Chris Pinahs practices intellectual property law, with an emphasis on pharmaceutical and medical device patent litigation. Applying his background in the biological sciences, Chris also has extensive experience advising life sciences clients in freedom-to-operate analyses, pre-acquisition diligence, and pre-marketing evaluations. In all arenas, Chris uses his technical background to help clients develop and implement an appropriate strategy to achieve their business goals.

Chris represented Collegium Pharmaceutical, Inc. at the Patent Trial and Appeal Board in a Post-Grant Review challenging Purdue’s U.S. Patent No. 9,693,961. Collegium prevailed in demonstrating that a transitional patent—with an alleged pre-AIA effective filing date that would not qualify for review—was nevertheless eligible for PGR and that all claims were invalid for lack of written description support and anticipation. To Collegium’s knowledge, this is the first decision issued outside of the eighteen-month window for the PTAB to issue a final written decision. The Board acknowledged the “unusual circumstances” presented by the PGR, but rejected Purdue’s request to terminate the proceeding and issued a decision invalidating the challenged claims of the ʼ961 patent. 

Chris also continues to represent Collegium Pharmaceutical, Inc. in ongoing district-court litigation against Purdue Pharma L.P. in conjunction with Collegium’s pain management drug Xtampza ER®. To date, Collegium has successfully invalidated or been found not to infringe six of Purdue’s patents. In conjunction with this matter, Chris argued a motion to dismiss Hatch-Waxman patent litigation concerning the filing of a Supplemental NDA and obtained full dismissal of the lawsuit on grounds of impermissible claim splitting.

Chris has significant trial experience, including the representation of a generic manufacturer in its challenge of several patents directed to Purdue’s multibillion-dollar OxyContin® product. Chris was also part of the team that upheld this verdict on appeal at the Federal Circuit. Chris was also a member of a trial team that prevailed on several patents directed to the Alzheimer’s drug, Namenda XR®. Chris also handles trademark matters, successfully defeating a motion for preliminary injunction in the District of Minnesota.

Chris is also active in the legal community, including pro bono representation through the Pro Se Project. He previously served as the chair of the Intellectual Property Practice Group for the Minnesota Federal Bar Association (2015-2016), and served as a member of the Grants Committee for the Minnesota Federal Bar Association.  

Prior to working as an IP attorney, Chris was a law clerk to the Honorable David S. Doty in the United States District Court for the District of Minnesota. During law school, Chris was a legal writing instructor, a Managing Editor for the Minnesota Law Review, and studied to obtain his master’s degree in Plant Biological Sciences.

Admissions

  • Colorado (Inactive)
  • Minnesota
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Eighth Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Federal Circuit
  • U.S. District Court, District of Minnesota
  • U.S. Patent and Trademark Office

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