Maki Imakura

Maki Imakura is a dedicated Registered USPTO Patent Attorney in Edmonds, Washington, committed to assisting entrepreneurs and businesses in the realm of cutting-edge technology. Her academic credentials include a B.S. in Cellular & Molecular Biology with a Chemistry minor from the University of Washington, and a J.D. from the Seattle University School of Law. Maki leverages her technical background in life sciences research to offer insightful guidance on technology and intellectual property matters.

Maki's scientific career is marked by significant contributions to cancer research and drug discovery. She has conducted extensive research in prestigious labs, including those at the University of Washington, the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Institute, and Rosetta Inpharmatics, a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc. Her work included analyzing HIV-1 vpr gene mutants, focusing on nuclear import and export. Her industry expertise in oncology and automation led her to develop and implement Merck’s first genome-scale siRNA screen.

In her legal practice, Maki provides comprehensive services such as patentability searches, freedom to operate analyses, and infringement risk assessments. She is skilled in drafting patent applications for computer software, hardware methods, and a variety of devices. Additionally, Maki manages patent portfolio activities with outside counsel and assists in drafting opinion letters.