USA
IT
University
November 2008
Vol. 2, No. 5, Autumn 2008
Rodney Sparks
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Dr. Sparks joined the University of Virginia Patent Foundation in 2004 from the wellknown
intellectual property group at Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP, in Philadelphia. His
practice concentrated on biotechnology, pharmaceutical and chemical patent issues,
including medicine and gene therapy. He has represented a variety of clients in the
United States and abroad, including universities, biotechnology companies and
pharmaceutical companies. Prior to working at Drinker, he was also in private practice at
Morgan, Lewis and Bockius LLP, and at Akin, Gump, Strauss, Hauer and Feld, both in
Philadelphia.
After completing work on his Ph.D., Dr. Sparks completed postdoctoral training in
cellular and molecular biology of cancer at the Johns Hopkins University and at the Mayo
Clinic. He was on the faculty of the Oregon Health Sciences University School of
Medicine and was a tenured faculty member of Tulane Medical School. While on the
faculty at Tulane, he enrolled at Loyola University School of Law. Dr. Sparks’ current
focus includes overseeing outside patent counsel, drafting and prosecuting patents in the
pharmaceutical and biological sciences, preparing opinions and providing counseling on
patent matters. He also is responsible for providing counsel on government reporting
matters for the Patent Foundation and teaches law students in the Law Student Patent and
Licensing Clinic of the University of Virginia School of Law.
Dr. Sparks is a member of the American Intellectual Property Law Association and
belongs to the “Biotechnology,” “Interference,” and “Relations with the U.S. Patent and
Trademark Office” committees of that organization. He also is a member of the
Licensing Executives Society and of the Association of University Technology
Managers. Dr. Sparks has served in various consulting capacities for several agencies of
the U.S. government. He also recently served as a judge for the Modern Marvel patent
contest sponsored by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and InventNow.org.
University of Virginia Patent Foundation
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USA
IT
University
November 2008
Vol. 2, No. 5, Autumn 2008