Rena Patel

Rena joined Flagship in 2021 as vice-president, intellectual property counsel. In this role, she develops intellectual property strategies for companies in the Flagship enterprise and counsels them in related matters.

Previously, Rena was chief patent counsel for Vyome Therapeutics Inc., a clinical stage specialty pharmaceutical company focused on treating inflammatory diseases, where she led the company’s patent strategy to protect its technology and pipeline. Prior to joining Vyome, Rena was chief patent counsel for the oral care division of Colgate-Palmolive Company.

Rena started her law career as an associate at Woodcock Washburn (now BakerHostetler), a boutique law firm specializing in intellectual property. She then transitioned to in-house IP practice at Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (in the US and Switzerland), followed by private practice where she provided IP strategy and management to global clients involved in the discovery and development of novel agents in the areas of immuno-oncology, dermatology, ophthalmology and wound healing.

Rena received her law degree from the California Western School of Law and has a Ph.D. in medicinal chemistry from Duquesne University, where her research focused on dihydrofolate reductase inhibitors as anti-cancer agents. She was also a post-doctoral fellow at the Scripps Research Institute, where her research focused on bioorganic chemistry and medicinal chemistry in the fields of virology and oncology.

Rena serves as trustee and chair of the governance committee for NonProfitConnect, a New Jersey-based organization focused on building nonprofit board service and executive leadership.