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Greg Ikonen

Partner | He/Him/His
Partner | He/Him/His
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Areas of Focus

Overview

Greg Ikonen is chair of Crowell’s Life Sciences practice. He has spent more than 20 years advising biotech companies on corporate and complex transactional matters, including structuring and negotiating strategic R&D collaborations, interactions with academic institutions, board governance, and venture and non-dilutive financings. His mix of business and legal in-house experience enables him to provide pragmatic, business-focused solutions to intricate challenges faced by life sciences companies.

Earlier in his career, Greg served as Chief Executive Officer of Mendel Biotechnology, Inc., where he led the successful sale of its operating business, and subsequently led the team after the acquisition in building out its microbial platform and development of new microbial products.

Greg’s representative clients include The Bluefield Project to Cure FTD, IDEAYA Biosciences, and Tasca Therapeutics.

Career & Education

    • Chief Executive Officer, Mendel Biotechnology, Inc.
      • Led the successful sale of its operating business, and subsequently led the team after the acquisition in building out its microbial platform and development of new microbial products.
      • Served as Senior Vice President, Corporate Development, where he developed the business case and strategy for the microbial-focused technology platform that drove the acquisition.
      • Served as the company’s General Counsel, advising on corporate governance matters, successfully completing equity and R&D financings, negotiating collaboration agreements with BP, Bayer Crop Sciences and the Monsanto Company, and overseeing regulatory matters, including representing the company in the BIO trade association.
      • Served as General Counsel for a venture-backed biologics company developing therapies for respiratory diseases.
    • Partner, AmLaw 100 firmFocused on licensing and strategic collaborations for life sciences and technology companies.
    • Chief Executive Officer, Mendel Biotechnology, Inc.
      • Led the successful sale of its operating business, and subsequently led the team after the acquisition in building out its microbial platform and development of new microbial products.
      • Served as Senior Vice President, Corporate Development, where he developed the business case and strategy for the microbial-focused technology platform that drove the acquisition.
      • Served as the company’s General Counsel, advising on corporate governance matters, successfully completing equity and R&D financings, negotiating collaboration agreements with BP, Bayer Crop Sciences and the Monsanto Company, and overseeing regulatory matters, including representing the company in the BIO trade association.
      • Served as General Counsel for a venture-backed biologics company developing therapies for respiratory diseases.
    • Partner, AmLaw 100 firmFocused on licensing and strategic collaborations for life sciences and technology companies.

    • Harvard Law School, J.D.
    • Harvard Law School, J.D.

    • California
    • New York
    • California
    • New York

Greg's Insights

Client Alert | 3 min read | 11.20.25

Implications of CRISPR Dispute on Licensees

A decision in May from the Federal Circuit Court of Appeals has extended the long-standing and well-publicized dispute over inventorship of use of CRISPR-Cas9 technology in eukaryotic cells. When final resolution comes, it will have important implications for users of this technology. Companies currently licensing CRISPR-Cas9 from one of the two groups claiming ownership rights to the fundamental patents covering this technology and those considering licenses or investment in users of the technology should review existing or proposed licenses to better prepare for the potential outcomes of the dispute....

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Practices

Industries

Greg's Insights

Client Alert | 3 min read | 11.20.25

Implications of CRISPR Dispute on Licensees

A decision in May from the Federal Circuit Court of Appeals has extended the long-standing and well-publicized dispute over inventorship of use of CRISPR-Cas9 technology in eukaryotic cells. When final resolution comes, it will have important implications for users of this technology. Companies currently licensing CRISPR-Cas9 from one of the two groups claiming ownership rights to the fundamental patents covering this technology and those considering licenses or investment in users of the technology should review existing or proposed licenses to better prepare for the potential outcomes of the dispute....

View All Insights