Imagine this – you’re in the lab and you’ve just discovered a novel psychedelic compound. It shows promising results in treating depressive symptoms with minimal side effects  in your mouse model of depression. You may be on the brink of a groundbreaking therapeutic discovery and aspire to commercialize your finding into a biotech startup. But before diving forward, there’s a catch – the world of intellectual property and patents.

In today’s episode, we delve into the complex yet crucial world of psychedelic intellectual property. What exactly patents, why are they essential in safeguarding your innovations? How do they compare with data exclusivity in protecting your technology? 

There’s no better person to guide us through this maze than our guest expert, Gretchen Temeles, Ph.D, JD. Dr. Temeles is an experienced intellectual property attorney with extensive experience in counseling clients in the psychedelics and cannabis space in formulating comprehensive global IP strategies. She has also advised universities, startups, mid market companies, and multinational corporations, and is also a thought leader, serving on the Scientific Advisory Board of Palo Santo VC, a psychedelic therapeutics investment fund. 

Dr. Temeles combines her legal expertise with her scientific background as a former group leader in a biotech company focused on small molecule drug discovery in therapeutic areas that included neurological disorders, inflammation, cancer and infectious disease. This unique blend of skills makes her an ideal guide to understanding the importance of robust intellectual property protection, especially in the burgeoning field of psychedelic therapeutics.

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Dr.Temeles’ bio: 

“Gretchen L. Temeles, Ph.D., J.D., is an experienced intellectual property (IP) attorney and scientist who assists clients in the psychedelics and cannabis space in formulating comprehensive global IP strategies to further their business goals.  She also advises clients in the biotechnology, chemical, and pharmaceutical industries.  Her experience includes patent portfolio management, both U.S. and international patent prosecution, patent landscape analyses, freedom-to-operate searches, IP due diligence, non-infringement and invalidity opinions, trade secret analyses, European opposition proceedings, and transactional work, including material transfer agreements, sponsored research agreements and licensing agreements.  Prior to her work in the legal field, Dr. Temeles spent seven years at an early-stage biotech startup, so she has first-hand experience with the challenges facing emerging companies.  In addition, her experience spans multiple industry sectors, including investors, specialty chemical companies, medical device companies, midmarket biotech companies, and universities, all of which are present or future stakeholders in the burgeoning psychedelics industry.

Dr. Temeles’ experience as a scientist in the biotechnology industry is foundational to her IP practice and the practical, real-world approach she brings to solving legal problems.  She was a group leader in a biotechnology company focused on small molecule drug discovery in therapeutic areas that included neurological disorders, inflammation, cancer, and infectious disease.  Previously, she held research positions at the University of Pennsylvania, and Merck Sharpe and Dohme Research Laboratories.  Dr. Temeles is a co-inventor on two U.S. patents and has authored peer-reviewed scientific papers. She holds degrees from Temple University Beasley School of Law (J.D.); Yale University (Ph.D., Biology); and the University of Pennsylvania (B.A., cum laude).” – Top 200 Global Psychedelic Lawyers and Policy & Regulatory Experts Guide

Further reading: 

Psychedelic and other patents:

1. US 2,438,259 – “D-lysergic acid diethyl amide”
2. US 3,183,172 – “Obtaining Psilocybin and Psilocin from Fungal Material”
3. US 3,192,111 – “Method of Inducing Therapeutic Tranquilization with Psilocybin and Psilocin”
4. US 11,547,673 – “Coronavirus Vaccine”