Sideman & Bancroft attorneys Ronald Fisher and Ellen Leonida continue to make news in the legal world, representing biotech startup Trilobio in its high-profile trade secret case. Their recent victory—securing a temporary restraining order (TRO) against Trilobio’s former co-founder—has been featured in an IAM article titled “Biotech Startup Trilobio’s Trade Secret Battle with Former Co-Founder is a Tale of Broken Trust.”
The case underscores the pivotal role trade secrets play in protecting innovation for emerging companies like Trilobio, which develops robotic lab automation modules and apps for molecular and synthetic biology. According to the complaint, sensitive proprietary technology, including Al biorobotics and oligo pool technology, was allegedly misappropriated by the defendant, a former co-founder.
Fisher, quoted in the article, emphasized the importance of protecting intellectual property proactively:
“The trade secret laws are very protective, but they require companies to actively enforce their intellectual property rights.”
The IAM article delves into the legal and personal complexities of the case, providing insights into the innovative nature of Trilobio’s work and the rigorous standards required to secure a TRO. Judge Jon S. Tigar’s October 17th order, a significant step forward for Trilobio, not only highlights the strength of the company’s case but also reinforces the critical value of trade secrets for startups in highly competitive fields.
Fisher also addressed the pre-litigation efforts to resolve the dispute:
“In this case, Trilobio alerted Mr. Gandall and his counsel of the issues regarding the trade secret via a letter sent on September 6, 2024—weeks before the lawsuit and our motion for the TRO was filed—and asked Mr. Gandall to voluntarily comply with the law. We received no response to that letter.”
With expedited discovery underway and the TRO in place, this case stands as a reminder of the vigilance required to safeguard intellectual property. It also highlights the legal acumen of Sideman & Bancroft’s attorneys, whose expertise continues to deliver impactful results for their clients.
Read the full IAM article here.
