Former FDA Economist Joins J.S. Held's IP Consulting Practice

Nikki Tavasoli, a former senior economist at the FDA, has joined global consulting firm J.S. Held as a leader in its intellectual property practice.

Nikki Tavasoli, a former senior economist at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), has joined global consulting firm J.S. Held as a senior leader within its Intellectual Property (IP) and Economic Damages practice. Tavasoli brings deep expertise in pharmaceutical and life sciences market analysis, having played a key role at the FDA in evaluating the economic impacts of drug approvals, pricing, and regulatory pathways. Her move to the private sector is expected to bolster J.S. Held's capacity to advise clients on complex IP valuation, litigation support, and damages assessments within the highly regulated healthcare industry.

At J.S. Held, Tavasoli will focus on providing economic analysis for high-stakes patent disputes, assessing the commercial value of pharmaceutical and biotech IP portfolios, and quantifying damages in litigation involving antitrust, breach of contract, and false advertising claims. Her government experience provides her with a nuanced understanding of the regulatory and market dynamics that directly influence drug commercialization and patent life cycles, a critical perspective for IP strategy.

"Navigating the intersection of regulation, market access, and intellectual property is central to value creation in life sciences. Nikki's FDA experience is an unparalleled asset for our clients," said a J.S. Held practice leader. Tavasoli stated, "I look forward to applying my regulatory economics background to help companies and legal teams rigorously defend and articulate the value of innovation in a complex global market."

This hiring reflects a growing demand for specialist consultants who can bridge the gap between regulatory science and financial valuation, particularly as patent battles and market exclusivity disputes intensify in the pharmaceutical sector. Experts with direct regulatory agency experience are increasingly sought after by consulting firms to lend credibility and insight to their economic analyses in litigation and transactions.

Tavasoli will be based in the firm's Washington, D.C. area office. J.S. Held indicated that her expertise will be leveraged across its global network, serving clients in North America, Europe, and Asia in the evolving life sciences IP landscape.