HOUSTON—Womble Bond Dickinson continues to build its Houston office with the addition of intellectual property attorney Karthika Perumal, Ph.D. as a partner.
Dr. Perumal works with clients in the healthcare and energy sectors to protect, defend, and monetize their innovations and to develop strategic intellectual property portfolios to meet their business goals at all stages of the product lifecycle. She has specific experience with life sciences, biomedical devices, chemicals, oil and gas processing, and various software technologies.
Her IP transactions practice includes:
- Technology licensing and other commercialization agreements,
- Multiparty collaboration and joint venture agreements,
- Product manufacturing, supply, and distribution agreements, and
- Software development/support and service agreements, among others.
In addition to her significant technology transfer practice, Dr. Perumal also has experience in the prosecution of patents and trademarks for large corporate entities, research institutions, and independent inventors.
Dr. Perumal recently completed a term as Chair of the Licensing Executive Society’s Life Science Sector Executive Committee, and she has written extensively on IP licensing issues. She has a Ph.D. in Pharmacology from the Baylor College of Medicine and she previously served as Associate Director for Technology Development at the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB). In that role, she developed commercialization strategies for various technologies, and led numerous successful technology commercialization deals, including helping to structure six life sciences start-up companies. She has been recognized by Texas Super Lawyers ® as a Rising Star in Intellectual Property in 2018 and 2019.
“Karthika practices at the intersection of numerous intellectual property and corporate transactional issues, which require highly technical knowledge and an understanding of the client’s overall business goals and how best to achieve them,” said Sarah Keefe, group leader of Womble Bond Dickinson’s Trademarks, Copyright & IP Transactions practice. “It’s a sophisticated and tricky balance, and Karthika brings these skills to Womble Bond Dickinson and our clients.”
“Life sciences and Energy are key client sectors for our firm globally and here in Houston, and Karthika has extensive experience serving both sectors,” said Houston Office Managing Partner Jeff Whittle. “We are delighted to have her and her industry insight and legal acumen on our fast-growing Houston team.”
“Womble Bond Dickinson is known for its strong IP practice, with more than 100 lawyers and patent agents worldwide. The firm is growing rapidly in Houston, and I am excited to join this dynamic team,” Dr. Perumal said.
Womble Bond Dickinson opened its Houston office in January to serve the global energy, advanced manufacturing, technology, and life sciences sectors.