Biography
For clients producing biotech advancements in biologics, vaccines, and next-generation therapeutics, Eric M. Brusca, Ph.D. secures patent protection internationally through strategic prosecution and related proceedings. As Chair of the firm’s Biotech & Life Sciences Practice, he counsels companies, research institutions, and investors on building and managing high-value intellectual property portfolios. Clients rely on his experience handling a wide variety of complex technologies, as well as his ability to provide clear, insightful assessments of patentable products and processes, all grounded in his graduate training and research in microbiology, biochemistry, and molecular biology.
Eric’s practice extends beyond traditional patent procurement. He advises clients on global portfolio strategy, freedom-to-operate, and lifecycle management, helping align intellectual property strategies with business, clinical, and investment objectives. He is particularly valued for his ability to navigate evolving patentability issues, including §101 eligibility considerations for emerging life sciences innovations.
Eric is also a thought leader on the intersection of artificial intelligence and life sciences. He has authored articles examining how advancements in AI are transforming biotechnology innovation and shaping intellectual property strategy and is a regular contributor to the firm's PTABWatch blog. In his work, he explores how IP counsel can evolve from transactional advisors to strategic partners for biopharma companies, helping guide innovation, investment decisions, and competitive positioning in increasingly data-driven environments.
A teacher as well, Eric serves as Chair of the firm’s Professional Development Committee, where he leads attorney training and mentoring initiatives. He communicates effectively with clients and colleagues alike and consistently delivers practical, business-oriented guidance while successfully representing clients’ interests.
Since 2023, Eric has been selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America© list in the practice area of Patent Law. Most recently, he was selected for inclusion in the 2026 Illinois Super Lawyers® list. Beginning in 2018, he has been recognized as a "Leading Lawyer" by Leading Lawyers, a division of Law Bulletin Publishing Company. He was selected for inclusion in the 2014–2017 Illinois Rising Stars® lists, featuring outstanding young attorneys in the state. Eric was also designated as an “Emerging Lawyer” in the 2015–2017 editions of Emerging Lawyers Magazine, in which individuals are recognized among the top up-and-coming attorneys in Illinois who are under 40 or have been practicing less than 10 years.
Representative Experience
- Secured patents worldwide for clinical-stage immunotherapy company covering vaccine adjuvants and therapeutic viral vectors.
- Successfully secured U.S. and foreign patents covering HPV vaccines
- Counseled, prepared, and prosecuted dozens of patent applications for clients working with recombinant DNA, protein and antibody technologies. Clients ranged from public and private universities and non-profit research institutions to global “big pharma” companies.
- Secured patents for industry-leading biotechnology companies covering recombinant blood clotting factors and recombinant growth factors.
Eric has handled matters in a wide variety of biotechnology disciplines, such as:
- Artificial Intelligence (AI) / Machine Learning (ML) techniques for large molecule drug discovery
- Cell-free DNA (cfDNA) analyses
- Gut microbiome screening and therapeutics
- Vaccine development technology including vectors, adjuvants and whole tumor cell vaccines
- Nanotechnology including single-cell isolation techniques and analytics (transcriptomics, genomics, proteomics) and microfluidic processes
- Therapeutic RNA including siRNA, miRNA, RNAi and formulations
- Chimeric antigen receptors (CAR-T) and bi-specific antibodies (BiTEs)
- Recombinant DNA, expression vectors, and genetically modified cell lines
- CRISPR and gene editing
- Protein and antibody technology
- Gene therapy
Background and Credentials
Eric has extensively assisted his biotech clients with domestic and foreign patent prosecution, U.S. post-grant proceedings and foreign opposition proceedings, and non-infringement/validity opinions.
Eric received his J.D. from The John Marshall Law School and has matched his legal experience with his mastery of various technologies. Prior to joining the firm, he researched RNA-protein interactions and catalytic RNA molecules in the Department of Chemistry at Loyola University Chicago. He received his Ph.D. in chemistry from Loyola University Chicago in 2001. Throughout his graduate studies, he specialized in research topics pertaining to biochemistry, molecular biology, and microbiology. He holds an M.S. in microbiology from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
Education
- The John Marshall Law School (J.D.)
- Loyola University Chicago (Ph.D.)
- Chemistry
- University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign (M.S.)
- Microbiology
- University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign (B.S.)
- Microbiology
Bar Admissions
Publications and Presentations
- "Building Strategic Partnerships Between IP Law Firms and Biopharma," Life Science Leader, March 4, 2026.
- "IP Due Diligence Checklist: What To Address Before Executing A Transaction," Life Science Leader, January 2020 Issue.
- "Intellectual Property: What qualifies as prior art?," North Carolina Lawyers Weekly, April 15, 2019.
- "Intellectual Property: What qualifies as prior art?," South Carolina Lawyers Weekly, April 15, 2019.
- “IP due diligence: Important questions to address before pulling the trigger on a transaction,” InsideCounsel, September 2, 2014.
Click here to see additional Publications and Presentations.
Community and Professional Involvement
- AUTM
- BIO (Biotechnology Industry Organization)