Roque El-Hayek is involved in the preparation and prosecution of patent applications focusing in the areas of biotechnology, cellular and molecular biology, drug delivery, medical therapeutics, and pharmaceuticals.

Prior to joining Wolf Greenfield, Roque served as a Senior Research Associate with Boston Biomedical Research Institute, where he studied the molecular mechanisms involved in the regulation of intracellular calcium in skeletal and cardiac muscle.

During his postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Wisconsin Medical School Departments of Physiology, Anesthesiology and Pediatrics, Roque studied the regulation of purified skeletal and cardiac ryanodine receptors and dihydropyridine receptors by endogenous intracellular modulators as well as drugs. He also studied the effects of recombinant growth hormone therapy on growth and renal function in an experimental model of compromised kidney function.

Roque has authored and co-authored over 20 articles in journals including Biochemistry, Journal of Biological Chemistry, Biophysical Journal and American Journal of Physiology.

Client testimonial:
"Case management is very important here, and Roque is phenomenal. He is very approachable, accessible and concerned about spending the client’s money. With the other firms we used to work with, you felt like the meter was always running, and that cheapens the relationship. With him, I never felt like he was talking just to get to the next seven-minute billing increment."
Client testimonial:
"The fact that Roque is an MD is fantastic. He understands academic institutions and he understands that our clients are very smart people and he keeps the internal client happy."
Client testimonial:
"Roque is great and the most well-prepared person."
Client testimonial:
"Roque gives some talks, and those are beneficial. It shows that they are engaging their clients. We learn a lot when Roque comes over."
  • Assisted leading academic medical institution in securing patent protection for licensed diagnostic test now widely used and expected to be used on millions of patients and is the basis of a new therapeutic indication.
  • Managed patent portfolio of platform technology for biotechnology client in clinical trials.
  • Successfully defended oppositions of clients' European patents.
  • Prosecuted patent applications in areas of diagnostics, therapeutics and pharmaceuticals in early phases of development as well as in clinical trials.
  • Counseled academic institutions and companies regarding technologies and proposed strategies based on client's business goals.
  • Analyzed clients' patent portfolios for freedom to operate and for prospective investment due diligence.

  • Boston Patent Law Association

Roque has been repeatedly named to the list of Massachusetts Super Lawyers for his work in the field of intellectual property law. He also received the American Heart Association’s Scientist Development Award.



Scientific Publications

Lamb GD, El-Hayek R, Ikemoto N, Stephenson DG. (2000) Effects of dihydropyridine receptor II-III loop peptides on Ca(2+) release in skinned skeletal muscle fibers. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol. 279(4):C891-905. 

Yamamoto T, El-Hayek R, Ikemoto N. (2000) Postulated role of interdomain interaction within the ryanodine receptor in Ca(2+) channel regulation. J Biol Chem. 21;275(16):11618-25.

El-Hayek R, Saiki Y, Yamamoto T, Ikemoto N. A postulated role of the near amino-terminal domain of the ryanodine receptor in the regulation of the sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+) channel. J Biol Chem. 19;274(47):33341-7.

Saiki Y, El-Hayek R, Ikemoto N. (1999) Involvement of the Glu724-Pro760 region of the dihydropyridine receptor II-III loop in skeletal muscle-type excitation-contraction coupling. J Biol Chem. 19;274(12):7825-32.

Ikemoto N, El-Hayek R. (1998) Signal transmission and transduction in excitation-contraction coupling. Adv Exp Med Biol. 453:199-207.

El-Hayek R, Ikemoto N. (1998) Identification of the minimum essential region in the II-III loop of the dihydropyridine receptor alpha 1 subunit required for activation of skeletal muscle-type excitation-contraction coupling. Biochemistry. 12;37(19):7015-20.

Ikemoto N, El-Hayek R. (1996) Reciprocal control of the conformational state of the sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium channel protein by polarization and depolarization in the transverse tubule. FEBS Lett. 7;394(3):330-4.

El-Hayek R, Lokuta AJ, Arévalo C, Valdivia HH. (1995) Peptide probe of ryanodine receptor function. Imperatoxin A, a peptide from the venom of the scorpion Pandinus imperator, selectively activates skeletal-type ryanodine receptor isoforms. J Biol Chem. 1;270(48):28696-704.

Yano M, El-Hayek R, Ikemoto N. (1995) Effects of perchlorate on depolarization-induced conformational changes in the junctional foot protein and Ca2+ release from sarcoplasmic reticulum. Biochemistry. 3;34(39):12584-9.

El-Hayek R, Antoniu B, Wang J, Hamilton SL, Ikemoto N. (1995) Identification of calcium releasetriggering and blocking regions of the II-III loop of the skeletal muscle dihydropyridine receptor. J Biol Chem. 22;270(38):22116-8.

Yano M, El-Hayek R, Ikemoto N. (1995) Role of calcium feedback in excitation-contraction coupling in isolated triads. J Biol Chem. 25;270(34):19936-42.

Kerouz N, El-Hayek R, Langhough R, MacDonald MJ. (1995) Insulin doses in children using conventional therapy for insulin dependent diabetes. Diabetes Res Clin Pract. 29(2):113-20.

El-Hayek R, Yano M, Ikemoto N. (1995) A conformational change in the junctional foot protein is involved in the regulation of Ca2+ release from sarcoplasmic reticulum. Studies on polylysineinduced Ca2+ release. J Biol Chem. 30;270(26):15634-8.

Morrissette J, Krätzschmar J, Haendler B, El-Hayek R, Mochca-Morales J, Martin BM, Patel JR, Moss RL, Schleuning WD, Coronado R, et al. (1995) Primary structure and properties of helothermine, a peptide toxin that blocks ryanodine receptors. Biophys J. 68(6):2280-8.

El-Hayek R, Yano M, Antoniu B, Mickelson JR, Louis CF, Ikemoto N. (1995) Altered E-C coupling in triads isolated from malignant hyperthermia-susceptible porcine muscle. Am J Physiol. 268(6 Pt 1):C1381-6.

Ikemoto N, Yano M, El-Hayek R, Antoniu B, Morii M. (1994) Chemical depolarization-induced SR calcium release in triads isolated from rabbit skeletal muscle. Biochemistry. 13;33(36):10961-8.

Yano M, El-Hayek R, Antoniu B, Ikemoto N. (1994) Neomycin: a novel potent blocker of communication between T-tubule and sarcoplasmic reticulum. FEBS Lett. 12;351(3):349-52.

Connelly TJ, El-Hayek R, Sukhareva M, Coronado R. (1994) L-thyroxine activates the intracellular Ca2+ release channel of skeletal muscle sarcoplasmic reticulum. Biochem Mol Biol Int. 32(3):441-8.

MacDonald MJ, Kerouz N, El-Hayek R, Langhough R. (1993) Early referral of children with IDDM to a specialized program correlates with better long-term metabolic control. Diabetes Care. 16(9):1310-1.

El-Hayek R, Valdivia C, Valdivia HH, Hogan K, Coronado R. (1993) Activation of the Ca2+ release channel of skeletal muscle sarcoplasmic reticulum by palmitoyl carnitine. Biophys J. 65(2):779-89.

El-Hayek R, Parness J, Valdivia HH, Coronado R, Hogan K. (1992) Dantrolene and azumolene inhibit [3H]PN200-110 binding to porcine skeletal muscle dihydropyridine receptors. Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 16;187(2):894-900.

Allen DB, Fogo A, El-Hayek R, Langhough R, Friedman AL. (1992) Effects of prolonged growth hormone administration in rats with chronic renal insufficiency. Pediatr Res. 31(4 Pt 1):406-10.

Valdivia HH, Fuentes O, El-Hayek R, Morrissette J, Coronado R. (1991) Activation of the ryanodine receptor Ca2+ release channel of sarcoplasmic reticulum by a novel scorpion venom. J Biol Chem. 15;266(29):19135-8.


Recent News & Events

October 19, 2016

Wolf Greenfield Attorneys Named to 2016 Super Lawyers, Rising Stars Lists

July 28, 2016

Roque El-Hayek speaks on panel at Boston Children's Hospital

November 2, 2015

23 Wolf Greenfield Attorneys Named to 2015 Massachusetts Super Lawyers List

October 20, 2014

22 Wolf Greenfield Attorneys Named to 2014 Massachusetts Super Lawyers List

October 21, 2013

Twenty Wolf Greenfield Attorneys Selected to 2013 Massachusetts Super Lawyers List

January 3, 2013

Wolf Greenfield Welcomes 2012 Promoting Seven Lawyers to New Positions

October 22, 2012

Fifteen Wolf Greenfield Lawyers Named to Massachusetts Rising Stars List


Expand All

Roque El-Hayek is involved in the preparation and prosecution of patent applications focusing in the areas of biotechnology, cellular and molecular biology, drug delivery, medical therapeutics, and pharmaceuticals.

Prior to joining Wolf Greenfield, Roque served as a Senior Research Associate with Boston Biomedical Research Institute, where he studied the molecular mechanisms involved in the regulation of intracellular calcium in skeletal and cardiac muscle.

During his postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Wisconsin Medical School Departments of Physiology, Anesthesiology and Pediatrics, Roque studied the regulation of purified skeletal and cardiac ryanodine receptors and dihydropyridine receptors by endogenous intracellular modulators as well as drugs. He also studied the effects of recombinant growth hormone therapy on growth and renal function in an experimental model of compromised kidney function.

Roque has authored and co-authored over 20 articles in journals including Biochemistry, Journal of Biological Chemistry, Biophysical Journal and American Journal of Physiology.

Client testimonial:
"Case management is very important here, and Roque is phenomenal. He is very approachable, accessible and concerned about spending the client’s money. With the other firms we used to work with, you felt like the meter was always running, and that cheapens the relationship. With him, I never felt like he was talking just to get to the next seven-minute billing increment."
Client testimonial:
"The fact that Roque is an MD is fantastic. He understands academic institutions and he understands that our clients are very smart people and he keeps the internal client happy."
Client testimonial:
"Roque is great and the most well-prepared person."
Client testimonial:
"Roque gives some talks, and those are beneficial. It shows that they are engaging their clients. We learn a lot when Roque comes over."
  • Assisted leading academic medical institution in securing patent protection for licensed diagnostic test now widely used and expected to be used on millions of patients and is the basis of a new therapeutic indication.
  • Managed patent portfolio of platform technology for biotechnology client in clinical trials.
  • Successfully defended oppositions of clients' European patents.
  • Prosecuted patent applications in areas of diagnostics, therapeutics and pharmaceuticals in early phases of development as well as in clinical trials.
  • Counseled academic institutions and companies regarding technologies and proposed strategies based on client's business goals.
  • Analyzed clients' patent portfolios for freedom to operate and for prospective investment due diligence.

  • Boston Patent Law Association

Roque has been repeatedly named to the list of Massachusetts Super Lawyers for his work in the field of intellectual property law. He also received the American Heart Association’s Scientist Development Award.

Scientific Publications

Lamb GD, El-Hayek R, Ikemoto N, Stephenson DG. (2000) Effects of dihydropyridine receptor II-III loop peptides on Ca(2+) release in skinned skeletal muscle fibers. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol. 279(4):C891-905. 

Yamamoto T, El-Hayek R, Ikemoto N. (2000) Postulated role of interdomain interaction within the ryanodine receptor in Ca(2+) channel regulation. J Biol Chem. 21;275(16):11618-25.

El-Hayek R, Saiki Y, Yamamoto T, Ikemoto N. A postulated role of the near amino-terminal domain of the ryanodine receptor in the regulation of the sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+) channel. J Biol Chem. 19;274(47):33341-7.

Saiki Y, El-Hayek R, Ikemoto N. (1999) Involvement of the Glu724-Pro760 region of the dihydropyridine receptor II-III loop in skeletal muscle-type excitation-contraction coupling. J Biol Chem. 19;274(12):7825-32.

Ikemoto N, El-Hayek R. (1998) Signal transmission and transduction in excitation-contraction coupling. Adv Exp Med Biol. 453:199-207.

El-Hayek R, Ikemoto N. (1998) Identification of the minimum essential region in the II-III loop of the dihydropyridine receptor alpha 1 subunit required for activation of skeletal muscle-type excitation-contraction coupling. Biochemistry. 12;37(19):7015-20.

Ikemoto N, El-Hayek R. (1996) Reciprocal control of the conformational state of the sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium channel protein by polarization and depolarization in the transverse tubule. FEBS Lett. 7;394(3):330-4.

El-Hayek R, Lokuta AJ, Arévalo C, Valdivia HH. (1995) Peptide probe of ryanodine receptor function. Imperatoxin A, a peptide from the venom of the scorpion Pandinus imperator, selectively activates skeletal-type ryanodine receptor isoforms. J Biol Chem. 1;270(48):28696-704.

Yano M, El-Hayek R, Ikemoto N. (1995) Effects of perchlorate on depolarization-induced conformational changes in the junctional foot protein and Ca2+ release from sarcoplasmic reticulum. Biochemistry. 3;34(39):12584-9.

El-Hayek R, Antoniu B, Wang J, Hamilton SL, Ikemoto N. (1995) Identification of calcium releasetriggering and blocking regions of the II-III loop of the skeletal muscle dihydropyridine receptor. J Biol Chem. 22;270(38):22116-8.

Yano M, El-Hayek R, Ikemoto N. (1995) Role of calcium feedback in excitation-contraction coupling in isolated triads. J Biol Chem. 25;270(34):19936-42.

Kerouz N, El-Hayek R, Langhough R, MacDonald MJ. (1995) Insulin doses in children using conventional therapy for insulin dependent diabetes. Diabetes Res Clin Pract. 29(2):113-20.

El-Hayek R, Yano M, Ikemoto N. (1995) A conformational change in the junctional foot protein is involved in the regulation of Ca2+ release from sarcoplasmic reticulum. Studies on polylysineinduced Ca2+ release. J Biol Chem. 30;270(26):15634-8.

Morrissette J, Krätzschmar J, Haendler B, El-Hayek R, Mochca-Morales J, Martin BM, Patel JR, Moss RL, Schleuning WD, Coronado R, et al. (1995) Primary structure and properties of helothermine, a peptide toxin that blocks ryanodine receptors. Biophys J. 68(6):2280-8.

El-Hayek R, Yano M, Antoniu B, Mickelson JR, Louis CF, Ikemoto N. (1995) Altered E-C coupling in triads isolated from malignant hyperthermia-susceptible porcine muscle. Am J Physiol. 268(6 Pt 1):C1381-6.

Ikemoto N, Yano M, El-Hayek R, Antoniu B, Morii M. (1994) Chemical depolarization-induced SR calcium release in triads isolated from rabbit skeletal muscle. Biochemistry. 13;33(36):10961-8.

Yano M, El-Hayek R, Antoniu B, Ikemoto N. (1994) Neomycin: a novel potent blocker of communication between T-tubule and sarcoplasmic reticulum. FEBS Lett. 12;351(3):349-52.

Connelly TJ, El-Hayek R, Sukhareva M, Coronado R. (1994) L-thyroxine activates the intracellular Ca2+ release channel of skeletal muscle sarcoplasmic reticulum. Biochem Mol Biol Int. 32(3):441-8.

MacDonald MJ, Kerouz N, El-Hayek R, Langhough R. (1993) Early referral of children with IDDM to a specialized program correlates with better long-term metabolic control. Diabetes Care. 16(9):1310-1.

El-Hayek R, Valdivia C, Valdivia HH, Hogan K, Coronado R. (1993) Activation of the Ca2+ release channel of skeletal muscle sarcoplasmic reticulum by palmitoyl carnitine. Biophys J. 65(2):779-89.

El-Hayek R, Parness J, Valdivia HH, Coronado R, Hogan K. (1992) Dantrolene and azumolene inhibit [3H]PN200-110 binding to porcine skeletal muscle dihydropyridine receptors. Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 16;187(2):894-900.

Allen DB, Fogo A, El-Hayek R, Langhough R, Friedman AL. (1992) Effects of prolonged growth hormone administration in rats with chronic renal insufficiency. Pediatr Res. 31(4 Pt 1):406-10.

Valdivia HH, Fuentes O, El-Hayek R, Morrissette J, Coronado R. (1991) Activation of the ryanodine receptor Ca2+ release channel of sarcoplasmic reticulum by a novel scorpion venom. J Biol Chem. 15;266(29):19135-8.


Recent News & Events

October 19, 2016

Wolf Greenfield Attorneys Named to 2016 Super Lawyers, Rising Stars Lists

July 28, 2016

Roque El-Hayek speaks on panel at Boston Children's Hospital

November 2, 2015

23 Wolf Greenfield Attorneys Named to 2015 Massachusetts Super Lawyers List

October 20, 2014

22 Wolf Greenfield Attorneys Named to 2014 Massachusetts Super Lawyers List

October 21, 2013

Twenty Wolf Greenfield Attorneys Selected to 2013 Massachusetts Super Lawyers List

January 3, 2013

Wolf Greenfield Welcomes 2012 Promoting Seven Lawyers to New Positions

October 22, 2012

Fifteen Wolf Greenfield Lawyers Named to Massachusetts Rising Stars List