Kevin MacDonald, PhD
Shareholder
| Biotechnology
Overview
Kevin MacDonald assists clients with IP strategy and portfolio management, and patent prosecution and counseling, across a wide range of technologies including cell and gene therapy, RNA interference, bioinformatics, mRNA therapeutics, and biologics manufacturing. Kevin represents clients across the spectrum including venture-backed start-ups, large biopharma, public and private universities, and research institutions.
Kevin also represents clients in buy- and sell-side IP due diligence, and drafting and negotiating IP-centric agreements, such as licensing agreements, sponsored research agreements, and technology collaboration agreements.
Kevin performed his doctoral research at the Institute of Parasitology at McGill University in Montreal, Canada, and earned his MSc. from the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, England. His PhD research focused on using RNA-interference and cell-based activity assays to study the cholinergic signaling pathways involved in the control of parasitic worm motility.
Experience
- Represented a viral-vector CDMO in connection with a sponsored research and licensing agreement with an international pharmaceutical and laboratory equipment supplier.
- Represented a viral-vector CDMO in connection with a services agreement with a company developing in vivo gene delivery technology.
- Represented a biomedical software company developing a clinically validated AI platform in a strategic alliance with one of the world's most respected cancer centers.
- Represented an AI-based life sciences technology company in association with a university for a sponsored research collaboration.
- Built a large gene therapy patent portfolio and implemented worldwide IP strategy for a public university that resulted in formation and funding of several start-up biotech companies.
- Drafted and managed prosecution of a patent portfolio relating to machine learning-based molecular cancer diagnostic technologies.
- Conducted IP due diligence for private equity fund in connection with Series B financing of small biotech company.
- Assisted start-up biotech company in defending IP due diligence in connection with IPO and subsequent acquisition by large biopharmaceutical company.
- Represented biologics manufacturing company in connection with in-licensing negotiations for key materials and IP rights.
Activities
- Boston Intellectual Property Law Association
Recognition
- Repeatedly recognized on the Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch list by The Best Lawyers in America®
- Repeatedly named to the list of Massachusetts Rising Stars by Super Lawyers
- McGill International Doctoral Award (2008–2014)
- McGill Presidential Fellowship (2010–2011)
- Rhodes-Gilles Memorial Scholarship, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (2007–2008)
- Thomas P. O’Neill, Jr. Scholarship Boston College (2001–2005)
- Jurisprudence Prize for Corporations, Suffolk University (2017)
Interests
Kevin was a member of the NCAA Division I varsity wrestling team at Boston College and was also a member of the Boston College Rugby Football Club. In his free time, Kevin enjoys traveling and skiing.