Joe Runge is a patent attorney at Gearhart Law focused on intellectual property strategy, patent prosecution, and technology commercialization. He works with startups, entrepreneurs, universities, and emerging companies to help protect innovations across a wide range of scientific and technical industries.
Joe’s background combines law, science, and technology transfer, giving him a practical understanding of both the research and business sides of innovation. Before joining Gearhart Law, he spent more than 20 years working in university technology transfer, helping research institutions protect and commercialize inventions developed in laboratories and research settings.
Joe was drawn to patent law because it allowed him to combine his interests in science, strategy, writing, and problem-solving. While studying biology and environmental science at Creighton University and later working in conservation genetics research at Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo, he realized he wanted to pursue work focused on helping people navigate larger, real-world challenges while still remaining closely connected to scientific discovery and innovation.
In addition to his legal practice, Joe has led and supported innovation initiatives that helped launch multiple startups and secure millions of dollars in funding and commercialization support. He has also served in academic and advisory roles with organizations including the University of Nebraska Medical Center, Creighton University, and the Omaha Chamber of Commerce.
Joe earned his Juris Doctor and Master of Science in Evolutionary Biology from the University of Iowa and his Bachelor of Science in Biology and Environmental Science from Creighton University. He is a registered patent attorney with the United States Patent and Trademark Office and is admitted to practice law in Nebraska.
Outside of his practice, Joe enjoys distance running, swimming, cooking, and spending time with his family, including his two teenage sons. He values continuous learning and is driven by the opportunity to work alongside inventors, entrepreneurs, and innovators across a constantly evolving range of industries.
Publications & Presentations
TEDx:
- Innovation Needs Connection, TEDx Omaha 2024
Tech Transfer Tactics:
- Best Practices for Supporting Clinician Entrepreneurs [techtransfercentral.com]
- University IP License Negotiation Workshop [techtransfercentral.com]
- SBIR/STTR Policy Changes: New Challenges and New Opportunities [techtransfercentral.com]
- Preserving Sponsored Research Integrity: Fortifying Contractual Language and University Policy to Prevent Bias and COI [techtransfercentral.com]
- Avoiding Legal Issues that Can Derail University Start-Ups [techtransfercentral.com]
- Successfully Protect and Monetize Your Software IP [techtransfercentral.com]
- Best Practices for Licensing Research Tools and Materials [techtransfercentral.com]
- Successfully Monetize Your Dust-Collecting Patents [techtransfercentral.com]
- Best Practices for De-Risking University Innovations from Discovery to Exit [techtransfercentral.com]
- Tech Transfer Primer for New Staff and Faculty [techtransfercentral.com]
TechPipeline:
- The Missing Piece: Expanding Your Founder Pipeline [techpipeline.com]
- Generative AI Use in TTOs: Realizing the Potential and Mitigating the Pitfalls [techpipeline.com]
Academic Publications:
- Florescu MC, Foster KW, Sacks AR, Lof J, Stolze EA, Fry GM, Bumgardner DP, Tysinger T, Kuchta MJ, Runge HJ, Hadley WB, Morris MC. “Sheep Model of Hemodialysis Arteriovenous Fistula Using Superficial Veins.” Semin Dial. 2015 Nov-Dec;28(6):687-91. doi: 10.1111/sdi.12407. PMID: 26189959
- Matsuo K, Runge HJ, Miller DJ, Barak-Bernhagen MA, Boedeker BH. “Technology transfer at the University of Nebraska Medical Center.” Stud Health Technol Inform. 2011;163:351-3. PMID: 21335817
- Haugen P, Runge HJ, Bhattacharya D. “Long-term evolution of the S788 fungal nuclear small subunit rRNA group I introns.” RNA. 2004 Jul;10(7):1084-96. doi: 10.1261/rna.5202704. PMID: 15208444
Education
- J.D., Intellectual Property Law – University of Iowa College of Law
- M.S., Biology – University of Iowa
- B.S., Biology and Environmental Science, Philosophy Minor – Creighton University
Bar Admissions
- Nebraska State Bar
- U.S. Patent and Trademark Office