Biography

A.J. leverages his extensive experience as both a researcher and intellectual property professional to assist clients in maximizing the value of their innovations. As a patent agent, he represents large, multi-national companies, growth-stage companies and universities in a variety chemical, pharmaceutical, polymer and nanotechnology patent prosecution matters. A.J. also has several years of experience in assisting in the preparation of patentability, freedom-to-operate and invalidity opinions.

A.J. has worked closely with clients to protect valuable intellectual property related to small molecule therapeutics, pesticides, agrochemical formulations, drug delivery, paints and coatings, surfactants, enhanced oil recovery, biodegradable polymers, adhesives, thermal interface materials, catalysts, thermoplastics, electronic materials, tissue sealants, bone cements, anti-fouling coatings, wastewater treatment, pulp and paper chemistry, scanning probe microscopy, fluorescent probes, polymer nonwovens, microfluidics, and medical devices.

Prior to transitioning to a career in IP law, A.J. amassed nearly a decade of research experience in organic chemistry, polymer chemistry, materials science and biochemistry. He graduated from the University of the South with a B.S. in Chemistry. As an undergraduate researcher, A.J. synthesized and characterized a novel family of glutamic acid-based organogels and metallogels. A.J. also spent a year examining the mechanisms of sterochemical control in the macrolide ring synthesis of the antibiotic Erythromycin A in Saccharopolyspora erythraea. While pursuing his doctoral degree at Georgia Institute of Technology, A.J. synthesized and characterized responsive fluorophores (both small molecules and conjugated polymers) for advanced applications in biosensing, environmental detection and optoelectronic devices. He received a graduate student fellowship from the Center for Organic Photonics and Electronics. A.J. also worked as a research chemist with a micro-optics company developing novel security and anti-counterfeiting features.

A.J. is an accomplished author and technical speaker. He has co-authored numerous technical publications in journals, including Accounts of Chemical Research, Journal of the American Chemical Society, Journal of Organic Chemistry, Organic Letters, Macromolecules and Chemical Communications and Chemistry – A European Journal. He has also presented his research findings at conferences, including multiple national meetings of the American Chemical Society, The 9th International Symposium on Metallomesogens and The 8th International Symposium on Function π-Electron Systems. A.J. is also a co-inventor of an issued U.S. patent related to laser-markable devices.

Education

The University of the South, B.S., Chemistry

Georgia Institute of Technology, PhD, Organic Chemistry

Georgia State University, J.D.

Admissions

  • U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
  • Practice Areas

  • Technologies

  • Publications & Presentations

    • Presenter, Materials Research Society, “Patent Law 101 for Researchers.”

    • Moderator, Licensing Executives Society (LES) 2024 Annual Meeting, “Lessons Learned from Deals Done.”

    • Warren Thomas & Anthony Zucchero, Sovereign Immunity: A “Get Out of Jail Free” Card for State Patent Owners at the PTAB, 18 Chi.-Kent J. Intell. Prop. | PTAB Bar Assoc. L.J. 76 (2019).

    • Immersion Corp. v. HTC Corp. (Fed. Cir. 2016),” June 24, 2016.

    • Presenter, “Maximizing Value Through Mindful Prosecution,” CLE (2014).

    • Presenter, “Inter Partes Review (IPR),” CLE (2014).

    • Davey, E.A.; Zucchero, A.J.; Robinson, J. General Approach to Low-Molecular-Weight Metallogelators via the Coordination-Induced Gelation of an L-Glutamate-Based Lipid. Langmuir. 2012, 28, 27-30.

    • Kub, C.J.; Tolosa, J.; Zucchero, A.J.; McGrier, P.L.; Subramani, C.; Khorasani, A.; Rotello,V.M.; Bunz, U.H.F. Hyperbranched Conjugated Polymers: Postfunctionalization. Macromolecules. 2010, 43, 2124-2129.

    • Zucchero, A.J.; McGrier, P.L.; Bunz, U.H.F. Cross-Conjugated Cruciform Fluorophores. Accounts of Chemical Research. 2010, 43, 397-408.

    • Tolosa, J.; Zucchero, A.J.; Bunz, U.H.F. Water-Soluble Cruciforms: Response to Protons and Selected Metal Ions. Journal of the American Chemical Society. 2008, 130, 6498-6506.

    • Zucchero, A.J.; Wilson, J.N.; Bunz, U.H.F. Cruciforms as Functional Fluorophores: Response to Protons and Selected Metal Ions. Journal of the American Chemical Society. 2006, 128, 11872-11881.