As a technical advisor with a Ph.D. in molecular pharmacology and therapeutics, combined with a master’s degree in patent law, Amy Paulson brings a strong combination of scientific training and intellectual property experience to her work with life sciences clients. Her background in pharmacology, pharmacogenomics, oncology, and precision medicine gives her the technical foundation to understand complex innovations and the scientific and commercial considerations that shape their development.
Before joining Merchant, Amy conducted translational research in pharmacogenomics and oncology, integrating clinical data, laboratory models, and computational drug modeling to identify and evaluate new therapeutic strategies. Her doctoral research focused on triple-negative breast cancer and included investigating XPO1 inhibition as a potential therapeutic strategy. By working across clinical, computational, and experimental settings, Amy developed a practical understanding of how biomedical discoveries move from initial observations and scientific validation toward potential therapeutic applications.
Amy also brings experience in technology commercialization, where she evaluated early-stage biomedical technologies, conducted freedom-to-operate and intellectual property landscape analyses, and collaborated with legal, scientific, and business teams to assess strategies for protecting and advancing new technologies. This work gave her insight into the intellectual property and business considerations that arise as scientific discoveries move from research toward commercialization.
Together, Amy’s experience in scientific research, patent law, and technology commercialization allows her to approach intellectual property matters with an appreciation for both the scientific details that distinguish an innovation and the broader goals that guide its development, commercialization, and intellectual property strategy.