VPR Brands Engages Top IP Firm to Lead Patent Commercialization for Key E-Cigarette Technology

VPR Brands, LP has retained McAndrews, Held & Malloy, Ltd. as lead patent counsel for its US Patent No. 8,205,622 B2 licensing and commercialization program. The firm, which has been involved in intellectual property transactions representing over $15 billion in cumulative value over the past five years, will oversee all aspects of the program under senior partner Matthew McAndrews. This move comes as the electronic nicotine delivery systems industry experiences one of its most active periods of patent enforcement.

The ‘622 patent covers foundational auto-draw electronic cigarette technology, specifically draw/airflow-activated sensing architectures used in buttonless devices. This technology is broadly relevant to closed-system ENDS products currently authorized for marketing by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration under the Premarket Tobacco Product Application process, including major national brands with FDA PMTA marketing authorization. The patent expires on or about July 2030 and has survived two inter partes review challenges at the USPTO Patent Trial and Appeal Board.

McAndrews, Held & Malloy will lead VPR Brands’ efforts across patent evaluation, strategic portfolio assessment, commercialization planning, licensing negotiations, and structured IP transaction support. The firm will also handle patent enforcement proceedings in federal district courts, before the USPTO Patent Trial and Appeal Board, and before the United States International Trade Commission under Section 337, including exclusion order proceedings. The firm provides full M&A support including IP due diligence, portfolio valuation, and transaction structuring, as detailed in their practice overview.

VPR Brands has previously executed licensing agreements with more than 17 parties across the ENDS supply chain, including some of the industry’s largest brands, manufacturers, distributors, and brand owners. The company continues to advance its commercialization program across the industry while remaining open to commercially reasonable resolutions with industry participants. The engagement reflects VPR Brands’ commitment to pursuing a structured, professionally managed IP commercialization program that encompasses licensing, IP transactions including potential patent acquisition or exclusive licensing arrangements, and enforcement of rights where appropriate.

The firm’s credentials include being ranked Tier One nationally for Patent Law, IP Litigation, and Trademark Law by US News Best Law Firms 2026, and recognition by IAM Patent 1000 and Chambers USA. With 90+ attorneys averaging 18 years of experience, the firm maintains one of the most active PTAB practices in the country and has a dedicated FDA regulatory IP practice including patent term extensions and PMTA-related patent analysis.

Kevin Frija, Chief Executive Officer of VPR Brands, stated that the patent covers foundational technology relevant to FDA PMTA-authorized products currently on the market. With McAndrews, Held & Malloy leading efforts across licensing, transactions, and IP strategy, the company is positioned to execute a structured program. The ENDS industry currently has multiple Section 337 proceedings before the ITC involving the industry’s largest participants, and this retention positions VPR Brands to participate fully in this landscape through commercial licensing, structured IP transactions, or enforcement proceedings.

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