Blair Kanis named Cocona Labs President

March 15, 2022

Kanis assumes leadership as company looks to expand licensing and defend against patent infringement

Boulder, CO (March 15, 2022) /OUTDOOR SPORTSWIRE/ – Cocona Labs, the makers of temperature-regulating 37.5^® Technology, is pleased to announce the appointment of Blair Kanis as President of Cocona Labs. Kanis ascends to the role of President having served as General Counsel and Director of Sustainability for Cocona Labs since 2020.

As a leading global supplier of temperature-regulating materials technology since 2000, Cocona Labs will look to Kanis’ deep expertise in the areas of licensing and intellectual property protection, as the company looks to expand into new areas and defend one of its core patents against infringement.

“Blair’s expertise in licensing has been critical to Cocona’s strong growth over the past several years,” said Cocona Labs CEO and Board Chairman Jeff Bowman. “She has also been a driving force in Cocona Labs’ environmental commitment, notably with the recent incorporation of an enhanced biodegradation additive that helps address the thorny issue of synthetic fiber landfill waste.”

Over the last 5 years, Cocona Labs has been involved in a drawn-out patent infringement lawsuit against both The North Face and Columbia Sportswear. Kanis, a seasoned intellectual property lawyer, has helped lead Cocona’s IP defense since 2016, first as outside counsel and later in-house as General Counsel at Cocona Labs. Bowman said, “Blair has done outstanding work on the defense of our core technologies against industry leaders who we believe infringe our IP. She has played an important role in winning key battles to uphold one of our core patents in court and keep these cases moving forward.”

Blair Kanis graduated from University of Denver Law School and later practiced with Kutak Rock LLP focusing on intellectual property law. Kanis has also been involved in the field of corporate social responsibility (CSR) for over a decade having worked on human rights impact assessments of large-scale corporate projects and advised companies on sustainability topics. In 2013, Kanis helped co-found the Colorado Poverty Law Project, a non-profit organization that aims to prevent homelessness through legal education, representation, and advocacy.

“I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to lead such a dynamic and forward-thinking organization,” said Kanis. “As the 37.5 Technology business continues to grow, I’m very enthusiastic about our expansion into newer areas like footwear and home goods. I also find it gratifying to be part of a company that is making a difference on major sustainability issues; that’s important to me and will continue to be a focal point for Cocona Labs.”

About 37.5® Technology

Materials that incorporate 37.5® Technology are used in outdoor gear, sports apparel, designer clothing, workwear, police and military uniforms, footwear and sleep systems that are designed to manage and maintain your optimal core temperature and relative humidity level. 37.5 Technology was created by Cocona Labs, a world leader in the development, commercialization and marketing of active particle technologies. The company is headquartered in Boulder, Colorado. Visit thirtysevenfive.com for more information.