Z. Jean Ge

Z. Jean Ge, PhD

Associate | Biotechnology
617.646.8472 Jean.Ge@wolfgreenfield.com LinkedIn Profile

Education

  • BS, Biotechnology, Nanjing University
  • PhD, Biochemistry and Structural Biology, Stony Brook University
  • JD, Suffolk University Law School, ​cum laude

Key Technologies

  • Antibodies
  • Antibody Fusion Proteins
  • Antibody-drug Conjugates
  • RNA-based Therapeutics
  • Gene and Cell Therapies
  • Synthetic Biology

Practice Groups

Languages

  • Mandarin Chinese

Admitted to Practice

  • Massachusetts 
  • US Patent and Trademark Office

Location

  • Boston
  • Washington, DC

Overview

Jean Ge counsels clients in the life sciences industry on IP strategy, IP portfolio development and management, and worldwide patent prosecution. Jean stays engaged with her clients to align patent strategy with regulatory strategies to maximize exclusivity positions for clinical programs. She is experienced in defending and conducting IP due diligences and in developing and implementing strategies to address third-party patent risks, including regularly conducting invalidity, non-infringement, and freedom-to-operate analyses as well as providing opinions.

With a particular focus on antibodies and antibody-drug conjugates, and RNA-based therapeutics, Jean also has extensive knowledge in the areas of cell and gene therapies, and synthetic biology. Clients Jean represents include venture-backed start-up companies, multinational pharmaceutical companies, venture capital firms, and research institutions.

Prior to joining Wolf Greenfield, Jean held a postdoctoral fellowship at the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), where she conducted research on the inhibition mechanism of Nonsense­-Mediated mRNA Decay (NMD) pathway and human gene regulation. Jean also completed an internship at the Office of Technology Transfer and Development (OTTAD) of NHLBI, where she gained experience in technology transfer and research commercialization in the federal government.

Client Testimonial

Jean Ge is an impressive [attorney] who has a thorough grasp of our entire portfolio and how the pieces of that portfolio interrelate.


Experience

  • Developed and managed a patent portfolio and implemented worldwide patent strategy for an early-stage biotech company that successfully raised over $400 million to develop life-changing therapies for rare muscle diseases, which is now a clinical stage company with multiple pipelines
  • Developing and implementing coordinated patent strategies including global exclusivity strategies and third-party patent risk management strategies for companies developing antibody, ADC, and RNA based therapies
  • Managing worldwide patent portfolios and developing global exclusivity strategies for clinical candidates in the immuno-oncology space and RNA therapeutics space for global pharmaceutical company
  • Assisted global pharmaceutical company in IP due diligence in relation to the acquisition of a clinical stage biotech company in the immuno-oncology space for $525 million
  • Assisted global pharmaceutical company in IP due diligence in relation to the acquisition of a pre-clinical stage biotech company in the cell therapy space for $950 million
  • Conducted IP due diligence for private equity companies in connection with financing of early-stage biotech companies in the RNA-therapeutics space
  • Represented early-stage biotech companies in defending IP due diligence in connection with private fund raising, IPO, and acquisition.
  • Collaborated with European counsel to develop and execute successful oppositions strategies

Activities

  • RNA Society
  • The Society of RNA Therapeutics
  • The Chinese Antibody Society
  • Women in Bio
  • Startup mentor/Expert for The eForum, MassChallenge, and Swissnex

Recognition

  • Recognized on the Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch list by The Best Lawyers in America® (2025)
  • Named to the list of Massachusetts Rising Stars by Super Lawyers (2023-2024)
  • Law Dean's Scholarship, Suffolk University Law School (2018-2021)
  • Trustee Academic Scholarship, Suffolk University Law School (2018-2021)
  • NIH Intramural Research Training Award, National Institutes of Health (2012)

Publications

Scientific Publications

  • Aparna Kishor, Sarah E Fritz, Nazmul Haque, Zhiyun Ge, Ilker Tunc, Wenjing Yang, Jun Zhu, J Robert Hogg (2020) Activation and inhibition of nonsense-mediated mRNA decay control the abundance of alternative polyadenylation products. Nucleic Acids Research, Volume 48, Issue 13, Pages 7468–7482,
  • Aparna Kishor, Zhiyun Ge, J Robert Hogg (2019) hnRNP L-dependent protection of normal mRNAs from NMD subverts quality control in B cell lymphoma. EMBO J;38(3):e99128.
  • Zhiyun Ge, Bao Lin Quek, Karen L Beemon, J Robert Hogg (2016) Polypyrimidine tract binding protein 1 protects mRNAs from recognition by the nonsense-mediated mRNA decay pathway. Elife;5:e11155.
  • Zhiyun Ge, Preeti Mehta, Jamie Richards, A Wali Karzai. (2010) Non-stop mRNA decay initiates at the ribosome. Mol Microbiol;78(5):1159-70.
  • Zhiyun Ge and A. Wali Karzai (2009) Co-Evolution of Multipartite Interactions Between an Extended tmRNA Tag and a Robust Lon Protease in Mycoplasma. Mol Microbiol.; 74(5): 1083–1099.
  • Thomas Sundermeier, Zhiyun Ge, Jamie Richards, Daniel Dulebohn, A Wali Karzai (2008) Studying tmRNA-mediated surveillance and nonstop mRNA decay. Methods Enzymol;447:329-58

Recent News


Events

See All Events

Interests

  • Rock Climbing
  • Golf
  • Hiking
  • Cooking