AI drafts require expert analysis of claim scope, enablement, and written description before filing. Our scientific backgrounds allow us to assess not just the legal language but the underlying science — something no AI tool can fully do on its own.

Let us assess
your portfolio.

Whether you are a European startup preparing for US market entry, or a US investor evaluating IP before committing capital, we are available for a direct, substantive conversation about your patent position.

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