Ropes & Gray appoints chair of life sciences IP group

Global law firm Ropes & Gray has welcomed Filko Prugo to its New York office as partner and chair of the life sciences IP practice.

Prugo has a background in chemistry and biotechnology, and has 20 years’ experience working with biopharmaceutical companies, including Novartis, Sanofi, and AstraZeneca. He has led more than 20 litigation trial teams in his career and has experience in inter partes review (IPR) and Patent and Trial Appeal Board (PTAB) proceedings.

In particular, Prugo argued the first IPR proceedings relating to marketed biologics on behalf of Sanofi.

As a litigator Prugo is known for his understanding and ability to advise on the Hatch-Waxman Act and the Biologics Price Competition and Innovation Act (BPCIA). He joins from O’Melveny & Myers, where he was responsible for co-founding the firm’s Hatch-Waxman and BPCIA practice group.

Prugo said: “When the opportunity to join Ropes & Gray in a leadership position presented itself, it seemed like a natural next step. My extensive chemistry and biotech patent litigation experience nicely complements the firm’s strong focus on the life sciences industry.”

Andrew Thomases, head of the firm’s IP litigation practice, said he is excited to welcome Prugo to the firm.

Prugo’s “litigation experience, winning litigation record and deep understanding of both chemistry and biotechnology will benefit our life sciences clients immediately”, he added.

The announcement follows Ropes & Gray’s addition of Scott McKeown in August 2017 as a partner in the firm’s Washington, DC office and as chair of the firm’s PTAB practice.

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