Uale Taotafa

Uale Taotafa

Senior Counsel

Patents and Innovations

Represents Life Science Innovators

Uale has worked with innovators engaged in highly technical fields, including small molecule therapeutics, protein immunotherapies, oncolytic immunotherapies, antibiotics, and biocatalysts.
Extensive Experience Representing Companies and Investors in Financings and M&A

Uale supported Synthorx and Pharmacyclics in each of their $2+ billion acquisitions by a major pharmaceutical company and Synthorx, Tracon, and Optimer on IP matters related to their IPOs. He has supported more than 50 clients undergoing IP diligence for venture rounds of investment. Uale also has represented various venture and investment funds in IP diligence matters.
Varied Intellectual Property Practice

Uale’s practice includes freedom-to-operate and due-diligence studies, opinion work, IP acquisition strategy, and assisting with patent preparation and prosecution. He has been instrumental in the design and IP strategy of Imbruvica, an FDA-approved drug.
Informed Technical Experience

Uale has a Ph.D. in organic chemistry, which helps him understand the complex technical language in the biotechnology, pharmaceutical, and materials fields.

Uale Taotafa is senior counsel at Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati. He practices in the area of intellectual property law, including patent preparation, patent prosecution, and counseling clients on intellectual property and related business matters. Uale represents clients in the pharmaceutical, materials, and biotechnology industries. He has analyzed intellectual property portfolios and performed IP due diligence for both venture capital firms and businesses in a variety of investment environments, including mergers and acquisitions. Uale also assists clients with trademark matters in the U.S. and abroad, including the prosecution of trademark applications.

Uale is practicing virtually in Arizona. He is admitted in California. He is not admitted in Arizona and therefore not authorized to practice law in Arizona.

Experience

Uale is practicing virtually in Arizona. He is admitted in California. He is not admitted in Arizona and therefore not authorized to practice law in Arizona.

Education

J.D., University of New Hampshire Franklin Pierce School of Law, 2006Managing Editor, IDEA: The Intellectual Property Law Review; Merck Fellow, 2003-06
Ph.D., Organic Chemistry, Brigham Young University, 2003
B.S., Chemistry, Brigham Young University-Hawaii, 1998

Associations and Memberships

Member, American Bar Association
Member, San Diego Intellectual Property Law Association

Admissions

State Bar of California
Not admitted in Arizona

Credentials

Education

J.D., University of New Hampshire Franklin Pierce School of Law, 2006Managing Editor, IDEA: The Intellectual Property Law Review; Merck Fellow, 2003-06
Ph.D., Organic Chemistry, Brigham Young University, 2003
B.S., Chemistry, Brigham Young University-Hawaii, 1998

Associations and Memberships

Member, American Bar Association
Member, San Diego Intellectual Property Law Association

Admissions

State Bar of California
Not admitted in Arizona

Select Publications

Co-author, "Synthesis and Characterization of Peptide-cationic Steroid Antibiotic Conjugates," 6 Organic Letters 3433-36, 2004
Co-author, "Antibacterial Properties of Cationic Steroid Antibiotics," 217 FEMS Microbiology Letters 1-7, 2002
Co-author, "Anionic Facial Amphiphiles from Cholic Acid," 2 Organic Letters 4117-20, 2002

Insights

Select Publications

Co-author, "Synthesis and Characterization of Peptide-cationic Steroid Antibiotic Conjugates," 6 Organic Letters 3433-36, 2004
Co-author, "Antibacterial Properties of Cationic Steroid Antibiotics," 217 FEMS Microbiology Letters 1-7, 2002
Co-author, "Anionic Facial Amphiphiles from Cholic Acid," 2 Organic Letters 4117-20, 2002

Recent Insights

Client Highlights

On October 8, 2024, Crinetics Pharmaceuticals, a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development, and commercialization of novel therapeutics for rare endocrine diseases and endocrine-related tumors, announced the pricing of an upsized underwritten public offering of 10 million shares of its common stock at a price to the public of $50.00 per share. The gross proceeds to Crinetics from the offering, before deducting the underwriting discounts and commissions and other offering expenses, are expected to be $500 million. In addition, Crinetics has granted the underwriters a 30-day option to purchase up to an additional 1.5 million shares of common stock. Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati is advising Crinetics on patent matters related to the transaction.

Learn More

Client Highlights

On September 16, 2024, MBX Biosciences, Inc., a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery and development of novel precision peptide therapies for the treatment of endocrine and metabolic disorders, announced the closing of its upsized initial public offering. The aggregate gross proceeds from the offering were approximately $187.7 million, before deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and offering expenses. Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati advised MBX Biosciences on patent matters related to the upsized IPO.

Learn More

View All

Recent Events

WSGR Events

A strong patent portfolio starts with thoughtfully-crafted patent strategies. Crafting a patent strategy begins with matching patent filing timelines to business timelines (including IND filings, marketing approval, expected market exclusivities, and fundraising). It also includes detailed planning for global patent protection in light of market opportunities and patent expiration dates. Finally, your patent strategy must also look at how to maximize patent term, for example through strategic use of accelerated filings.

Learn More