Locke Lord

Nina Vachhani is an associate in the Chicago office of Locke Lord LLP where she is a member of the Firm’s IP Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology and IP Litigation groups. Nina concentrates her practice on complex patent infringement and other intellectual property litigation matters with a primary emphasis on disputes involving the Hatch-Waxman provisions of the Patent Act and the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act. Her experience ranges from the pre-litigation stage, including Paragraph IV Certifications, through initial filings, fact and expert discovery, claim construction, pre-trial, trial, and post-trial phases, as well as appeal.

In addition to her Hatch-Waxman practice, Nina also has experience in the seed and agricultural biotechnology industries representing seed producers, seed dealers and distributors, and seedsmen's errors and omissions insurers with regulatory, liability, and transactional matters.

During her undergraduate studies, Nina was a research assistant, where she investigated and co-authored published abstracts on the emotional-somatomotor neural circuits involved in the expression of the physical symptoms of Major Depressive Disorder.

Representative Experience

Hatch-Waxman litigation

• Representing generic drug manufacturers involving nineteen patents concerning oral formulations for the treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (Esbriet^®).
• Representing generic drug manufacturers involving nine patents concerning topical solutions for the treatment of onychomycosis (Jublia^®).
• Representing generic drug manufacturers involving six patents concerning oral formulations for the treatment of  partial-onset seizures epilepsy (Aptiom^®).
• Representing generic drug manufacturers involving two patents concerning oral formulations for the treatment of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE) (Eliquis^®).
• Represented generic drug manufacturer involving two patents concerning oral formulations for the treatment of multiple sclerosis (Aubagio^®).
• Represented generic drug manufacturer involving three patents concerning transdermal solutions and medical applicators used to treat hypogonadism (Axiron^®).
• Represented generic drug manufacturer involving sixteen patents concerning oral formulations used to treat hypertriglyceridemia (Vascepa^®).
• Represented generic drug manufacturer involving a patent concerning oral formulations used to treat hyperlipidemia (Livalo^®).
• Represented generic drug manufacturer involving three patents concerning oral formulations of opioids used to treat pain (Opana^® ER).
• Represented generic drug manufacturer involving two additional patents concerning oral formulations of opioids used to treat pain (Opana^® ER).
• Represented generic drug manufacturer involving a patent concerning injectable IV infusions used to treat infections (Tygacil^®).
• Represented generic drug manufacturer involving two patents concerning oral formulations used to treat depression (Pristiq^®).

Patent Litigation

• Representing generic drug manufacturers involving two patents concerning topical sprays for the treatment of (Topicort^®). Defended against a motion for a temporary restraining order.

Professional Affiliations and Recognitions

• Advanced and recognized for top-level copyright brief in 2013 Cardozo/BMI Entertainment and Communications Law Moot Court Competition
• Named a Rising Star by Illinois Super Lawyers (2020)

Publications

• Clinton SM, Kerman IA, Burghardt PR, Abraham AD, Bedrosian TA, Orr H, Vachhani N, Muzamhindo N, Shabrang C, Beals J, Watson SJ, and Akil H. “Are Emotional-Somatomotor Circuits Modifiable by Exposure to Increased Environmental Complexity?” Washington, DC: Society for Neuroscience, 2008; 38: 283.16.
• Kerman IA, Clinton SM, Burghardt PR, Muzamhindo H, Vachhani N, Shabrang C, Beals J, Akil H, Watson SJ. “Altered wiring of emotional-somatomotor, but not limbic-autonomic, circuits in rat models of depression.” Washington, DC: Society for Neuroscience, 2008; 38: 283.19.