Varsha Pednekar, Ph.D.

Varsha is a patent agent in Taft’s Chicago office specializing in intellectual property counseling, patent drafting, competitive intelligence, and portfolio management for the pharmaceutical and life sciences sectors. She leverages her strong scientific background in organic chemistry and oncology to help companies and universities protect their innovations and align their patent strategies with core business objectives.

Prior to joining Taft, Varsha served as a patent agent at several leading law firms, including specialized IP boutiques and international practices. She has collaborated closely with research and development teams and in-house counsel to develop and maintain global patent portfolios for start-ups and small- to mid-sized enterprises.

Varsha’s professional experience also includes assisting clients with Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) filings, serving as a pharmaceutical sector subject matter expert, and developing robust invalidity positions. Additionally, she is proficient in performing freedom-to-operate, patentability, and invalidity analyses across a diverse range of technologies.

Varsha earned her Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of Connecticut, where her research focused on DNA damage, repair, and mutational processes. She also holds an M.S. in Organic Chemistry from the University of Mumbai and a B.S. in Chemistry with an emphasis on the synthesis and applications of drugs and dyes.