Locke Lord

Chris Cassella is an associate in the Chicago office of Locke Lord LLP where he is a member of the Firm’s IP Pharmaceutical & Biotechnology and IP Litigation groups. He concentrates his practice primarily on complex pharmaceutical patent litigation matters arising under the Hatch-Waxman Amendments to the Patent Act and the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act. His experience ranges from pre-litigation activities, including Paragraph IV Certifications, through initial filings, fact and expert discovery, claim construction, motion practice, and pre-trial phases.

While in law school, in addition to five CALI Excellence for the Future Awards (given to the highest scoring student in each law school class), Chris earned Brief Writing Honors in the Sherman Minton Moot Court Competition. He also served on the Executive Board of his law school’s Intellectual Property Association and was a Senior Editor of the law school’s IP Theory journal. He has an advanced degree in biology as well as an undergraduate degree in biochemistry.

Chris is registered to practice in patent matters before the United States Patent and Trademark Office.

Representative Experience

• Representing generic drug manufacturer in Hatch-Waxman litigation concerning oral formulations of a dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor indicated as an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus
• Representing generic drug manufacturer in Hatch-Waxman litigation concerning oral formulations of a sodium-glucose cotransporter inhibitor indicated as an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus
• Representing generic drug manufacturer in Hatch-Waxman litigation concerning oral formulations of an antidepressant indicated for the treatment of major depressive disorder
• Representing generic drug manufacturer in Hatch-Waxman litigation concerning oral formulations of endothelin receptor antagonist indicated for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension
• Representing generic drug manufacturer in Hatch-Waxman litigation concerning oral formulations of a combination of an aromatic amino acid decarboxylation inhibitor and an aromatic amino acid indicated for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease
• Represented generic drug manufacturer in Hatch-Waxman litigation concerning oral formulations of atypical antipsychotic indicated for the treatment of schizophrenia and depressive episodes associated with Bipolar I Disorder

Professional History

• Associate, Locke Lord LLP, Chicago, IL (2017)
• Summer Associate, Tilleke & Gibbins International Ltd., Bangkok, Thailand (2015)

Professional Affiliations and Recognitions

• American Intellectual Property Law Association
• Chicago Bar Association
• Registered Patent Agent

Community Leadership

• St. Procopius Legal Aid Clinic
  • Chair (July 2019 – present)
• Chicago Volunteer Legal Services
  • Distinguished Service Award (2019)