About Christopher W. West

Chris West focuses his Intellectual Property practice on all services relating to patents including portfolio analysis, patentability and infringement opinions. He has also prepared and prosecuted patent applications before the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). His clients are small to large multinational companies in both the private and public sectors and include institutions such as universities.

Understanding the pitfalls of patents is as helpful as knowing the law

Chris's background in medicinal chemistry provides a deep understanding of the challenges associated with producing and patenting pharmaceuticals. In addition to working in the industry, he also has several years of experience with litigation, opinion writing and FTP evaluation. Chris has carefully considered the issues involved with patents including how to make them strong enough to stand up to challenges after issuance. Consequently, he not only helps clients get patents but advises them on how to do so in ways that will stand up to any subsequent validity disputes.

Before joining Katten, Chris spent 15 years working in the pharmaceutical industry as a medicinal chemist. Chris had made significant contributions to oncology, immunology, cardiovascular, epilepsy and pain-focused projects while working on a variety of molecular targets.

Chris has been published numerous times in scientific journals and is a named co-inventor on several pharmaceutical patents and patent applications.

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Practice Focus

  • Patent prosecution and evaluation
  • Intellectual property litigation
  • Pharmaceutical and life science

News

Practices
Industries
Education
  • North Carolina Central University, JD, cum laude
  • University of Wisconsin-Madison, PhD, Organic Chemistry
  • University of Wisconsin-Madison, BS, Chemistry
Bar Admissions
  • North Carolina
Recognitions
Recognized or listed in the following:
  • ANDA Litigation Intelligence Report
    Best Performing ANDA Attorneys Representing Defendants, 2023; Top 100, 2024
    Most Active ANDA Attorneys Representing Defendants, 2023; Top 50 2024
    Best Performing ANDA Attorneys Overall (Representing Plaintiffs or Defendants), 2024
    Most Active ANDA Attorneys Overall (Representing Plaintiffs and Defendants), Top 100, 2024
  • Best Lawyers in America
    Ones to Watch
    Intellectual Property Law, 2021–2025
    Litigation - Intellectual Property | Litigation - Patent | Patent Law, 2021–2025
Award Methodologies