Fig. 1 Patents PLLC, a Spokane-based patent preparation law firm, is expanding its expertise into pharmaceuticals with the hiring of Scott Chapple.

Chapple says he started working at Fig. 1 on Jan. 29.

Prior to joining the firm, he was most recently the global head of pharma patents for the ophthalmology franchise of Novartis AG, a multinational pharmaceutical corporation based in Switzerland.

With the addition of Chapple, Fig. 1 gains expertise into the life sciences industry that enables the firm to expand to serve clients in the pharmaceuticals, materials, chemistry, and medical devices industries, says Patrick Walsh, co-founder of Fig. 1.

“Scott brings added dimensions to the ability of Fig. 1 to help its current and future clients,” says Walsh.

In its second year, annual revenue at Fig. 1 grew over 35%, primarily through the firm’s partnerships with clients in the high-tech sector such as Adobe, eBay, and Motorola Mobility LLC, which is a subsidiary of Lenovo Group Ltd., says Walsh.

Chapple has expertise in areas of pharmaceutical intellectual property law, which includes patent protection, exclusivity strategies, mergers and acquisitions, and licensing. 

Mark Niemann, co-founder of Fig. 1 Patents says of Chapple, “Not only does he bring deep and broad experience in the pharmaceutical and medical device fields, but his in-house experience provides Fig. 1 with additional perspective on how to partner with our clients.”

Fig. 1 Patents is in its third year of operations and is located in the historic Cold Storage Warehouse building at 116 W. Pacific, downtown. The firm recently hired six employees, bringing its staff to 30. The firm projects 40% annual growth this year, says Walsh.