Dr. Yao is a licensed U.S. attorney and patent attorney with extensive experience in global IP management and dispute resolution in the pharmaceutical industry. Dr. Yao is currently Executive Director and Head of IP of Innovent Biologics. Prior to joining Innovent, Dr. Yao led IP and Litigation related work at Seagen (Seattle Genetics), including designing and executing IP portfolio strategy protecting drug candidates, evaluating and mitigating IP risks at various developmental stages, facilitating licensing in, licensing out and other collaborations, and handling IP disputes ranging from USPTO proceedings, Court litigations to international arbitration.  Before joining Seagen, Dr. Yao worked at law firms including Seed IP and Fish & Richardson helping clients implementing global IP strategy and dealing with disputes as needed. Dr. Cong Yao received his JD degree in Law from Boston University, his PHD in Biology from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, and his BS degree in Biological Sciences from Tsinghua University.

Recently, Dr. Yao helped with Seagen’s disputes against Daiichi Sankyo in Court, at USPTO and in international arbitration.  Before joining Seagen, Dr. Yao worked at law firms including Seed IP and Fish & Richardson helping clients implementing global IP strategy and dealing with disputes as needed.  Dr. Yao’s precious clients included Chugai (Roche), Denali, Juno, Illumina etc.

Dr. Cong Yao received his JD degree in Law from Boston University, his PHD in Biology from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, and his BS degree in Biological Sciences from Tsinghua University.