Hassen Sayeed is Co-Head of O’Melveny’s Life Sciences IP Litigation practice and one of the few patent litigators in the United States with a medical degree. His work focuses on representing innovative life sciences companies in contested matters involving pharmaceuticals and biotechnology.
For nearly two decades, Hassen's unique background has given him valuable insight and unrivaled technical understanding to help both domestic and international companies to achieve their strategic goals. His dedication to client service and his legal acumen have been consistently recognized by multiple publications. Hassen was named a "Life Sciences Star" for Hatch-Waxman patent litigation by LMG Life Sciences and has been twice named as a “Legal Lion” by Law360 for helping lead patent trial teams. The Legal 500 named him a Recommended Lawyer for both Life Sciences and Patent Litigation, as well as a Next Generation Lawyer for Life Sciences. IAM Patent 1000 has noted that Hassen attracts "glowing reviews," with clients commending him as “thorough and responsive”, achieving client goals “even under immense time pressure”, and producing work product that is “consistently excellent”. In the most recent edition of IAM Patent 1000, clients described Hassen as “an excellent lawyer and a top-notch patent litigator. He also has a deep scientific background and training, which makes him the best choice for high-stakes issues. Hassen is thorough, thoughtful, creative and delivers results on time and on budget.”
Hassen has also devoted significant efforts to pro bono work. In 2022, Hassen co-led a team on behalf of a pro bono client alleging defamation by multiple defendants, including InfoWars’ Alex Jones, in connection with tragedies occurring at the 2017 Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, Virginia. Hassen’s team secured a rare public admission of liability from Jones. Hassen’s team also secured admissions of liability in court filings from seven other defendants accused of defamation.
Hassen is a frequent speaker on developments in patent law and an active member of the IP community, including for championing increasing diversity and inclusion in the bar. He previously served as a Global Fellow of the Federal Circuit Bar Association and on the IPO President’s Task Force for Diversity, Inclusion and Leadership.
- Lead counsel for international pharmaceutical company on patents related to treatment of hematological cancers.
- Lead counsel for international pharmaceutical company on patents related to treatment of ovarian cancer.
- Lead counsel for international pharmaceutical company against multiple generic challengers on patents related to oral heart failure drug.
- Co-lead counsel for international pharmaceutical company on patents related to treatment of irritable bowel syndrome.
- Co-lead counsel for international pharmaceutical company on patents related to treatment of hypotrichosis.
- Co-lead counsel for international pharmaceutical company on patents related to treatment of multiple myeloma.
- Defended leading biologics company in BPCIA litigation relating to a biosimilar version of Humira®.
- Represented leading Japanese pharmaceutical company against multiple generic challengers on patents concerning first-in-class diabetes compound.
- Represented leading Japanese pharmaceutical company against multiple generic challengers on patents concerning treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia.
- Represented leading German innovator company in patent infringement cases involving methotrexate and autoinjector technology.
- Represented leading German innovator company against multiple generic challengers on patents concerning topical corticosteroid cream.
- Represented leading Japanese pharmaceutical company against multiple generic challengers on patents involving beta-blocker treatment for glaucoma.
- Represented innovator pharmaceutical company in patent infringement action concerning patents directed to inhalation medication for the treatment of pediatric asthma.
- Represented innovator pharmaceutical company in patent infringement action concerning patents directed to osteoarthritis treatment.
- Represented leading pharmaceutical company against multiple generic challengers on patents concerning chemotherapy drug used to treat glioma.
Admissions
Bar Admissions
- New York
Court Admissions
- US District Court, Eastern and Southern Districts of New York
- US Court of Appeals, Federal Circuit
- US Supreme Court
Education
- Harvard Law School, J.D.
- Brown University Medical School, M.D.
- Harvard College, A.B.
Honors & Awards
- Recommended for Life Sciences (2019) and Patent Litigation (2019-2021, 2024), and Next Generation Partner for Life Sciences (2021-2025) by The Legal 500 US
- Recognized by Chambers USA for Intellectual Property: Patent (2025)
- Recognized by Best Lawyers in America for Litigation - Patent in New York, NY (2022-2025)
- Named Life Sciences Star for Hatch-Waxman Patent Litigation by LMG Life Sciences (2020, 2022-2024)
- Recognized by IAM Patent 1000 (2020-2023)
- Global Fellow, Federal Circuit Bar Association (2016-2017)
- IP Litigation Rising Star, New York Super Lawyers (2014-2015)
Professional Activities
Member
- American Medical Association
- Federal Circuit Bar Association
- Intellectual Property Owners Association (Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology Issues Committee; Women in IP Committee; Presidential Task Force on Diversity, Inclusion, and Leadership)
- New York Intellectual Property Association
- New Jersey Intellectual Property Association
- South Asian Bar Association of North America
- National Asian Pacific American Bar Association
Moderator
- “An In-House Perspective on Biologics/Biosimilars Litigation,” The New York Intellectual Property Law Association (February 2019)
Publications
- Co-author, “AI and Life Sciences Patents: Separating Myth From Reality,” New York Law Journal (March 20, 2020)
- Co-author, “Intellectual Property Developments in Biochip Nanotechnology, 3 Nanotech Law & Bus. 1 (2006)
- Co-author, “New Developments: Financial Conflicts of Interest in Human Subjects Research,” 2 Med. Res. L. & Pol’y Rep. (BNA) 421 (June 4, 2003)
- Author, “Recent Developments in Health Law, Patient Confidentiality: Hospital’s Release of Alcohol Treatment Data Does Not Violate Regs,” 30 J.L. Med. & Ethics 133, 319 (2002)
- Author, “Recent Developments in Health Law, FMLA: Department of Labor Overstepped Authority,” 30 J.L. Med. & Ethics 356, 462 (2002)
- Mentioned, “Original-Patent Rule Dooms Drug Injection Complaint,” Law360 (November 17, 2014)
- Mentioned, “Appeals court won’t stop Medac from selling injectable drug,” Reuters Legal (November 17, 2014)
- Mentioned, Law360's weekly "Legal Lions" list (May 7, 2020)
Speaker
- “Passports to Proficiency,” Hatch-Waxman and BPCIA litigation series, American Conference Institute (ACI) (Oct. 10-26, 2023)
- “Best Ways to Protect Your Innovation,” J&J’s Legal Webinar Series for Life Sciences Entrepreneurs (July 16, 2020)
- “What Can Medical Biotechnology Learn from Patent Litigation in Industrial and Agricultural Biotech?” Bio IP Counsels Committee Conference (November 14-16, 2018)
- “Life Sciences Overview 2017”, Practising Law Institute, 11th Annual Patent Law Institute, New York (April 7, 2017)
- “Ethical Considerations in Paragraph IV Practice,” American Conference Institute, Paragraph IV Disputes Conference, New York (April 25, 2016)
- “Ethical Considerations In Paragraph IV Practice: A Roadmap For 2016,” American Conference Institute, Paragraph IV Conference (April 26, 2016)
- “Inter Partes Reviews and U.S. Biopharma Litigation Strategy,” C5’s 8th Forum on Pharma & Biotech Patent Litigation 2016 (March 15, 2016)
- “Introduction To ANDA Litigation And Hot Topics For 2016,” Japan External Trade Organization Health Care Study Group (March 17, 2016)
- “Ariosa v. Sequenom: The End Of Precision Medicine?”, New York Pharma Forum (March 29, 2016)
- “Hatch-Waxman Litigation: Delisted Patents And Challenges To Personal Jurisdiction,” The Knowledge Group Webinar (January 2016)
- “Evolving Biosimilars Landscape: Opportunities and Challenges,” New York Pharma Forum (May 13, 2015)
- “Hatch-Waxman Bootcamp,” Training Series (July 2015)
- “Pharmaceutical Brand Protection For Method Claims,” The Knowledge Group Webinar (August 2015)
- “Establishing Personal and General Jurisdiction in A Paragraph IV Case,” American Conference Institute, Paragraph IV Conference Master Class (September 30, 2015)
- “Post-Grant Proceedings In Patent Litigation: Perspectives From Life Sciences & High Tech,” National Asian Pacific American Bar Association Annual Convention (2015)
- “Abbreviated New Drug Application (ANDA) with Paragraph IV Certification: Critical Insights in 2015 – Challenges To Personal Jurisdiction,” The Knowledge Group Webinar (2015)