Ivan Poullaos

About Ivan Poullaos

I\'m an intellectual property trial lawyer who helps pharmaceutical innovators, generic and biosimilar manufacturers, and technology‑driven companies solve high‑stakes IP disputes quickly, strategically, and with a clear path to trial when it matters most. My practice centers on Hatch‑Waxman and BPCIA litigation, complex life sciences disputes, and hybrid patent/trade‑secret cases.Clients and independent ranking bodies describe my approach as responsive and trial‑savvy, and that I am highly effective in distilling dense technical issues into compelling courtroom narratives. Chambers USA recognizes me for patent litigation in Illinois and calls me “an extremely responsive and trial‑savvy lawyer.” The IAM Patent notes that I am “an excellent litigator for high‑stakes patent jury cases.”Over two decades of practice and a background in chemistry allow me to take highly technical matters to verdict with confidence. My experience includes: • Jury victories clearing clients of infringement, including a case where plaintiffs sought more than $40 million in damages. • A landmark invalidity win against the patent covering the hepatitis B drug Baraclude® (entecavir)—the first decision to invalidate a new chemical compound claim as obvious, later affirmed on appeal. • All‑issues wins at trial and on appeal for a major cell‑culture device manufacturer facing patent, contract, and trade secret claims. • Regular representation of leading pharma companies in district courts, the Federal Circuit, and PTAB proceedings.How I help clients: • Fast, clear strategy in Paragraph IV and biosimilar patent disputes • Trial‑ready narratives grounded in scientific credibility • Efficient case management with early issue‑spotting and PTAB leverage • Integrated approaches to patent + trade secret conflicts in life sciences tools and technologiesIf you\'re navigating a launch‑at‑risk scenario, building a biosimilar entry strategy, preparing for a patent enforcement fight, or facing a multidimensional IP dispute, I help teams move from uncertainty to decisive action. I\'m always happy to connect with GCs, Heads of IP, and leaders across the pharma and life sciences ecosystem.

Experience

1. Partner

   Winston & Strawn LLP

   Dec 2010 — Present

   I am a trial lawyer with expertise in patent infringement cases in areas such as biologic devices, mobile telecommunications, computer software, and mechanical devices. I have developed a particular concentration in pharmaceutical and biologics infringement cases. With a degree in Chemistry, I have been able to take many technical cases to trial with remarkable success. I obtained a significant jury trial victory in a case in which our client’s buprenorphine tablets were cleared from allegations of patent infringement. As a result of the jury’s favorable finding, the jury awarded no damages against our client, despite a request for more than $40 million. In another trial win, we successfully invalidated the patent covering the active ingredient molecule in the Hepatitis B treatment, Baraclude® (entecavir). The decision was especially important because for the first time, it invalidated as “obvious” a patent on a new chemical compound. The case received extensive press coverage, including articles in Forbes, Bloomberg, Law360, Inside Counsel, among other outlets. I have also represented major technology companies in matters involving VPN tunneling, video processing technology, tablet computers, software for electronic futures trading, and the development of smartphones. I have also represented companies in patent cases relating to technologies as diverse as cell culture apparatuses, digital display devices, specialty railcar design, and enclosed belt conveyers.

Skills

• Patents
• Courts
• Patent Litigation
• Legal Writing
• Litigation
• Patent Strategy
• Pharmaceutical Industry
• Trials
• Pharmaceuticals
• Appeals
• Intellectual Property
• Civil Litigation
• Commercial Litigation
• Chemistry