Christopher J. Cassella

Christopher J. Cassella is an associate in Goodwin’s Intellectual Property Litigation practice. Chris litigates patents concerning a broad range of technologies, from pharmaceuticals and biotechnology to consumer products, in a variety of forums, including federal district courts, the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, and the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC).

In federal district courts, Chris represents clients from the life science industry in high-stakes patent litigations arising under the Hatch-Waxman Amendments to the Patent Act and the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act as well as the Biologics Price Competition and Innovation Act (BPCIA). At the PTAB and the ITC, Chris represents clients in inter partes review proceedings and in unfair import investigations, respectively.

Chris’s experience includes litigating patents across technologies in diverse forums.

His representative matters include:

• Represented manufacturer of nasal irrigation devices in patent litigation in the ITC
• Represented manufacturer of disposable vaporizer devices in patent litigation in the ITC
• Represented biosimilar drug manufacturer in BPCIA litigation concerning proposed biosimilar to Eylea® (aflibercept) filed in New Jersey and in a related multi-district litigation, involving more than 40 asserted patents concerning pharmaceutical formulations, dosing regimen, biologic manufacturing methods, devices, etc.
• Represented generic drug manufacturer in Hatch-Waxman litigation concerning ophthalmic solution of an alpha-2 adrenergic agonist for use in relieving redness of the eye; represented same client in related inter partes review proceedings before the PTAB
• Represented generic drug manufacturer in Hatch-Waxman litigation concerning oral formulations of a tyrosine kinase inhibitor indicated for the treatment of adults with ALK-positive metastatic non-small cell lung cancer
• Represented generic drug manufacturer in Hatch-Waxman litigation concerning oral formulations of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator potentiator indicated for the treatment of cystic fibrosis*
• Represented generic drug manufacturer in Hatch-Waxman litigation concerning oral formulations of an atypical antipsychotic indicated for the treatment of hallucinations and delusions associated with Parkinson's disease psychosis*
• Represented 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*
• Represented 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*
• Represented generic drug manufacturer in Hatch-Waxman litigation concerning oral formulations of an antidepressant indicated for the treatment of major depressive disorder*
• Represented generic drug manufacturer in Hatch-Waxman litigation concerning oral formulations of endothelin receptor antagonist indicated for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension*
• Represented 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*

Prior to joining Goodwin, Christopher was an Associate in the IP Pharmaceutical & Biotechnology practice group at Locke Lord LLP.

Chris maintains an active pro bono practice, including collaborating with Kids in Need of Defense (KIND) to represent unaccompanied minors in family court and in petitions to USCIS and with Homeless Advocacy Project (HAP) to represent individuals who are homeless or at risk of homelessness to obtain vital records.

• American Intellectual Property Law Association
• Chicago Bar Association
• Chicago Volunteer Legal Services, Junior Board Member (April 2020 – Present)
• St. Procopius Legal Aid Clinic, Chair (July 2019 – February 2022)

• Top ANDA Litigator, ANDA Litigation Intelligence Report (2021)
• Distinguished Service Award, Chicago Volunteer Legal Services (2019)