Ann M. Ladd

Ann helps clients commercialize intellectual property, data and technology rights through a variety of transactions, including merger and acquisitions, joint ventures, strategic alliances, collaboration and research agreements, material transfer agreements, development agreements, and technology and patent licenses.

Ann has a special emphasis on working with companies in the technology and life sciences areas, including diagnostic, pharma, medical device, telemedicine, and other health IT companies. Her knowledge of privacy and cybersecurity allows her to help guide clients as they navigate rights to “big data” and leverage artificial intelligence, while addressing applicable state and federal laws, and evolving industry standards.

Clients note that Ann excels at project management, is exceptionally integrated as a business partner, and call her a “friend and mentor.” She regularly receives recognition as one of the top IP transaction attorneys in the country by IAM Patent 1000.

Ann is a shareholder with Fredrikson, where she has practiced since 1986. She gives back to the community through pro bono and volunteer board activities, including current service  on the boards of The Bakken Museum and Medical Alley Association. Ann served on the firm’s Board of Directors and Executive Committee for almost 20 years, ending her service in 2022.

Patent & Technology Licensing, Development & Research

• Ongoing representation of discovery-stage companies in the pharmaceutical and device industries through complex in and out-licensing, including licenses with some of the largest pharmaceutical and medical device companies in the world, as well as with leading tech transfer officers.
• Represented a clinical stage provider of combination drug/device therapies in multiple joint research and development licenses.
• Represented mature diagnostic compound manufacturer in out-licenses for emerging applications and markets.
• Represented medical device manufacturer accessing new technologies through strategic transactions involving investments, joint research, and license options in fields including diabetes, vascular, and surgical technologies.
• Represented leading regional healthcare provider in agreements to exploit de-identified data at scale for research and development, and in licensing programs for commercialization of compounds and technologies.
• Represented provider of life sciences solutions including reagents, assays, platforms and custom manufacturing and testing services in multiple strategic research transactions supporting new drug and diagnostic testing discovery.
• Represented provider of services and products used in noninvasive reporter gene imaging and oncolytic virology in agreement for joint development of companion diagnostic test and in patent licensing transactions.
• Represented early stage drug discovery companies in patent licenses, research licenses, joint development agreements, and clinical trial agreements with leading health care providers and research institutions in the U.S. and with various research consortia.
• Represented a privately-held biotechnology company focused on the development of oncolytic viruses, in multiple licensing agreements to commercialize its lead oncolytic virus programs.
• Represented multiple early stage companies in transactions supporting their efforts to commercialize inventions through licensing programs at providers and institutions across the country and around the world with emerging technologies including radio-pharmaceuticals and high speed ultrasound.
• Represented leader in clinically-validated quantitative pulmonary analysis services and software in its negotiation of development, licensing and distribution agreements with leading suppliers of pulmonary imaging equipment and minimally invasive endobronchial lung navigation and biopsy systems.
• Represented the world’s largest medical device manufacturing. in patent and technology licensing matters including in conjunction with merger, acquisition, divestiture and investment activity, as well as settlement licenses resolving significant patent litigation.

SaaS/Software Licensing & Outsourcing Transactions

• Represented leading healthcare provider in contracting for tools and technology in support of management of various healthcare and insurance solutions.
• Represented leading provider of online technology supporting sports-life management in various partnering arrangements as well as commercialization programs with end users.
• Represented provider of online solutions used in product warranty and registration in development of customer facing licensing and use agreements as well as reseller and other partnering transactions in the retail industry.
• Represented provider of hosted and on premises based solutions that manage cyber risk information in transactions with leading companies in the banking and financial services industry.
• Represented provider of hosted solutions used to support compensation management in the healthcare industry in multiple contract negotiations including provider, partner and end user agreements.
• Represented provider of hosted cloud based data hub used to offer enterprise wide services including data aggregation, reporting, compensation and compliance with multi-year contracting involving buyers in the financial services industry.
• Represented large technology company that provides both premises-based and SaaS model licenses in drafting and negotiating over 50 OEM arrangements with other technology players, including Symantec, Microsoft, VMware and CSI.
• Provided business technology and e-commerce advice to one of the world’s largest medical device manufacturers as it dramatically increased the scope of its e-commerce and direct-to-consumer marketing activities, including acting as lead counsel for:
  • E-commerce initiative, which included strategic sourcing of technology resources for website creation, hosting and management; co-branding arrangements; and content licensing and data management for a suite of consumer-focused websites.
  • Internal information management systems including employee dashboards and patient data registries.
  • Renegotiation of relationships with suppliers of enterprise-wide technology platforms, both custom-developed and off the shelf, and including SaaS or cloud-based systems.
• Acted as lead outside counsel to one of the largest providers of Part D insurance coverage as it launched its Part D business and increased its web-based marketing of a variety of its products, including negotiations with vendors providing hosted data services, network connectivity, call center support, website development and hosting, content delivery, advertising, and co-marketing agreements; advice regarding web-based and other direct-to-consumer marketing programs, including compliance with CANSPAM, do-not-call legislation and other marketing guidelines.
• Negotiated outsourcing agreements for IT services for leading companies in healthcare and financial services.
• Created standard form customer and reseller agreements and negotiated service agreements for dozens of software and SaaS providers.

Cybersecurity & Data Privacy

• Developed incident response plan and related procedures for large multi national in life sciences industry.
• Collaborated on strategy for compliance with FDA guidance on surveillance of cybersecurity vulnerabilities in connected devices, including development of elements of coordinated disclosure program.
• Developed diligence and contracting practices to reduce risks associated with vendor contracting involving processing of personal health and personal financial information for multiple clients, with an emphasis in the life sciences industry.
• Developed and implemented strategies for cross border flow of employee data for major corporations in life sciences, coatings and paper products industries.
• Lead counsel providing strategy, drafting and negotiations regarding compliance with HIPAA and HiTech for life sciences companies providing services as business associates including data hosting and monitoring services and diagnostics.
• Advised leading medical device client on multiple data breach issues.

Education

• University of Iowa College of Law, J.D., 1986, with high distinction
• Luther College, B.A., History, 1983, magna cum laude

Admissions

• Minnesota, 1986

• IAM Patent 1000: The World’s Leading Patent Professionals, 2015-2021, 2023-2024
• North Star Lawyer, Minnesota State Bar Association, 2012, 2020-2023
• BTI Consulting Client Service All-Star, 2022

Professional Activities

• Fredrikson Executive Vice President, 2004-2022

Community

• The Collider Foundation, Board of Directors, 2021-present
• Medical Alley Association, Board of Directors, 2016-present, Executive Committee 2023-present
• Iowa Law School Foundation, Board of Directors, 2017-2022
• The Bakken Museum, Board of Directors, 2012-2022
• Voyaguers National Park Association, Board of Directors, 2001-2007, 2008-2012; Chair, 2009-2010
• Minnesota Environmental Fund, Board of Directors, 2002-2008