Cristin Cowles, Ph.D.

With more than 25 years of experience in the patent field, Cristin advises clients on patent prosecution, lifecycle management, due diligence evaluations, patentability analyses, freedom-to-operate determinations, inventorship investigations, and validity opinions. She has experience advising a range of clients, including large pharmaceutical companies, biotechnology companies, academic institutions, and early-stage life sciences companies.

A significant portion of her practice is focused on molecular biology and biochemistry technologies, including biologics like antibodies and antibody drug conjugates (ADCs), biologic manufacturing processes, protein formulations, Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR-T) and T-Cell Receptor (TCR) immunotherapy technologies, biomarkers, and platform technologies. Cristin also has experience managing international patent portfolios and life cycle strategies for biologic drug products.

Her work has included developing and managing international patent portfolios directed to blockbuster therapeutic antibodies, as well as patent portfolios for clinical-stage antibodies and antibody drug conjugates. In addition, she has substantial patent prosecution experience outside of the U.S. and has assisted with oral proceedings and oppositions before the European, Chinese, and Indian patent offices.

Cristin earned a Ph.D. in Molecular Biology from Princeton University, where she identified a novel maternally expressed T-box gene, eomesodermin, in zebrafish. Her research was presented at scientific meetings and published in developmental biology journals.

Practice Areas

Representative Matters

• Developed international patent portfolio for a blockbuster human antibody*
• Management of patent portfolios for clinical phase antibodies and antibody drug conjugates*
• IP due diligence support for pharmaceutical company in the acquisition of an immunotherapy company relating to T cell receptor technology*
• Extensive experience developing innovator patent portfolios for biologics, including antibodies*

*matter handled prior to joining Honigman LLP

Education

Admissions

Court Admissions

Awards

• Chambers USA, (Intellectual Property, Massachusetts), 2021-2026
• The Best Lawyers in America, Patent Law, 2026-2027
• Legal 500 Boston Elite, Intellectual Property, 2026-2027
• IAM Patent 1000: The World's Leading Patent Practitioners, 2022
• Super Lawyers, Rising Stars (Intellectual Property, Massachusetts) 2011-2012; 2015-2016

Professional & Community Involvement

Boston Patent Law Association

Press Releases

Publications

• Presentation titled “Patentability Criteria for Biotechnology Drugs”, Centro de Estudios Superiores en Materia de Derecho Fiscal y Administrativo, Mexico City, October 22, 2015
• “Supreme Court Wrestles with the Patentability of Genes”, AAPS blog, May 9, 2013