Martin S. Masar, III, Ph.D.

Martin Masar is an associate in the firm's Intellectual Property Practice.

Dr. Masar has varied experience in patent prosecution and litigation, with emphasis in the scientific fields of chemistry, pharmaceutical arts, nanotechnology and biotechnology. Dr. Masar began his career in patent law as a technical specialist and patent agent at an independent intellectual property firm. He has prepared and prosecuted patent applications for a number of clients from an array of technical fields, including nanotechnology-based mass spectrometry methods and apparatus, nanotechnology-based computer chip coolers, radiation therapy methods for cancer treatment, breathable polymers, fire detection systems, medicine dispensing systems and methods, and dietary supplements. In addition, Dr. Masar has experience in pharmaceutical patent litigation relating to the Hatch-Waxman Act, including preparing opinions, briefs and Paragraph IV Notice letters for over a dozen pharmaceutical products. He has also assisted in domain name disputes via ICAAN arbitration through the World Intellectual Property Organization.

Dr. Masar received his Bachelor of Science from Gettysburg College in 1999, with a concentration in chemistry. He continued his education at Northwestern University, receiving a Ph.D. in inorganic chemistry in 2005 while working with Professor Chad A. Mirkin. Dr. Masar’s dissertation research related to the synthesis and development of pseudo-allosteric synthetic protein mimics that were useful in catalysis and sensing applications. His work lead to six publications in peer-reviewed technical journals, including Journal of the American Chemical Society and Accounts of Chemical Research. During his time at Northwestern, Dr. Masar received one of the 100 annual fellowships from the Multidisciplinary University Research Initiative (MURI), a division of the Department of Defense.

Dr. Masar received his Juris Doctor from the DePaul University College of Law in 2008, where he was a member of the Law Review. He has received awards in patent law courses including the 2007 Robert Chambers Award in Patent Law and CALI Awards in Biotechnology Patent Strategies, Advanced Patent Law Seminar, and Patent Law. He has also received CALI Awards in Legal Writing, Evidence, Legal Profession and Pre-Trial Civil Litigation. Dr. Masar was ranked in the top 5% of his class.

Dr. Masar previously served as Industrial Liaison and Scientific Officer for the International Institute for Nanotechnology, headquartered at Northwestern University. In these roles, he initiated and fostered collaborations between the Institute and corporations and universities from around the world, secured funding for the Institute through corporate partnerships, and drafted grant applications and annual reports to federal and state governmental agencies.

Dr. Masar is admitted to practice in Illinois and before the United States Patent and Trademark Office.