Erin M. Foley

Erin M. Foley, Ph.D., is a Boston-based partner and registered patent attorney who develops global intellectual property strategies for life sciences and healthcare companies at every stage of growth. Her work covers patent prosecution, portfolio management, IP diligence, fundraising reviews, and patent support for licensing and partnership negotiations. She advises companies working in gene editing, gene therapy, RNA therapies, monoclonal antibodies, CAR-T therapies, vaccines, DNA sequencing, and food science.

Erin earned a B.S. in Biochemistry from the University of California, Los Angeles in 2006, a Ph.D. in Biomedical Sciences from the University of California, San Diego in 2012, and a Juris Doctor from Georgetown University Law Center in 2016. Her scientific training supports her ability to understand complex technologies, assess patent rights, and connect legal strategy with research and business goals.

Erin has provided IP due diligence counsel on major life sciences transactions, including Novartis AG’s $1.4 billion acquisition of Tourmaline Bio and Genmab A/S’s $8 billion acquisition of Merus. Her experience also includes freedom-to-operate and patent validity assessments, global portfolio reviews, licensing agreements, joint development contracts, and patent strategy for pharmaceutical products. Before entering private practice, she served as a senior patent attorney at Novartis AG.

Erin M. Foley was recognized by Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch for Intellectual Property Law and Patent Law in 2026. She also speaks to industry audiences about U.S. patent law and strategy. By combining scientific knowledge with legal and commercial insight, she helps biotechnology and pharmaceutical clients protect innovation, evaluate risks, support transactions, and advance products from research through commercialization.

Law Office Affiliations

• Partner, Foley Hoag LLP
• Member, Massachusetts Bar Association
• Member, District of Columbia Bar Association
• Member, The State Bar of California

Licensed State

• Massachusetts
• District of Columbia
• California

Education

• Georgetown University Law Center
  Juris Doctor (JD)
• University of California San Diego
  Doctor of Philosophy (PHD)
• University of California Los Angeles
  Bachelor of Science (BS)