Biography
Sherry M. Knowles, Esq. is the Principal of Knowles Intellectual Property Strategies, LLC (www.kipsllc.com; Atlanta, Georgia), which provides global guidance on complex IP matters, patent litigation strategy, licensing, prosecution and investor support. Ms. Knowles has 30 years of experience in global corporate and private practice. From 2006-2010, Ms. Knowles was the SVP and Chief Patent Counsel at GlaxoSmithKline, as worldwide head of patents for litigation and transactional matters, managing over 200 people in 12 offices.
In 2008, Managing IP Magazine named Ms. Knowles one of the top 10 most influential people in Intellectual Property, referring to her as a “Patent Owner’s Advocate.” In 2010, the New Jersey IP Lawyers Association awarded GSK, with Ms. Knowles as the representative, the Jefferson Medal for exceptional contribution to Intellectual Property. In 2010, Managing IP Magazine named the GSK Global Patent Team the “In-House IP Team of the Year” for 2009 for the constructive approach to IP in the developing world, the engagement with public policy in Europe and the successful resolution of the USPTO rules matter in the US. In November 2011, IAM Magazine listed Ms. Knowles among the top fifty key individuals, companies and institutions that have shaped the IP marketplace in the last eight years. Ms. Knowles is listed in IAM Magazine’s 250 (2011) and 300 (2012-2017) Leading IP Strategists and Managing IP Magazine’s Top 250 Women in IP (2014, 2016, 2017) and MIP IP Stars (2016, 2017).
Prior to working at GlaxoSmithKline, Ms. Knowles spent 20 years in large law firm practice. Ms. Knowles created and defended the patent rights for Emory University in Emtricitabine, the most widely medicine for HIV globally (sold by Gilead Sciences), resulting in monetized royalties to Emory of $540 million.
Ms. Knowles is a frequent speaker on patent policy issues, and founded The Kectil Program (www.kectil.com) to mentor developing country youth in innovation, leadership and entrepreneurship.