Zhiqiang Liu is Counsel in the firm's Litigation department. Prior to joining the Firm, Mr. Liu was a Senior Research Scientist at Colgate-Palmolive Company. Mr. Liu worked in the Oral Care Research Department for approximately seven years, developing new actives, formulations, and studying the mode of actions. His work at Colgate resulted in 26 issued U.S. and European patents with additional pending applications. He also received a Global Technology award at Colgate in 2007.

Mr. Liu holds a doctorate in Chemistry from Columbia University. His graduate work was directed to the study of properties of zeolite particles, as well as properties of synthetic polymers. Mr. Liu also pursued a postdoctoral study at Columbia in a joint program between the Chemistry Department and the Genome Center, focusing on the development of a parallel gene sequencing technology and the development of a rapid PCR and mass spectrometry-based platform for simultaneously detecting multiple viruses and bacteria in clinical samples. Mr. Liu’s research at Columbia led to thirteen peer-reviewed publications.

Representative Matters

Patent Litigation

• Representing an innovator pharmaceutical company in multiple Hatch-Waxman (ANDA) suits regarding its drugs for treating hypertension.
• Representing an innovator pharmaceutical company in multiple ANDA suits regarding its drug for treating a gastrointestinal disorder.
• Representing an innovator pharmaceutical company in an ANDA suit regarding its blockbuster drug for treating a mental disorder.
• Represented an innovator pharmaceutical company in a Hatch-Waxman (ANDA) suit regarding its antiviral drug. Won at trial.
• Represented/representing an innovator pharmaceutical company in multiple ANDA suits regarding its blockbuster drug for treating a mental disorder. Won separate trials in two district courts. Secured affirmance from the Federal Circuit in one case and the other remains pending.
• Represented an innovator pharmaceutical company in multiple ANDA suits regarding its drug for treating a metabolic disorder. Obtained favorable settlements.
• Represented an innovator agrochemical company in a patent infringement suit against a generic producer. Secured favorable outcome.
• Defended a medical devices company in a patent infringement suit concerning its products for soft tissue surgical procedures. Successfully defended against a motion for preliminary injunction, won at trial and obtained favorable settlement.
• Defended a medical device company in a patent infringement suit concerning its products for knee replacement surgery. Obtained favorable settlement.
• Defended a medical device company in a patent infringement suit concerning its products for femur fracture surgery. Won summary judgment of non-infringement.
• Defended an information technology company in a patent infringement suit concerning its telecommunications products. Won at trial and obtained affirmance from the Federal Circuit.

Patent Matters Before the International Trade Commission (ITC)

• Representing a building and construction materials company in a patent infringement case before the ITC related to engineered materials.

Inter Partes Review Proceedings in USPTO

• Represented an innovator pharmaceutical company in defending the validity of a patent covering its antiviral drug. Secured denial of institution.
• Represented an innovator agrochemical company in defending the validity of a patent covering its fungicide product. Secured denial of institution.

Other Patent Experience

• Prepared patent-related opinions, including freedom-to-operate opinions for clients in the chemical, pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical industries.
• Representing clients in the dietary supplement industry in enforcing their patent rights against infringers.
• Advised clients on publication policy, and U.S. and foreign patent strategies.

Special Education Advocacy (pro bono)

• Represented/representing multiple students in seeking proper educational placement and related services through negotiation and administrative hearing since 2014.