Crystal Culhane, Ph.D.

About Crystal

Crystal Culhane is an Associate in Fish & Richardson’s Southern California office. Dr. Culhane’s practice focuses on patent prosecution work in the areas of chemistry, pharmaceuticals, and biotechnology, due diligence, patentability and freedom-to-operate opinions, and patent opinions. She also has experience in patent litigation matters, including Hatch-Waxman Act matters.

Dr. Culhane earned her doctorate in chemistry at Johns Hopkins University, where her research focused on the design, synthesis, and evaluation of novel optical and radioactive small molecule prostate cancer imaging agents. She has significant experience in various scientific disciplines, including synthetic organic chemistry, radiochemistry, biology, radiobiology, and small animal imaging.

Dr. Culhane’s prior legal experience includes work as an Associate at a large multinational law firm and as a Technology Specialist in firms in San Diego, CA.

Selected Publications

Barinka, Byun, Dusich, C.L., Banerjee, Chen, Castaneres, Kozikowski, Mease, Pomper, Lubkowski.(2008) “Interactions between human glutamate carboxypeptidase II and urea-based inhibitors: structural characterization.” J. Med. Chem. 51(24):7737-43.

Mease, Dusich, C.L., Foss, Ravert, Dannals, Seidel, Prideaux, Fox, Sgouros, Kozikowski, Pomper. (2008) “N-[N-[(S)-1,3-Dicarboxypropyl]carbamoyl]-4-[18F]fluorobenzyl-L-cysteine, [18F]DCFBC: a new imaging probe for prostate cancer.” Clin. Cancer Res. 14(10):3036-43.

France, Wack, Taggi, Hafez, Wagerle, Shah, Dusich, C.L., Lectka. (2004) “Catalytic, asymmetric alpha-chlorination of acid halides.” J. Am. Chem. Soc. 126(13):4245-55.

Presentations

“Protecting your IP from Infringement with Effective Patent Prosecution and Counsel in the Life Sciences,” San Diego Office CLE Event (January 24, 2018)

“Protecting your IP from Infringement with Effective Patent Prosecution and Counsel,” Association of Corporate Counsel – San Diego Chapter presentation (December 14, 2017)

“Recent Flip-Flops in Intellectual Property Law,” moderator, Fish L.E.A.D. event (September 27, 2017 – Palo Alto)

Named to the “Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch” list by The Best Lawyers in America© (2021).

Named one of San Diego’s Top Attorneys by SD Metro Magazine, 2020

Named a 2019 “Woman of Influence” by San Diego Metro, 2019

Named one of San Diego’s Top 40 Under 40 by The Daily Transcript, 2018

Selected for the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity (LCLD) Pathfinder Program, 2018

Selected as one of the “40 Under 40” by SD Metro, 2017