As many of you may know by now, Chris Ohly passed away earlier last week. Shamnad has penned a touching obituary which can be accessed here.
Chris Ohly was a fine lawyer and a leading IP litigator. His expertise on the Hatch Waxman act and Biologic Price Competition act was unparalleled. His contribution to IP will be deeply missed!
As readers may recall Chris Ohly has authored several posts for Spicy IP some of which include US patent reform (AIA) act, Myriad gene patent case and India’s Biosimilar guidelines. His posts can be accessed here, here and here.
We would like to bring to our readers a tribute to Chris Ohly from Sailesh Patel, a brilliant attorney and partner at Schiff Hardin LLP who worked closely with Chris Ohly.
D.Christopher (Chris) Ohly
By Sailesh Patel
It is with great sadness that I inform you that Chris Ohly passed away on Monday surrounded by family and friends after a long battle with cancer. As many of you know, Chris was a frequent contributor on this blog and was an avid speaker/writer on issues relating to generics and biosimilars.
Chris fought cancer as long and as hard as anyone has ever battled. He engaged in this fight with optimism and equanimity that were super-human. I believe he was able to do so because he is a uniquely positive person and also because of the love and support he receives from his family and friends. Chris had a positive attitude until the very end. Chris saw the best in everyone and every situation. He was a true inspiration to all of us. He remained passionate about the generics industry and was an active speaker and writer even during the last few months of his life.
Chris was a great lawyer, partner and an enthusiastic light for Schiff Hardin, his clients and friends. We will miss him dearly.
Chris’ funeral will take place at the Cathedral of Mary our Queen at 5200 N Charles St, Baltimore, MD 21210 at 11am this Friday. In lieu of flowers, gifts in memory of Chris may be directed to the support of either the lung cancer research of Julie Brahmer, MD at the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center OR to Johns Hopkins Oncology Nursing, c/o Sharon Krumm, PhD, RN. Please make checks payable to Johns Hopkins University. Gifts may be mailed with a memo indicating that the gift is in memory of D. Christopher Ohly to the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Center, 750 E, Pratt St, Suite 1700, Baltimore, MD 21202.
Chris is survived by his wife Karen Ohly and daughter Rebecca Ohly. He was born in Brooklyn, New York, graduated from Johns Hopkins University in 1972 and University of Virginia Law School in 1975.
PS: A version of this piece was previously posted on linkedin.
