Robert Furlani
About Robert Furlani
Robert Furlani serves as the Assistant General Counsel and Chief Patent Counsel at Ligand Pharmaceuticals, a position he has held since 2023. He has a strong background in intellectual property law, with previous roles at Cooley LLP and Sound Agriculture, and holds a Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry and Medicinal Chemistry.
Current Role at Ligand Pharmaceuticals
Robert Furlani serves as the Assistant General Counsel and Chief Patent Counsel at Ligand Pharmaceuticals. He has held this position since 2023, contributing to the company's legal and intellectual property strategies. His role involves overseeing patent-related matters and providing legal guidance on various aspects of pharmaceutical development.
Previous Experience at Cooley LLP
Prior to his current role, Robert Furlani worked at Cooley LLP in multiple capacities. He served as an Associate from 2020 to 2021, where he focused on intellectual property law. Earlier, he was a Patent Agent and a Patent Technical Advisor at the same firm, gaining significant experience in patent law and technical advisory roles.
Intellectual Property Leadership at Sound Agriculture
Robert Furlani held the position of Director of Intellectual Property at Sound Agriculture from 2021 to 2023. In this role, he was responsible for managing the company's intellectual property portfolio and developing strategies to protect innovations in agricultural technology.
Educational Background and Qualifications
Robert Furlani earned his Juris Doctor (J.D.) from American University Washington College of Law, completing his studies from 2016 to 2019. He also holds a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Organic Chemistry and Medicinal Chemistry from North Carolina State University, where he conducted research on synthetic routes toward nitrogen-based heterocycles. Additionally, he obtained a Bachelor's Degree in Chemistry from the University at Buffalo.
Technical Expertise and Research
Robert Furlani has a strong technical background in nanotechnology, infectious diseases, and bacterial resistance mechanisms. He has extensive experience in preparing legal opinions related to patent law, including invalidity, non-infringement, patentability, and freedom-to-operate assessments. His academic research has contributed to his expertise in the biological examination of chemical compounds.