Steve Helmer is the Vice President, Chief Patent Counsel at DURECT. Prior to this, they were the Patent Counsel at Nektar Therapeutics from January 2004 to December 2009. From January 2001 to December 2003, they were an Associate at Finnegan Henderson. Steve also served as IP Counsel at Life Technologies from January 2009 to December 2010. In addition, they were an Associate at Fleshner & Kim from January 2003 to December 2004. Before that, they were an Associate at Greenblum & Bernstein from January 1996 to December 2001. Steve started their career as an Examiner at the United States Patent & Trademark Office from January 1994 to December 1996.
Steve Helmer obtained a BS in Chemical Engineering from Michigan Technological University. Steve then went on to obtain an MS in Biotechnology from The Johns Hopkins University. Finally, they obtained a JD from University of Minnesota Law School.
Some of their coworkers include Weiqi Lin - EVP, Research and Development & Principal Scientist, Norman L. Sussman - Chief Medical Officer, and David J. Ellis - Vice President, Clinical Development. Their manager is James E. Brown, President & CEO.
Current role