Dianna G. El Hioum

With a professional background that includes large-scale drug manufacturing and development at Amgen, a large international biotechnology company, Dianna understands the procedure of developing and marketing FDA-approved drugs and medical devices from the inside out. She uses this experience in her practice, developing global strategies for her clients' expansion plans that carry a consistent voice and understanding of the portfolio to patent offices around the world. Dianna is a partner specializing in global patent prosecution and opinion work. She has successfully counseled clients on a variety of issues, including reexaminations, licensing (involving drafting and negotiation as well as dispute resolution), freedom to operate investigations, and assessment of non-infringement, invalidity, patentability, and enforceability issues. She uses her persuasive writing and communication skills to obtain important patents, including Orange book listings, and to negotiate before or during litigation. Dianna is experienced in a broad array of industries, including pharmaceutical, chemical, and shooting sports. She offers considerable expertise on topics related to the Hatch-Waxman Act, including patent term extension, Orange Book listings, and Paragraph IV notice letters. Prior to joining Merchant & Gould, Dianna was a principal at Darby & Darby. In her spare time, Dianna snowboards, runs, plays golf, studies Arabic, and runs a book club.

• Partner

• Darby & Darby, P.C., Associate
• Amgen, Inc.

• New York, 2003
• Massachusetts, 2002
• U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, 2002
• U.S. District Court Southern District of New York, 2010
• U.S. District Court Eastern District of New York, 2010