Jonathan M. Benns, Ph.D.

Registered Patent Attorney Shareholder

Jonathan M. Benns, Ph.D.

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.

  • 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
  • Practice Focus
    • U. S. Patent Prosecution
    • International Patent Prosecution
    • Licensing, Other Transactional Work & Client Counseling
  • 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
  • Professional Admissions & Associations
    • Utah State Bar
    • Registered Patent Attorney
    • American Intellectual Property Law Association (AIPLA)
    • American Bar Association (ABA)
    • Supreme Court Historical Society
  • 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
  • Awards & Recognition
    • U.S. News & World Report’s Best Lawyers;  Patent Law (2021 – 2023)