KAMRIN MACKNIGHT, J.D., Ph.D.
Bay Area
Summary
Executive Legal Leader specializing in global intellectual property strategy and corporate legal functions within biotechnology and life sciences sectors. Delivered significant contributions through the management of extensive patent portfolios and high-stakes litigation strategies, aligning legal frameworks with scientific innovation and business objectives. Focused on enhancing enterprise value and ensuring compliance with regulatory standards while advising C-suite executives and boards on critical risk management and governance issues.
Overview
2027
2027
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
In House Counsel Part Time
RIDGE BIOTECHNOLOGIES INC
Palo Alto
2025 - Current
- Advised on intellectual property strategy, commercial transactions, and corporate governance for early stage biotechnology and AI-driven enzyme development initiatives
- Designed and expanded patent and trademark portfolio strategy to align with therapeutic and industrial biotech commercialization pathways
- Advise senior leadership on legal structuring, risk mitigation, and regulatory considerations impacting R&D and commercialization readiness
- Structured contracts and strategic legal positioning to enhance long-term IP protection and partnership opportunities
Vice President Intellectual Property
CODEXIS INC
Redwood City
2016 - 2025
- Directed enterprise wide intellectual property and legal strategy for a publicly traded biotechnology company with ~2000 patent assets globally
- Served as strategic advisor to CEO and board on enterprise legal risk, IP governance, regulatory exposure, and commercialization strategy
- Led high stakes litigation, enforcement actions, and complex negotiations involving patents, trade secrets, and strategic partnerships
- Oversaw M&A due diligence, global compliance frameworks (GDPR, CPRA, ISO, TSCA), and scaling of internal legal and IP operations
Senior Director, Intellectual Property
CODEXIS INC
Redwood City
2010 - 2016
- Led global intellectual property strategy supporting biotechnology innovation across industrial enzyme and protein engineering portfolios
- Managed international patent prosecution, opposition, and enforcement activities across multiple jurisdictions
- Established IP protection and commercialization frameworks aligning research output with patent portfolio growth
- Collaborated with scientific and R&D teams to identify, secure, and strengthen emerging innovation assets
Director of Intellectual Property
GENENCOR INTERNATIONAL INC
Palo Alto
2005 - 2010
- Led global intellectual property strategy across industrial enzyme and biotechnology portfolios in highly competitive international markets
- Directed worldwide patent portfolio management including trademarks and strategic IP assets across multiple jurisdictions
- Oversaw cross-border intellectual property enforcement strategy, including litigation coordination and risk mitigation actions
- Led IP integration and alignment during corporate acquisition by Danisco, ensuring continuity of global portfolio protection
Senior Patent Counsel
GENENCOR INTERNATIONAL INC
Palo Alto
2002 - 2005
- Achieved successful appellate outcomes preserving key enzyme commercialization rights in global markets
- Managed international patent prosecution strategy across multiple jurisdictions, including successful opposition and appeal proceedings at European Patent Office
- Engineered IP enforcement systems linking product commercialization to patent protection, enhancing revenue safeguarding strategies
- Collaborated with global legal and scientific teams across Europe and North America to align IP strategy with business objectives, ensuring cohesive execution
Education
Ph.D. - Microbiology
University of California, Berkeley
Berkeley, CAJ.D. - Law
Santa Clara University School of Law
Santa Clara, CAMaster of Arts - Biological Sciences (Microbiology)
San Jose State University
San Jose, CABachelor of Science - Animal Science
Brigham Young University
Provo, UTSkills
- Legal leadership
- IP portfolio management
- Contract negotiation
- Risk governance
- Securities compliance
- Cybersecurity governance
- Data protection compliance
- Biotech compliance
- IP lifecycle management
- Legal transformation
- Litigation management
- Patent prosecution
- Patent monetization
- Technology transfer
- FTO analysis
- Cross-border litigation
- M&A integration
- Entity governance
- Board Advisory & Corporate Governance
- Strategic partnerships
- Stakeholder engagement
- Regulatory risk assessment
- Trade secret protection
- IP enforcement strategy
- Innovation protection
- Patent appeals
- R&D legal alignment
- Legal function leadership
Certification
- Registered Patent Practitioner United States Patent and Trademark Office
Member State Bar of California
Certified California Public Health Microbiologist
Timeline
In House Counsel Part Time
RIDGE BIOTECHNOLOGIES INC
2025 - Current
Vice President Intellectual Property
CODEXIS INC
2016 - 2025
Senior Director, Intellectual Property
CODEXIS INC
2010 - 2016
Director of Intellectual Property
GENENCOR INTERNATIONAL INC
2005 - 2010
Senior Patent Counsel
GENENCOR INTERNATIONAL INC
2002 - 2005
Ph.D. - Microbiology
University of California, Berkeley
J.D. - Law
Santa Clara University School of Law
Master of Arts - Biological Sciences (Microbiology)
San Jose State University
Bachelor of Science - Animal Science
Brigham Young University