Check out the very first edition of our newsletter!
CROWLEYLAWLLC.COM
MAY 2025
908-460-5529
The Synergy of Science and Law It’s been said that people don’t care much about what you know until they know how much you care. From Ideas to Impact
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I began as a research physicist. That path led me to study physics at Stevens Institute of Technology and Harvard University. I later attended Columbia Law School and spent six years on Wall Street at firms specializing in mergers, acquisitions, and securities and bank financings. Later, I enjoyed a multi-decade stint as corporate counsel for international health products company Johnson & Johnson, where I provided legal guidance in the areas of acquisitions, licensing, commercial transactions, Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) regulations and more. Ten years ago, I left Johnson & Johnson to start a firm focused on helping innovative, quick-moving, small and mid-size companies become leaders in technology and development. Their ascent came when larger companies downsized their discovery efforts and relied more on the work of smaller innovative entities. My goal was to provide proactive, entrepreneurial-based legal guidance to companies that didn’t have the benefit of in-house counsel. A decade later, I still find no greater joy than helping life science entities and technology entrepreneurs realize their dreams and enrich the lives of thousands and even millions of people with their innovative ideas. Just as my firm works to give back to industries we love, we’re committed to providing equal support to the community we call home. In 2018, I helped form a
Connecting with experts who understand your goals, strengths and challenges and help you achieve your fullest potential is always one of your primary goals as an entrepreneur. As innovators in the life science and technology space, you’re fully aware of the need to work with knowledgeable professionals with the expertise necessary to bridge the gaps between business, law and science. This all-important connection is neither common nor easy to achieve, but this goal has fueled my life’s work. I’m Philip Crowley, founder and managing partner of Crowley Law LLC. For this cover article in the inaugural edition of our new monthly newsletter, I’d like to share a bit about how I went from being a physicist (my work was in superconductivity [ bit. ly/4ikLrDf ]) to becoming an experienced corporate lawyer. It’s been an enriching journey that has never failed to fulfill my natural curiosity about how things work, my passion for helping people and the thrill of discovery that drives my love of science. It’s also the reason for my great respect and regard for those innovators who pursue creating new knowledge in the life sciences and other technologies.
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501(c)(3) charity called Hope Through Education to assist disadvantaged public school students in central New Jersey by providing scholarships to academically rigorous, value-based private schools. The firm continues to support its important work of helping to change the trajectories of young students’ lives. I’m proud to share that Hope Through Education has provided close to $1 million in scholarships in the past year alone. Launching a startup company in the life sciences field takes true inspiration and resourcefulness. Crowley Law LLC works to help these entities identify and mitigate risks. That increases the chances of having a legally sound journey. And we are focused on helping innovators avoid being taken advantage of in the process. Whether you’re a biotech company looking to take your patented technology to the negotiation table with a major biopharma company or a company seeking to license technology from your university, we can guide your efforts. Continued on Page 3 ...
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Artificial Intelligence, Real Risks
An AI Business Checklist
We live in a vastly different world than we did three years or even 18 months ago. Artificial intelligence (“AI”) is revolutionizing the world of communication and business faster than most of us can imagine. Since its launch in 2022, ChatGPT has become a world leader in language processing, while BioGPT and similar advancements have already impacted biomedical research. However, the growing use of AI in the life sciences and technology industries has raised considerable ethical concerns over privacy, data ownership, and the overall accuracy of the materials produced. Although any discussion of AI should be viewed as a rapidly moving target, we present a brief snapshot of some primary focus areas that expose businesses
always to check the accuracy of AI-generated material and the citations it includes. 3. Productive Use: It is important not to shun AI completely but to use it productively by auditing its outputs where appropriate. As with most tools, AI requires a human touch to maintain confidence in the content it generates. 4. Humanized Content: At this point in AI’s evolution, the language it typically produces can feel robotic and preprogrammed. Human intervention is often necessary to ensure the generated material flows naturally and contains relevant and correct information. WHERE AI STANDS TODAY Considering the potential pitfalls associated with current AI technologies, it is
to potential errors and liabilities. AN ACTIONABLE AI AGENDA
AI in 2025 is far from a perfect science, but it could be litigious if specific parameters aren’t applied to its use in business. Here is a brief but essential checklist of things to consider as you experiment with or fully embrace AI in your business. 1. Privacy: It is critical to understand that the information you supply to a publicly available language model engine, such as ChatGPT, becomes part of its corpus of knowledge. There is a potential for risk and exposure, especially when proprietary information or the private information of others is shared with these systems.
understandable that some individuals and entities may be afraid to use them. Despite AI’s potential downsides, exploring these systems to determine how they could be used is a wise and necessary investment of time. While AI shouldn’t be viewed as the be-all and end-all, it shouldn’t be avoided at all costs.
In some cases, it may benefit businesses looking for ways to
speed up administrative processes. The probability of many companies — particularly large ones —
determining how to utilize AI effectively for their specific needs in the future is increasingly high. Unless all businesses — even startup and growth-stage companies — gain some level of comfort with AI tools, they risk
Additionally, using other people’s copyrighted material to educate your AI system is always an ethical red flag. 2. Accuracy: Although AI can generate information quickly, the quality and legitimacy of this output varies. It is essential
being left behind in an evolving marketplace. If you have any questions or concerns about AI tools, including ways to best incorporate them into your current business model, contact us today at Info@CrowleyLawLLC.com to arrange a consultation.
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The same is true of our work with technology companies. We have successfully represented newly formed companies in acquiring, financing, and achieving critical milestones. Our firm doesn’t just succeed through our expertise and experience in law and science; we thrive because we celebrate and support the innovators we are privileged to represent. My career up to this point — and the path that led me to start my firm — has been anything but a straight line, but the same can be said for anyone striving to go from lab to patient or from garage to market. My firm and I are here to help you reach your fullest potential because my lawyers and I are people who get it . If you’re a past or current client, I thank you for your trust and ... continued from Cover
From Lab to Patient, Garage to Market Drug Development With Ray Sison
If you’re unfamiliar with Philip Crowley’s “From Lab to Patient, Garage to Market” podcast, Episode 17 is one of several recent installments worth checking out! Ray Sison, managing partner of the drug development consulting firm SCxCMC Solutions, joins Philip for an engaging discussion on some of
confidence in what Crowley Law LLC offers. If you’re new to our services, I can’t wait to help you move your inventiveness and ingenuity toward a bright future.
–Philip Crowley
the critical steps required to introduce products to the consumer market. The conversation addresses various topics, including some of the many challenges facing young companies during the product development phase. “Raising capital has just been really, really difficult — really tricky,” Sison observes. “Hopefully, that’s going to be changing in the next couple of months [...] A lot of uncertainty that has been present is going away.” “With those companies that are in the capital-raise phase, I really like to sit down with them and say, ‘Remember [...] the FDA is approving a drug product that’s going to be on the shelf — not your business plan, not a stack of clinical data, not your correspondence with the FDA, but a product,’” he adds. “All of those things are important, but at the end of the day, you need a product .” Sison also provides insight into the critical conversations he has with clients to help ensure their success. This initial process includes creating a “target product profile” that outlines what the product needs to be. From there, he works with clients to “devise a drug product development plan in parallel with [their] clinical development plan” before crafting a “drug product development strategy.” He stresses the importance of following these steps as early as possible. “When you’re talking to investors, you need to be able to show them that you know the development process and you understand the costs ,” he shares, “It’s the costs, really, that are important up front.” Hosted by Crowley Law LLC Founder and Managing Partner Philip Crowley, the “From Lab to Patient, Garage to Market” podcast explores the critical issues and concerns impacting the biotech, life sciences and startup markets by offering fresh perspectives from industry leaders and experts. It is available on YouTube, LinkedIn, Facebook, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, all the major podcast channels and at CrowleyLawLLC.com .
Note: The foregoing may constitute attorney advertising under applicable bar rules.
Words on a Reciprocal Relationship
Grimes & Yvon LLP
“As attorneys, our reputation is one of our primary assets, so we must have a trustworthy referral network. Crowley Law LLC has been a go-to referral firm for nearly a decade and remains a tremendous resource. Phil is so tapped into the industry and has such great experience that we know our clients will always be in good hands. Even when a client’s request falls outside Crowley Law LLC’s direct services, Philip’s extensive network of contacts ensures that clients will be directed to the most appropriate resources to fulfill their needs. “I once had a friend from grad school — who is a very successful academic scientist and leader in his field — contact me for advice after he developed a compound with therapeutic potential and sought to form a company. The first thing I said was, ‘Call Phil Crowley!’ Phil was able to assist him in advancing his academic work into a company and potential commercial endeavor. Phil’s expertise, guidance and support put him in the best position to succeed. “Phil is a solid, forward-thinking person who strives to do the right thing. I’m always comfortable and confident referring my clients to him.”
–Anne-Marie Yvon
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In This Issue
1. Ignite Innovation With Our Expertise
2. Thoughts on a Moving Tech Target
3. Podcast Preview
Referral Testimonial
4. ‘Murdering’ the Competition
Marketing the Macabre Liquid Death’s Daring Ascent
At first glance, not much about 42-year-old Mike Cessario stands out. Like many in his generation, he’s heavily tattooed and likes to wear band T-shirts. Depending on your age or sensibilities, you’re likely to either pass him on the street without giving him much thought or walk to the other side to avoid him. Either way, your preconceptions would be wrong — dead wrong. Cessario’s the man behind Liquid Death, a name you’ve likely seen on your supermarket shelves. Although you’d expect someone with his aesthetics to fill his company’s aluminum cans with alcohol, he’s made a fortune by selling good old-fashioned … water ?! MURDERING THIRST — AND THE MARKETPLACE Cessario revolutionized the beverage industry by adhering to the philosophy that
the best way to someone’s wallet is through their eyes. With its provocative, skull- emblazed cans and promise to “murder your thirst,” Liquid Death has exceeded expectations of what a water company could achieve. It has grown from a cheeky concept to a $1.4 billion business in just five years , proving that just about anything will sell if given the right spin. THE BRAIN BEHIND THE BRAND Liquid Death’s leader had already mastered the art of millennial-focused marketing long before his brand dominated the field. In addition to collaborating with influencers Steve-O (“Jackass”) and Travis Barker (Blink-182), Cessario’s viral promotion skills helped drive the success of the Netflix shows “House of Cards” and “Stranger Things.” Now at the helm of an outrageously
successful company, he readily admits his upward climb has resulted mainly from choosing what he describes as “the dumbest possible name” for a safe and healthy beverage. As he told CNBC, “If someone I knew saw [one of our cans] in a store, I’m pretty sure they’re going to have to pick that up and be like, ‘What is this?’ And once someone picks something up, you’ve basically won.”
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