Kathleen Petrillo's practice is devoted to intellectual property law and, more specifically, to patent related issues, including the development, management and enforcement of worldwide patent portfolios. Ms. Petrillo has extensive experience in counseling pharmaceutical, biotechnology, chemical and food science companies, including Fortune 500 companies as well as start-up and emerging growth companies, universities, and venture capital firms. She works closely with her clients to protect their commercially important products and achieve their business objectives while helping them avoid infringement of competitors' patents.  She frequently prepares opinions relating to infringement and validity of pharmaceuticals, biopharmaceuticals, vaccines, herbicide formulations and generics, and advises her clients with respect to freedom to operate involving products with multi billion dollar annual sales. Ms. Petrillo also evaluates intellectual property portfolios in connection with venture capital and private equity financings, acquisitions and joint development initiatives by her clients. Ms. Petrillo has handled re-examination and reissue matters, and regularly works with foreign counsel in developing worldwide intellectual property protection and devising strategies for patent oppositions in foreign jurisdictions. Ms. Petrillo has also acted as in-house patent counsel for clients and has negotiated their license agreements and drafted other technology related agreements.  Ms. Petrillo represents clients including Monsanto Company, Baxter Healthcare Corporation, The Solae Company, Ilypsa, Relypsa, Allied Minds, Hemoshear, Theralogics, the University of Missouri, St. Louis University, and Washington University of St. Louis.