David Lu is a Chambers USA and LMG Life Sciences-recognized patent lawyer and a leader in intellectual property strategy and portfolio management. He is a partner in the firm's Intellectual Property practice, where he advises clients in the life sciences sector on patent prosecution, strategic IP portfolio development, and intellectual property due diligence related to mergers, acquisitions, licensing transactions, and investment activities. David has designed and implemented global patent strategies across the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries and has managed high-impact portfolios for international enterprises, mid-sized biotechs, and venture-backed startups. He also provides patent landscape analysis, freedom-to-operate assessments, and patentability evaluations to support clients’ innovation and commercialization efforts.
David brings a comprehensive background in life sciences and intellectual property law, with experience spanning a diverse array of technologies, including monoclonal antibodies, antibody-drug conjugates, mRNA therapeutics, siRNA modalities and delivery platforms, gene and cell therapies, genome editing systems, personalized medicine, small molecule pharmaceuticals, plant microbes, diagnostic assays, medical devices, and laboratory instrumentation. He advises across a wide spectrum of therapeutic areas, such as immuno-oncology, infectious diseases, autoimmune disorders, and rare genetic conditions, helping clients protect and leverage their innovations. David aligns intellectual property strategies with each client’s scientific strengths and commercial goals, delivering tailored, forward-thinking legal solutions that support innovation and long-term growth.
Prior to joining the firm, David served as a partner and co-lead of the life sciences group at a US-based law firm. Before transitioning into his legal profession, David conducted cancer research at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School, contributing to advancements in DNA damage response and BRCA1 biology, with emphasis on molecular mechanisms and microRNA-mediated regulation. His earlier academic work at Duke University focused on RNA biology and virology, exploring mRNA and viral microRNA biogenesis. David has authored numerous peer-reviewed publications in leading scientific journals and presented his research at renowned international conferences.
- Recognized by Chambers USA for Intellectual Property in Massachusetts, 2024-2025
- Recognized by LMG Life Sciences for Patent Prosecution, 2025
- Selected to the Massachusetts Rising Stars list for Intellectual Property, 2019-2023
- National Institute of Health (NIH) Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) Individual Fellowship, 2007-2008
- Member, Boston Intellectual Property Law Association (BIPLA)
- Member, National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA)
- Member, Asian American Lawyers Association of Massachusetts (AALAM)
- Member, Duke Boston Regional Board
- Boston Regional Co-Chair, Duke Asian Alumni Alliance (DAAA)
- Leadership Councils, Health Care and Life Sciences, Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce
- “The Three Pillars of Your Patent Prosecution: Innovation, Insights & Strategy,” CenterForce IP Strategy Series, Boston, MA, 15 June 2023
- Co-author, “Evolutions and investments in life sciences: Q&A with partners David Lu and Hannah Koyfman of K&L Gates,” Boston Business Journal, 1 September 2025
- Co-author, Physiological modulation of endogenous BRCA1 p220 abundance suppresses DNA damage during the cell cycle. Genes Dev. 27(20): 2274-91. (2013)
- Co-author, Further evidence for BRCA1 communication with the inactive X chromosome. Cell 128(5): 998-1002. (2007)
- Co-author, Epstein-Barr Virus microRNAs are evolutionarily conserved and differentially expressed. PLoS Pathog. 2(3):e23. (2006)
- Co-author, Kaposi’s sarcoma associated herpesvirus expresses an array of novel viral microRNAs in latently infected cells. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U S A 102(15): 5570-75. (2005)
- Co-author, Adenovirus VA1 non-coding RNA can inhibit small interfering and microRNA biogenesis and function. Journal of Virology 78(23): 12868-76. (2004)
- Co-author, Nonsense mediated decay induced by tethered human UPF3B is restricted to the cytoplasm. RNA Biology 1(1): 42-47. (2004)
- Co-author, Exon junction complexes mediate the enhancing effect of splicing on mRNA expression. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U S A 100(20): 11327-32. (2003)
- Co-author, Analysis of the stimulatory effect of splicing on mRNA production and utilization in mammalian cells. RNA 9(5): 618-30. (2003)
