Vern has three decades of experience formulating successful strategies for innovative life science companies and helping them develop IP programs.

Deborah Smith leads Wilson Sonsini’s Patents and Innovations practice in Southern California. She advises high-growth biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies and their investors on IP strategy across the full product lifecycle—from platform development through drug approval, commercialization, and exit—spanning modalities including small molecules, ADCs, degraders, molecular glues, peptides, nucleic acid therapeutics, biologics, and protein conjugates. Her work spans patent strategy, portfolio development, IP due diligence, and IP matters tied to regulatory approval, as well as transactional matters including buy-side and sell-side M&A, licensing, financings, IPOs, and reverse mergers.