Jonathan M. Benns, Ph.D.
Registered Patent Attorney Shareholder

Jonathan M. Benns, Ph.D.
Registered Patent Attorney Shareholder
Jonathan focuses primarily on patent prosecution in a variety of diverse technical fields. His practice includes all areas of patent prosecution, as well as patent validity, infringement, and freedom-to-operate opinion support.
As an undergraduate, Jonathan studied Chemical Engineering. He later received a Ph.D. in Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Chemistry. Jonathan’s graduate research at the University of Utah Center for Controlled Chemical Delivery involved designing, synthesizing, and characterizing polymeric gene carriers for cancer gene therapy. As a postdoctoral fellow, he worked with cardiologists to develop polymeric gene therapies for ischemic heart and hind-limb conditions.
Jonathan spends his free time skiing, mountain biking, motorcycling, and hiking. He enjoys sharing his love of the outdoors with his wife, son, and daughter.
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Education
- J.D., University of Utah, S.J. Quinney College of Law
- Ph. D., University of Utah, Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Chemistry
- B. S., University of Utah, Chemical Engineering
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Practice Focus
- U. S. Patent Prosecution
- International Patent Prosecution
- Licensing, Other Transactional Work & Client Counseling
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Technical Experience
- Pharmaceuticals
- Biotechnology & Life Sciences
- Chemistry
- Chemical and Fuels Engineering
- Polymers
- Polymer Chemistry
- Nanotechnology
- Nucleic Acid Technology
- Nucleic Acid Delivery
- SiRNA and RNAi Technology
- Genetics
- Gene Therapy
- Virology
- Immunodiagnostics
- Nutraceuticals
- Medical and Dental Device Technology
- Energy and Fuel Technologies
- Plastics
- Material Sciences – Starches, Cementitious Materials, Biodegradable Consumer Products, Foam Materials and Products, and Asphalt Products
- Inkjet Technology
- Computer Systems, Software, E-Commerce, Business Methods & Information Technology
- Bioinformatics
- Bioanalytical Systems and Software
- Computer Diagnostic Systems for Compositions
- Automated High Throughput Systems and Software
- Automated High Content Systems and Software
- Rapid Prototyping Systems
- Alternative Energy
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Professional Admissions & Associations
- Utah State Bar
- Registered Patent Attorney
- American Intellectual Property Law Association (AIPLA)
- American Bar Association (ABA)
- Supreme Court Historical Society
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Publications, Speaking Engagements & Presentations
- Optimization of Factors Influencing Transfection Efficiency of Folate-PEG-Folate-Graft Polyethylenimine JM Benns et al., J of Controlled Release; 79(1-3): 255-69 (2002).
- Folate-PEG-Folate-Graft Polyethylenimine-Based Cytokine Gene Delivery for Cancer Treatment JM Benns et al., J of Drug Targeting; 9(2): 123-39 (2001).
- pH-Sensitive Cationic Polymer Gene Delivery Vehicle: N-Ac-Poly(L-histidine)-Graft-Poly(L-lysine) Comb Shaped Polymer JM Benns et al., Bioconjugate Chemistry; 11(5): 637-45 (2000).
- Tailoring New Gene Delivery Designs for Specific Targets JM Benns et al., J of Drug Targeting; 8(1): 1-12 (2000).
- International Symposium Extracts
- Folate-PEG-Folate-Graft Polyethylenimine Gene Carrier JM Benns et al.
- International Symposium on Biomaterials and Drug Delivery Systems In Conjunction with 2nd Asian International Symposium on Polymeric Biomaterials Science Cheju Island, Korea (2000)
- Transport Into Cytoplasm Via pH Sensitive Cationic Polymer Gene Delivery Vehicle: N-Ac-Poly(L-histidine)-Graft-Poly(L-lysine) Comb Shaped Polymer JM Benns et al.
- 26th International Symposium on Controlled Release of Bioactive Materials Boston, MA (1999)
- Sequence Listing Requirements in Patent Applications – Continued Legal Education Seminar Salt Lake City, UT May 16, 2008
- A Chemical Engineer in Patent Law – Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Utah – Salt Lake City, UT – Chemical Engineering 4755 guest lecture: Jan. 24, 2006
- Merck v. Integra: Infringement or FDA Exemption? – Continued Legal Education Seminar Salt Lake City, UT – Jul 1, 2005
- Gene Therapy and Gene Delivery – Department of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Utah – Salt Lake City, UT – Pharmaceutics 7030 guest lecture: Apr. 20, 2001, Apr. 17, 2002, and Apr. 17, 2003
- Tailoring Functional Polymeric Gene Carriers – Department of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Utah – Salt Lake City, UT – Doctoral Dissertation Defense: Apr. 11, 2001
- Folate-PEG-Folate-Graft Polyethylenimine Gene Delivery – Department of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Chemistry – University of Utah – Salt Lake City, UT – Seminar: Nov. 20, 2000
- Enhanced Transfection by pH Sensitive Cationic Polymer – Department of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Utah – Salt Lake City, UT – Seminar: Jan. 10, 2000
- Advanced Gene Delivery Designs – Department of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Utah – Salt Lake City, UT – Seminar: Oct. 26, 1998
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Awards & Recognition
- U.S. News & World Report’s Best Lawyers; Patent Law (2021 – 2023)
News and Articles
- Maschoff Brennan Attorneys Once Again Recognized by Best Lawyers and U.S. News & World Report
- Record Number of Maschoff Brennan Lawyers Named to The Best Lawyers in America 2022 Guide
- 15 Maschoff Brennan Attorneys Named Among ‘Best Lawyers in America’ R. Parrish Freeman Named Lawyer of The Year
- MGI Names Three Associates as New Shareholders