Lee A. Johnson, PhD
Partner
+1.647.499.2630 Toronto
+1.212.692.6858 New York
+1.858.314.2158 San Diego
Lee is a versatile intellectual property attorney and registered patent agent who advises clients on a broad spectrum of IP matters, from patent prosecution and portfolio management to disputes to IP strategy and diligence in connection with transactions. He represents clients across a variety of industries, including biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, AgTech, and FoodTech, on both the company and investor side. Through his work in this space, Lee is an active member of the life sciences ecosystem and has developed strong relationships with venture capital funds, investors, strategic partners, universities, and other incubators.
In his multifaceted work for companies and IP innovators, Lee drafts and prosecutes US and international patents, develops patent strategies, and serves in an advisory role to clients facing disputes before courts in the United States and Canada, and the USPTO. Lee also acts on behalf of investors, emerging companies, and transactional IP counsel in licensing and technology transfer arrangements, research collaborations and partnerships, initial public offerings (IPOs), mergers, and acquisitions.
Lee regularly counsels clients at all stages of growth in order to secure funding, develop and protect their IP portfolios, create long-term strategies, and achieve desired business outcomes. He is often a company’s first lawyer and has deep experience working alongside founders to obtain funding, scale the business, and create profitable exit strategies.
Lee enjoys mentoring budding biotech entrepreneurs, and he frequently writes and speaks on how companies can access capital and maximize their assets. He has given guest lectures at the University of Toronto Medical School, CalTech, the Amplitude Fellowship program, and the University of British Columbia School of Biomedical Engineering.
Prior to joining Mintz, Lee was a partner in the Patents & Innovations group of a leading Silicon Valley-based law firm. He started his career practicing IP law with an international firm based in Canada.
Experience
- Lead outside patent and IP strategy counsel to biotechnology company BELLUS Health from initial diligence of its camlipixant program for chronic cough through their 2019 US initial public offering and $2B acquisition by GSK in 2023.
- Primary outside patent and IP strategy counsel to biotechnology company Zymeworks on patent issues in connection with numerous exclusive pharmaceutical licensing agreements and its 2017 initial public offering and multiple follow-on financings in support of the development and commercialization of zanidatamab, an antibody being studied as a treatment option for biliary tract cancer and gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma (GEA).
- Lead outside patent and IP strategy counsel to molecular testing company ChromaCode on patent matters related to its $10 million Series C financing from Adjuvant Capital, which is backed by health care investors Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the International Finance Corporation, and Novartis, among others.
- Lead outside patent and IP strategy counsel to Northern Biologics, a preclinical company focused on therapeutic antibodies targeting the tumor microenvironment, in all patent matters until it was acquired by Boehringer Ingelheim.
viewpoints
Why companies may want to accelerate marketing approval for their patented drugs in Canada
November 8, 2024 | Blog | By Lee Johnson, PhD, Christine C. Pemberton, PhD
Do Patent Claims to Methods of Treatment Cover In Vivo Transformations?
April 29, 2024 | Blog | By Lee Johnson, PhD, Thomas Wintner, Iris Cheung, PhD
Where an alleged infringer administers a substance A to a subject, and the substance is subsequently transformed to a therapeutic agent X inside the subject’s body, does the administration of the substance A constitute an act of infringement of a patent claiming a method of treatment by administration of the therapeutic agent X?
Basics – How an Inventor’s Own Work Affects Patent Applications
December 6, 2023 | Blog | By Peter Hecker, PhD, Lee Johnson, PhD
Imagine excitedly filing a patent application, waiting years for the case to be examined, and then finding your application rejected on grounds that it is obvious or anticipated by your own previously published work. This is a common situation, but it may be avoided with careful planning.
Distinguishing Patent Protection from Patient Safety – A Role for the FDA
August 21, 2023 | Blog | By Peter Hecker, PhD, Lee Johnson, PhD
At its heart, a patent grants the right to stop another person from doing whatever falls within the scope of the patent’s claims. A patent is not a right to practice what is included in the patent, or a government stamp of approval on everything within the scope of its claims.
News & Press
Mintz Toronto Is in for the Long Haul as It Nears Two Years Proving Naysayers Wrong
January 17, 2025
The Globe and Mail published a feature story about Mintz’s Toronto office, highlighting Mintz’s growth and success in Toronto in tandem with the arrival of new Partners Adam Banack, Geoffrey Cher, and Emily Fan. Insights from Mintz Managing Member Bob Bodian and Toronto Office Managing Member Mitch Frazer are included throughout the piece. The article also mentions Toronto office founding Partners Michael Akkawi, Cheryl Reicin, Eric Foster, and Lee Johnson, as well as Mitch, and includes additional insights from Cheryl and Geoff.
Mintz has been recognized by The Globe and Mail as one of Canada’s Best Law Firms for 2025, gaining distinction in the “Private Equity and Investments” category specifically. This is the second consecutive year the firm has been included on this list.
Mintz Announces Record Member Growth in 2023
December 22, 2023
Mintz proudly announced the election of 13 attorneys to Members and the addition of a record-setting 22 new lateral Members in 2023, with 11 Partners in the newly opened Toronto office. This diverse group strengthens Mintz’s core areas, spanning Commercial and IP Litigation, Life Sciences, Tech, Private Equity, and Energy & Sustainability. The elevated Members and new lateral additions bring invaluable expertise to help clients navigate complex legal landscapes.
High-Profile Toronto Real Estate Attorney Joins Mintz
December 18, 2023
TORONTO – Mintz continues its expansion in Toronto with the addition of Mervyn Allen who joins as a Partner and will launch the firm’s Real Estate practice in Canada.
Mintz Joins Canada’s 2024 Best Law Firms List For First Time
November 20, 2023
Mintz has been recognized by The Globe and Mail as one of Canada’s Best Law Firms for 2024, gaining particular distinction in Private Equity and Investments. This is the first time the firm has been included on this list.
Mintz Signs Sublease For Toronto Office
April 17, 2023
TORONTO – Mintz is pleased to announce that it has subleased the 28th floor at 200 Bay Street’s South Tower, an iconic pillar of Toronto's Financial District. The firm moved into the nearly 24,000 square feet of space on April 1, 2023.
Mintz Continues Bay Street Legal Talent Raid, Hiring Four Lawyers From Torys, Dentons
April 12, 2023
The Globe and Mail featured the arrival of Partners Matthew Atkey and Brad Tartick, Special Counsel Bernard Kwasniewski and Of Counsel Matthew Imrie who will join Michael Akkawi, Cheryl Reicin, Mitch Frazer, Eric Foster, and Lee Johnson in the firm's Toronto office.
Mintz Crosses The Border For Canadian Expansion
April 4, 2023
The Boston Globe covered the firm's expansion to Toronto and the arrival of the office's founding partners Michael Akkawi, Cheryl Reicin, Mitch Frazer, Eric Foster, and Lee Johnson.
BOSTON, TORONTO – Mintz is pleased to announce its expansion into Canada with the opening of a Toronto office, launched by a team of highly regarded and industry-leading attorneys. The new office will add depth and breadth to Mintz’s global Life Sciences practice and will further expand the firm’s strong Private Equity, Capital Markets, and Pensions and Employment practices.
The Deal profiled the firm's Toronto office founding members Michael Akkawi, Cheryl Reicin, Mitch Frazer, Eric Foster, and Lee Johnson who join Mintz to expand the firm's life sciences and private equity practices.
US Firm Mintz’s Toronto Entry About Expanding Cross-Border Opportunities: Mitch Frazer
March 22, 2023
The Canadian Lawyer featured the launch of Mintz's Toronto office and highlighted the arrival of founding partners Michael Akkawi, Cheryl Reicin, Mitch Frazer, Eric Foster, and Lee Johnson.
JD Journal covered the firm's new Toronto office and the arrival founding Partners Michael Akkawi, Cheryl Reicin, Mitch Frazer, Eric Foster, and Lee Johnson.
Mintz's expansion to Toronto and the office's founding Partners Michael Akkawi, Cheryl Reicin, Mitch Frazer, Eric Foster, and Lee Johnson was featured in an article published by The Global Legal Post.
Mintz Launches 1st Non-US Office In Toronto With 5 Attys
March 20, 2023
Law360 covered the opening of Mintz's new Toronto office and profiled founding Partners Michael Akkawi, Cheryl Reicin, Mitch Frazer, Eric Foster, and Lee Johnson.
The American Lawyer spotlighted the opening of Mintz's Toronto office and the arrival of founding partners Michael Akkawi, Cheryl Reicin, Mitch Frazer, Eric Foster, and Lee Johnson.
US Law Firm Mintz Launches In Canada With Toronto Office
March 20, 2023
The firm's expansion into the Toronto market and the arrival of founding Partners, Michael Akkawi, Cheryl Reicin, Mitch Frazer, Eric Foster, and Lee Johnson was covered by Reuters.
The Globe and Mail featured Mintz's expansion into the Canadian legal market and the launch of the firm's Toronto office, with the arrival of Michael Akkawi, Cheryl Reicin, Mitch Frazer, Eric Foster, and Lee Johnson.
Publications
Co-author, Major Change to European Patent System in 2023 to Impact Patent Owners' Portfolios, IP Litigator (November/December 2022)
Lee Johnson contributed to an overview of the Unitary Patent System (UPS), a major change to the European patent system expected to take effect in the second quarter of 2023 at the earliest. The article also discusses how patent owners can opt out of the new system during a transitional period.
Read lessRecognition & Awards
Recognized in the Legal 500 for Patents: Prosecution (2024)
Involvement
- Member, Canadian Bar Association
- Member, Intellectual Property Institute of Canada
- Member, Commercialization Committee, BioCanRx (Canada’s Immunotherapy Network)
- Member, BIOTECanada; Life Sciences British Columbia; Life Sciences Ontario; BioQuebec
Recent Insights
The Globe and Mail published a feature story about Mintz’s Toronto office, highlighting Mintz’s growth and success in Toronto in tandem with the arrival of new Partners Adam Banack, Geoffrey Cher, and Emily Fan. Insights from Mintz Managing Member Bob Bodian and Toronto Office Managing Member Mitch Frazer are included throughout the piece. The article also mentions Toronto office founding Partners Michael Akkawi, Cheryl Reicin, Eric Foster, and Lee Johnson, as well as Mitch, and includes additional insights from Cheryl and Geoff.
Why companies may want to accelerate marketing approval for their patented drugs in Canada
November 8, 2024| Blog|
Mintz has been recognized by The Globe and Mail as one of Canada’s Best Law Firms for 2025, gaining distinction in the “Private Equity and Investments” category specifically. This is the second consecutive year the firm has been included on this list.
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