Seth D. Levy
Biotechnology and Life Sciences Practice
Biotechnology and Life Sciences Practice
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Seth focuses his practice on intellectual property protection, licensing, strategy and disputes, particularly in life sciences and health care. He also handles a range of technology and clinical research transactions, and advises technology transfer programs at academic and health care institutions. Seth served as managing partner of the firm’s Los Angeles office from 2013–2017, and is co-chair of the firm’s Life Sciences practice.What do you focus on?My practice encompasses two main areas, leveraging my background in biological engineering and experience in business transactions.Technology TransferI support tech transfer programs at universities, research institutes and academic medical centers. My experience includes patent procurement and portfolio management, coordinating complex research arrangements, negotiating commercial transactions involving IP, resolving related disputes and coordinating IP enforcement activities. I also advise on the development and expansion of tech transfer programs; the operation of incubators, accelerators and venture funds; and the revision of institutional IP policies to reflect contemporary tech transfer issues. I am intimately familiar with tech transfer operations and the unique environment in which these programs exist.IP and Research TransactionsI represent academic and health care institutions in technology and research-driven transactions. I also work with companies in the private sector that do business with such institutions. My work in this area includes drafting and negotiating license agreements, research and development agreements, clinical trial agreements, consulting agreements and a range of other agreements to effectuate deals in the arenas of research, health care and intellectual property. Seth focuses his practice on intellectual property protection, licensing, strategy and disputes, particularly in life sciences and health care. He also handles a range of technology and clinical research transactions, and advises technology transfer programs at academic and health care institutions. Seth served as managing partner of the firm’s Los Angeles office from 2013–2017, and is co-chair of the firm’s Life Sciences practice.What do you focus on?My practice encompasses two main areas, leveraging my background in biological engineering and experience in business transactions.Technology TransferI support tech transfer programs at universities, research institutes and academic medical centers. My experience includes patent procurement and portfolio management, coordinating complex research arrangements, negotiating commercial transactions involving IP, resolving related disputes and coordinating IP enforcement activities. I also advise on the development and expansion of tech transfer programs; the operation of incubators, accelerators and venture funds; and the revision of institutional IP policies to reflect contemporary tech transfer issues. I am intimately familiar with tech transfer operations and the unique environment in which these programs exist.IP and Research TransactionsI represent academic and health care institutions in technology and research-driven transactions. I also work with companies in the private sector that do business with such institutions. My work in this area includes drafting and negotiating license agreements, research and development agreements, clinical trial agreements, consulting agreements and a range of other agreements to effectuate deals in the arenas of research, health care and intellectual property. Seth focuses his practice on intellectual property protection, licensing, strategy and disputes, particularly in life sciences and health care. He also handles a range of technology and clinical research transactions, and advises technology transfer programs at academic and health care institutions. Seth served as managing partner of the firm’s Los Angeles office from 2013–2017, and is co-chair of the firm’s Life Sciences practice. What do you focus on? My practice encompasses two main areas, leveraging my background in biological engineering and experience in business transactions. Technology Transfer I support tech transfer programs at universities, research institutes and academic medical centers. My experience includes patent procurement and portfolio management, coordinating complex research arrangements, negotiating commercial transactions involving IP, resolving related disputes and coordinating IP enforcement activities. I also advise on the development and expansion of tech transfer programs; the operation of incubators, accelerators and venture funds; and the revision of institutional IP policies to reflect contemporary tech transfer issues. I am intimately familiar with tech transfer operations and the unique environment in which these programs exist. IP and Research Transactions I represent academic and health care institutions in technology and research-driven transactions. I also work with companies in the private sector that do business with such institutions. My work in this area includes drafting and negotiating license agreements, research and development agreements, clinical trial agreements, consulting agreements and a range of other agreements to effectuate deals in the arenas of research, health care and intellectual property.
Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2020
Jessica Reyes
We engaged Seth Levy at Nixon Peabody to handle the IP licensing strategy for our early-stage diagnostic tool. His deep background in life sciences, evidenced by his recognition in that practice area, was immediately apparent. He has a clear command of the complex intersection of biotechnology and intellectual property law, which was reassuring. The initial strategy document he drafted was thorough and leveraged his 20+ years of experience. However, our experience was mixed on the execution side. While the substantive work was competent, we often experienced significant delays in receiving responses to our emails, which created anxiety during time-sensitive negotiations. His explanations, when we did connect, were sometimes overly technical for our non-legal team, requiring us to ask for repeated clarifications. For the premium rate, we expected more proactive communication and a smoother client interface. He is undoubtedly a knowledgeable attorney in the life sciences IP space, but the overall service felt transactional rather than partnership-oriented. He successfully navigated the core licensing agreement, but the process could have been managed with greater client-centric efficiency.