KunyongYang

Partner

San Diego + 1.858.314.1148

Kunyong Yang's practice focuses on developing and managing global patent portfolios involving pharmaceutical, chemical, and biotechnology innovations, including small molecule drugs, lipid nanoparticles, antibody drug conjugates, radiopharmaceuticals, and chemical modification of oligonucleotides (e.g., siRNA, mRNA). He guides clients from the early stages of patent portfolio development, through the product development process, to the development of late-stage life cycle management strategies and regulatory extension opportunities. Particular small molecule pharmaceuticals that Kunyong has been involved with include REVLIMID® (lenalidomide), ONUREG® (azacitidine tablets), ALUNBRIG® (brigatinib), iberdomide, mezigdomide, golcadomide, zidesamtinib, duvelisib, and eganelisib.

Kunyong also advises clients on due diligence matters, including providing patentability, validity, and freedom-to-operate analysis, in association with clients' investment in or acquisition of third parties, as well as licensing and collaboration opportunities. In addition, Kunyong has experience in Hatch-Waxman litigation and patent post-grant proceedings, including inter partes review (IPR) and post-grant review (PGR).

Representative clients include BMS/Celgene, AbbVie, Merck, Nuvalent, HUA Medicine, and Suzhou Abogen Biosciences Co.

Prior to joining Jones Day, Kunyong worked at the Genomics Institute of the Novartis Research Foundation as a medicinal chemist.

Experience

  • Nuvalent establishes global patent portfolios for small molecule ROS1-selective inhibitors, ALK-selective inhibitors, and HER2-selective tyrosine kinase inhibitorsJones Day represents Nuvalent, Inc. in the establishment and prosecution of global patent portfolios related to small molecule ROS1-selective inhibitors, ALK-selective inhibitors, and HER2-selective tyrosine kinase inhibitors for the treatment of cancer.
  • Celgene acquired by Bristol-Myers Squibb for approximately $74 billionJones Day advised Celgene Corporation (NASDAQ: CELG) in connection with the intellectual property and technology transactions aspects of its cash-and-stock merger with Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE: BMY) which has an equity value of approximately $74 billion.
  • Aprea Therapeutics completes $97 million IPOJones Day served as IP counsel in connection with the $97 million initial public offering of Aprea Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: APRE).
  • Takeda expands patent portfolio relating to anticancer drugs and clinical stage anticancer drug candidatesJones Day represents Takeda Pharmaceuticals U.S.A., Inc. in worldwide patent prosecution and portfolio development for approved and clinical stage anticancer drugs and drug candidates, including ALUNBRIGTM (brigatinib), which is indicated for treatment of patients with anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK)-positive metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who have progressed on or are intolerant to crizotinib.
  • Infinity Pharmaceuticals develops global patent portfolio for IPI-549Jones Day represents Infinity Pharmaceuticals, Inc. in the establishment of a global patent portfolio related to IPI-549, a small molecule selective inhibitor of phosphoinositide-3-kinase gamma (PI3K-gamma) for the treatment of cancer.
  • Celgene successfully defends REVLIMID® compound patent against Kyle Bass' IPR petitionJones Day represented Celgene Corporation in successfully defending an IPR petition filed by Coalition for Affordable Drugs VI LLC (CFAD) - a company formed by hedge fund manager Kyle Bass - against U.S. Patent No. 5,635,517, which is listed in the Orange Book for Celgene's REVLIMID® brand drug.
  • Celgene defends REMS patents against Kyle Bass' IPR petitionsJones Day is representing Celgene Corporation in defending four IPR petitions filed by Coalition for Affordable Drugs VI LLC - a company formed by hedge fund manager Kyle Bass - against U.S. Patent Nos. 6,045,501 and 6,315,720, which are listed in the Orange Book for Celgene's REVLIMID®, POMALYST®, and THALOMID® brand drugs, and which pertain to Celgene's Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS)™ for those drugs.
  • Infinity establishes global patent portfolio for small molecule inhibitors of FAAHJones Day assists Infinity Pharmaceuticals, Inc. in the establishment of a global patent portfolio related to small molecule inhibitors of fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH).
  • Speaking Engagements

    • January 18, 2024
      Foreign Filing Licenses and Other Issues Related to Cross-pacific Patent Inventions
    • November 9, 2022
      Advancing Global Drug Development, East-West Biopharma Summit Road Trip
    • May 19, 2022
      Inventorship and Inventor Interviews for U.S. Patent Application Drafting
    • November 18, 2021
      Interplay between Regulatory and Patent Exclusivities – Strategic Considerations