Prosecution Insights
Last updated: April 19, 2026
Application No. 17/638,144

PHARMACEUTICAL COMPOSITION FOR TREATING CANCER COMPRISING ANTICANCER VIRUS, IMMUNE CHECKPOINT INHIBITOR AND HYDROXYUREA AS ACTIVE INGREDIENTS

Final Rejection §102§103
Filed
Feb 24, 2022
Examiner
DENT, ALANA HARRIS
Art Unit
1643
Tech Center
1600 — Biotechnology & Organic Chemistry
Assignee
BIONOXX INC.
OA Round
2 (Final)
44%
Grant Probability
Moderate
3-4
OA Rounds
3y 11m
To Grant
77%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 44% of resolved cases
44%
Career Allow Rate
324 granted / 730 resolved
-15.6% vs TC avg
Strong +33% interview lift
Without
With
+32.6%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
3y 11m
Avg Prosecution
62 currently pending
Career history
792
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
11.0%
-29.0% vs TC avg
§103
29.7%
-10.3% vs TC avg
§102
23.1%
-16.9% vs TC avg
§112
27.4%
-12.6% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 730 resolved cases

Office Action

§102 §103
DETAILED ACTION Notice of Pre-AIA or AIA Status 1. The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA . Response to Amendments and Arguments 2. Claims 1-9, 11-21 and 25 are pending. Claims 1-9 and 11, drawn to non-elected inventions and non-elected species are withdrawn from examination. Claim 12 has been amended. Claims 12-21 and 25 are examined on the merits with species, vaccinia virus. Withdrawn Grounds of Rejection Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102 3. The rejection of claim(s) 12-14, 16, 19-21 and 25 under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Zitvogel et al., US 2017/0143780 A1 (published May 25, 2017) is withdrawn in light of Applicant’s amendment to independent claim 12, see Amendments to the Claims (pages 3 and 4) and Remarks (paragraph (para.) bridging pages 6 and 7 and 1st full para. on page 7), both submitted November 17, 2025. Maintained Grounds of Rejection Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103 4. The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 103 which forms the basis for all obviousness rejections set forth in this Office action: A patent for a claimed invention may not be obtained, notwithstanding that the claimed invention is not identically disclosed as set forth in section 102, if the differences between the claimed invention and the prior art are such that the claimed invention as a whole would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the claimed invention pertains. Patentability shall not be negated by the manner in which the invention was made. 5. The rejection of claim(s) 12-21 and 25 under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Zitvogel et al., US 2017/0143780 A1 (published May 25, 2017), and further in view of Fishbein et al., (Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics 5(5): 537-672, 4 January 2016) is maintained. The declaration under 37 CFR 1.132 filed November 17, 2025 is insufficient to overcome the rejection of claims 12-21 and 25 based upon Zitvogel et al., US 2017/0143780 A1 (published May 25, 2017), and further in view of Fishbein et al., (Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics 5(5): 537-672, 4 January 2016) applied under 35 U.S.C. 103 as set forth in the last Office action because: the showing of Experiment 1 (Figure A) cited on page 2 of the declaration conducted in Experimental Example 3 (Figure 3) as filed in the specification is not commensurate in scope with the claims. The claims read broadly on any cancer, while Figure A reads on the treatment of renal cancer with three administered therapeutic agents, “the group receiving the combination of Wyeth VVtk- (oncolytic virus), anti-PD-LI (immune checkpoint inhibitor), and hydroxyurea (HU) [, which] showed a significant tumor-suppression effect compared to groups receiving the Wyeth VVtk- alone, the PD-L1 inhibitor alone, the combination of Wyeth VVtk⁻ and the PD-L1 inhibitor, or the combination of Wyeth VV²⁻ and HU.”, see segment 8 spanning pages 2 and 3 of the declaration. However, it is not clear if the three therapeutic agents were comprised individually within three distinct and separate compositions as set forth in newly amended claim 12. Notwithstanding, while Figure A does evidence synergism, this evidence is limited to the treatment of renal cancer with Wyeth VVtk- (oncolytic virus), anti-PD-LI and HU, see segments 5-8 spanning pages 2 and 3 of the declaration. Additional showings presented on pages 3 and 4 of the declaration are not germane to the rejection at issue because they do not read on the treatment of cancer with a first composition comprising an oncolytic virus as an active ingredient, a second composition comprising hydroxyurea as an active ingredient, and a third composition comprising an immune checkpoint inhibitor as an active ingredient, see Figure B and Figure C. Experiment 2, Table 1 on page 5 of the declaration does not cite the median survival days for #7 in Table 1. Moreover, the lines within Figure D, Figure E and Figure F reading on different therapeutic agents and a control are indiscernible, see pages 5-7 of declaration. For instance, there are imperceptible differences between the lines for VVtk-, HU, anti-PD-L1 and VVtk- + HU, as well as the lines for VVtk- + anti-PD-L1 and VVtk- + HU + anti-PD-L1 are indistinguishable, see Figure D on page 11 of the declaration. In the Remarks, Applicant argues “…Zitvogel does not disclose the use of hydroxyurea as an ‘active ingredient’ that is contained in a separate composition”, as newly amended claim 12 now reads on three separate compositions, see Remarks submitted November 17, 2025, page 7, part A., 2nd sentence. Applicant further argues “Zitvogel and Fishbein do not disclose or suggest using a triple combination of an oncolytic virus, a hydroxyurea and an immune checkpoint inhibitor as separate compositions.”, see page 8 of the Remarks, 1st paragraph (para.). Applicant also argues, “Claim 12 is further patentable over the cited references. As explained in paragraph 4 of the Declaration Under 37 C.F.R. § 1.132 filed herewith (hereinafter referred to as the "Hwang Declaration"), the present Inventors surprisingly discovered that using the combination the "oncolytic virus," the "hydroxyurea" and the "immune checkpoint inhibitor" leads to a synergistic effect in treating tumors.”, see page 8, 3rd para. Applicant’s declaration and arguments have been carefully considered, but fail to persuade. As stated in the preceding paragraphs (paras.) are the reasons why the rejection does not fall. Furthermore, Fishbein teaches an individual composition comprising hydroxyurea as an active ingredient for the treatment of a malignant disease, see entire document. And Zitvogel teaches therapeutic agents independently and separately placed in a solvent, diluent and/or composition, see abstract; page 2, section 0019; and page 12, sections 0133 and 0136. It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to combine of teachings of Zitvogel and Fishbein to have three independent compositions comprising each the oncolytic virus, HU and ICI as active ingredients, separately because each reference teaches such. One of ordinary skill in the art would have been motivated to do so with a reasonable expectation of success by the teachings of both, Zitvogel and Fishbein, as well as what is known in the art, active agents in independent compositions ensure stability of the active agent, as well as limit premature interactions prior to point(s) of administration. Hence, the rejection is maintained. Zitvogel teaches “…methods to treat, prevent, or inhibit proliferative diseases, especially cancer” with an oncolytic virus in combination with one or more immune checkpoint modulator(s), see page 1, section 0001; page 2, sections 0011 and 0016; sections 0038-0041 spanning pages 3 and 4; and page 8, section 0080. “[I]n the context of the present invention is coupling of the immune checkpoint modulator to an external agent such as radiosensitizer agent,” for instance hydroxyurea, see page 11, section 0124. The oncolytic virus and the immune checkpoint modulator, which is coupled to hydroxyurea may be administered at the same time or sequentially, see page 12, section 0133. Moreover, the immune checkpoint modulator may be administered first and oncolytic virus second, see page 14, section 0146. As well as, the hydroxyurea coupled to the immune checkpoint modulator can be administered before, during or after administration of the oncolytic virus. “Intervals between each administration can be from several hours to one year (e.g. 24 h, 48 h, 72 h, weekly, every two weeks, monthly or yearly). Intervals can also be irregular (e.g. following the measurement of monoclonal antibodies in the patient blood levels). The doses can vary for each administration within the range described above.”, see page 14, section 0146. “In a preferred embodiment, the oncolytic virus and the immune checkpoint modulator(s) are administered sequentially (separately or interspersed), with a specific preference for the virus starting first followed by the immune checkpoint modulator(s). The period of time between the first administration of the oncolytic virus and the first administration of the immune check point modulator(s) may vary from approximately several hours (at least 6 hours) to several week(s). In a preferred embodiment, the method of the present invention comprises at least one administration of the oncolytic virus before starting administration of the immune checkpoint modulator(s), with a specific preference for at least 2 viral administrations followed by 2 to 5 administrations of the immune check point modulator(s) (e.g. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 or 14 days separating the second viral administration from the first immune checkpoint modulator administration). Another preferred therapeutic scheme involves from 2 to 5 (e.g. 3) intravenous or intratumoral administrations of 108 or 109 pfu of oncolytic vaccinia virus [VV] at approximately 1 or 2 weeks interval followed by or interspersed with 2 to 5 (e.g. 3 or 4) intravenous administrations of 3 to 10 mg/kg of anti-immune checkpoint antibody(ies)(s) every 2 or 3 weeks.”, see page 14, section 0147. The oncolytic virus is a VV engineered to lack thymidine kinase (TK) activity, see page 2, section 0014; page 5, sections 0051, 0053, 0054 and 0057; page 7, sections 0077 and 0078. “Suitable dosage for the oncolytic virus varies from approximately 105 to approximately 1013 vp (viral particles), iu (infectious unit) or pfu (plaque-forming units) depending on the virus and the quantitative technique used. As a general guidance, vaccinia virus doses from approximately 105 to approximately 1013 pfu are suitable, preferably from approximately 106 pfu to approximately 1011 pfu, more preferably from approximately 107 pfu to approximately 5×109 pfu; doses of approximately 108 pfu to approximately 109 pfu being particularly preferred (e.g. dose of 108, 2×108, 3×108, 4×108, 5×108, 6×108, 7×108, 8×108, 9×108 or 109 pfu) especially for human use. On the same line, doses reduced by a factor of 10 to 100 may be considered for local intratumoral injection(s) of the oncolytic virus.”, see page 13, section 0142. “[T]he proliferative disease treated by the method of the invention is cancer and especially melanoma, renal cancer, prostate cancer, breast cancer, colorectal cancer, lung cancer and liver cancer.”, see page 2, section 0018; and page 3, section 0036. Zitvogel does not teach the claimed method of treatment, wherein a first composition comprising an oncolytic virus as an active ingredient, a second composition comprising hydroxyurea as an active ingredient, and a third composition comprising an immune checkpoint inhibitor as an active ingredient is administered. Moreover, Zitvogel does not teach the hydroxyurea is administered 3 to 5 days before administration of the oncolytic virus and is continuously administered once a day for 9 to 28 days after administration of the oncolytic virus, wherein the hydroxyurea dosage is 10 mg/kg/day to 90 mg/kg/day and delivered intraperitoneally or intravenously. Zitvogel does not teach the claimed method of treatment, wherein the immune checkpoint inhibitor is continuously administered at least once a week for 1 week to 10 weeks after administration of the oncolytic virus. However, Zitvogel teaches therapeutic agents in an effective amount of an active agent may be administered in a single composition, separate composition, see page 12, section 0133; and page 15, section 0166. Fishbein teaches an individual composition comprising hydroxyurea as an active ingredient for the treatment of a malignant disease, see entire document. And Zitvogel teaches therapeutic agents independently and separately placed in a solvent, diluent and/or composition, see abstract; page 2, section 0019; and page 12, sections 0133 and 0136. It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to combine of teachings of Zitvogel and Fishbein to have three independent compositions comprising each the oncolytic virus, HU and ICI as active ingredients, separately because each reference teaches such. Zitvogel further teaches the immune checkpoint modulator may be administered first and oncolytic virus second and vice versa, see page 14, section 0146. The hydroxyurea uncoupled to the immune checkpoint modulator is able to be administered 3 to 5 days prior to the administration of the oncolytic virus and the hydroxyurea can be continuously administered once a day for 9 to 28 days after administration of the oncolytic virus and a dose of 10 mg/kg/day to 90 mg/kg/day. As well as, the immune checkpoint inhibitor is able to be continuously administered at least once a week for 1 week to 10 weeks after administration of the oncolytic virus. Likewise, the hydroxyurea uncoupled to the immune checkpoint modulator is also able to be administered via the same preferred routes as the immune checkpoint modulator(s), intravenously (e.g. intravenous injection or infusion), intratumorally and intraperitoneally as a separate composition, see page 13, section 0145. In addition, Fishbein teaches administration of hydroxyurea (HU) to patients with malignant disease, see abstract; Table 1 on page 575; and the entire document. Daily dosages ranged from “…30 mg. per kilogram per day (range 15 to 66 mg. per kilogram per day)”, as well as in daily doses varying from 15 to 100 mg. per kilogram.”, see Table II on page 576; page 577, 1st column; page 578, 1st column; and paragraph bridging 578 and 579. It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to combine of teachings of Zitvogel and Fishbein to treat cancer with the administration of the three therapeutic agents as separate compositions and the desired times and dosages as stated in the claims, especially since Zitvogel states “Intervals between each administration can be from several hours to one year (e.g. 24 h, 48 h, 72 h, weekly, every two weeks, monthly or yearly)... The doses can vary for each administration within the range described above.”, see page 14, section 0146. One of ordinary skill in the art would have been motivated to do so with a reasonable expectation of success by the teachings of both, Zitvogel and Fishbein to administer separate combinations of each therapeutic agents as an active agent to render synergistic immune responses, see page 1, section 0008; page 2, section 0011; section 0038 spanning pages 3 and 4; and Combination Therapy segment spanning pages 12 and 13; and sections 0194 and 0195 on page 17. Moreover, hydroxyurea has exhibited considerable and reproducible antitumor activity, as well as has been well tolerated over a wide dose range in patients with proliferative diseases, see both documents in their entireties; and especially Fishbein, pages 574 and 575. 6. The rejection of claim(s) 12-21 and 25 under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Nakao et al., US 2021/0315951 (effective filing date September 26, 2018, see English Translation of JP2018-0179632), and further in view of Coffey et al., US 6,596,268 B1 (issued July 22, 2003) and Fishbein et al., (Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics 5(5): 537-672, 4 January 2016) is maintained. The declaration under 37 CFR 1.132 filed November 17, 2025 is insufficient to overcome the rejection of claims 12-21 and 25 based upon Nakao et al., US 2021/0315951 (effective filing date September 26, 2018, see English Translation of JP2018-0179632), and further in view of Coffey et al., US 6,596,268 B1 (issued July 22, 2003) and Fishbein et al., (Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics 5(5): 537-672, 4 January 2016) applied under 35 U.S.C. 103 as set forth in the last Office action because: the showing of Experiment 1 (Figure A) cited on page 2 of the declaration conducted in Experimental Example 3 (Figure 3) as filed in the specification is not commensurate in scope with the claims. The claims read broadly on any cancer, while Figure A reads on the treatment of renal cancer with three administered therapeutic agents, “the group receiving the combination of Wyeth VVtk- (oncolytic virus), anti-PD-LI (immune checkpoint inhibitor), and hydroxyurea (HU) [, which] showed a significant tumor-suppression effect compared to groups receiving the Wyeth VVtk- alone, the PD-L1 inhibitor alone, the combination of Wyeth VVtk⁻ and the PD-L1 inhibitor, or the combination of Wyeth VV²⁻ and HU.”, see segment 8 spanning pages 2 and 3 of the declaration. However, it is not clear if the three therapeutic agents were comprised individually within three distinct and separate compositions as set forth in newly amended claim 12. Notwithstanding, while Figure A does evidence synergism, this evidence is limited to the treatment of renal cancer with Wyeth VVtk- (oncolytic virus), anti-PD-LI and HU, see segments 5-8 spanning pages 2 and 3 of the declaration. Additional showings presented on pages 3 and 4 of the declaration are not germane to the rejection at issue because they do not read on the treatment of cancer with a first composition comprising an oncolytic virus as an active ingredient, a second composition comprising hydroxyurea as an active ingredient, and a third composition comprising an immune checkpoint inhibitor as an active ingredient, see Figure B and Figure C. Experiment 2, Table 1 on page 5 of the declaration does not cite the median survival days for #7 in Table 1. Moreover, the lines within Figure D, Figure E and Figure F reading on different therapeutic agents and a control are indiscernible, see pages 5-7 of declaration. For instance, there are imperceptible differences between the lines for VVtk-, HU, anti-PD-L1 and VVtk- + HU, as well as the lines for VVtk- + anti-PD-L1 and VVtk- + HU + anti-PD-L1 are indistinguishable, see Figure D on page 11 of the declaration. In the Remarks, Applicant asserts “…the obviousness rejections over Nakao in view of Coffey and Fishbein because, as explained in Section A above (by reference to the Hwang Declaration), the present Inventors surprisingly discovered that using the combination the "oncolytic virus," the "hydroxyurea" and the "immune checkpoint inhibitor" leads to a synergistic effect as evidenced by reduced tumor volume and increased survival that would not have been expected based on the cited references. See Hwang Declaration, ¶¶ 5-30.”, see Remarks submitted November 17, 2025, page 13, segment B. Applicant’s declaration and arguments have been carefully considered, but fail to persuade. As stated in the preceding paragraphs (paras.) are the reasons why the rejection does not fall. Furthermore, Nakao teaches active ingredients may be contained separately in different compositions, see page 2, sections 0036 and 0037. And Fishbein teaches an individual composition comprising hydroxyurea as an active ingredient for the treatment of a malignant disease, see entire document. It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to combine of teachings of Nakao and Fishbein to have three independent compositions comprising separately, each, the oncolytic virus, HU and ICI as active ingredients because both, Nakoa and Fishbein teach independent and separate pharmaceutically active ingredients may be in different compositions, see Nakoa, page 2, sections 0036 and 0037; and entire Fishbein reference. One of ordinary skill in the art would have been motivated to do so with a reasonable expectation of success by the teachings of all the references, as well as what is known in the art active agents in independent compositions ensure stability of the active agent, as well as limit premature interactions prior to point of administration. Hence, the rejection is maintained. Nakao teaches a cancer therapy with a combination of a genetically modified oncolytic vaccinia virus (VV) and an immune checkpoint inhibitor, page 1, sections 0006 and 0007; page 2, sections 0016, 0017, 0020, 0022, 0028, 0032, 0033, 0035, 0038 and 0039; and entire document. The VV implemented in the method can be defective in function of thymidine kinase (TK), see page 4, section 0057. Nakao teaches “…a method for treating cancer in a subject (for example, patient) in need thereof, comprising administering a pharmaceutical composition containing the vaccinia virus to be used in the present invention and an immune checkpoint inhibitor to the subject, wherein the cancer is, for example, solid cancer, for example but not limited to, a cancer selected from the group consisting of malignant melanoma, lung cancer, lung adenocarcinoma, small cell lung cancer, lung squamous cell carcinoma, kidney cancer, bladder cancer, head and neck cancer, breast cancer, esophagus cancer, glioblastoma, neuroblastoma, … ovarian cancer, colorectal cancer, pancreatic cancer, prostate cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma, … and stomach cancer.”, see page 10, sections 0152-0154, 0158, 0159 and 0162-0164. “In an embodiment, vaccinia viruses are administered, and then, the immune checkpoint inhibitor is administered.”, see page 10, section 0158. The vaccinia virus may be administered at a desired time interval, see page 10, section 0162; and page 12, lines 12-14. “[T]he vaccinia viruses…and the immune checkpoint inhibitor…are sequentially administered, they may be administered continuously or at a time interval.”, see page 10, sections 0158 and 0162; section 0186 spanning pages 11 and 12; and page 12, section 0188. The virus to be administered in combination may be at a dose of “a plaque formation unit (PFU) of about 102 to 1010 can be used.”, see page 10, section 0150. Nakoa does not teach a method for treating cancer comprising administering a first composition comprising an oncolytic virus as an active ingredient, a second composition comprising hydroxyurea as an active ingredient, and a third composition comprising an immune checkpoint inhibitor as an active ingredient is administered. Moreover, Nakoa does not teach administering hydroxyurea with the taught VV (having a deleted TK gene) and an immune checkpoint inhibitor. Nakoa does not teach the manner of administering the hydroxyurea, as well as the dosages limited in claims 14, 15, 17, 18, 20 and 21. However, Nakao teaches active ingredients may be contained separately in different compositions, see page 2, sections 0036 and 0037. Coffey teaches formulating compositions in unit dosage form and/or a single dose, see column 15. And Fishbein teaches an individual composition comprising hydroxyurea as an active ingredient for the treatment of a malignant disease, see entire document. It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to combine of teachings of Nakao and Fishbein to have three independent compositions comprising separately, each, the oncolytic virus, HU and ICI as active ingredients because Nakoa, Coffey and Fishbein teach independent and separate pharmaceutically active ingredients may be in different compositions, see Nakoa, page 2, sections 0036 and 0037; Coffey, column 15; and entire Fishbein reference. Coffey teaches treating neoplastic diseases with a modified VV in conjunction with or in addition to chemotherapeutic agents, such as hydroxyurea, see column 4, 1st paragraph (para.); column 7, lines 32-67; column 15, lines 11-27; and the para. bridging columns 15 and 16. Coffey teaches continuous infusion of the taught virus in controlled amounts via transdermal patches, as well as by intravenous injection, see column 10, lines 59-64; and column 14, lines 3-12. Moreover, Fishbein teaches administration of hydroxyurea (HU) to patients with malignant disease, see abstract; Table 1 on page 575; and the entire document. Daily dosages ranged from “…30 mg. per kilogram per day (range 15 to 66 mg. per kilogram per day)”, as well as in daily doses varying from 15 to 100 mg. per kilogram.”, see Table II on page 576; page 577, 1st column; page 578, 1st column; and paragraph bridging 578 and 579. It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to combine of teachings of Nakoa and Fishbein to treat cancer with the addition of hydroxyurea to the therapeutic combination of Nakoa at the desired times, routes of administration and dosages as stated in the claims, especially since Nakoa states “[t]he combination [various therapeutic agents may be non-immunotherapeutic drugs] use may include simultaneous administration, separate and continuous administration, separate administration at a desired time interval. In the case of simultaneous administration, the pharmaceutical composition of the present invention may be a combined preparation or a combination of separate preparations.”, see section 0186 bridging pages 11 and 12. One of ordinary skill in the art would have been motivated to do so with a reasonable expectation of success by the teachings of all references, Nakoa, Coffey and Fishbein to add an independent hydroxyurea composition to the medicines of Nakoa and administer each therapeutic agent as an active agent for treatment, see all references. Moreover, hydroxyurea has exhibited considerable and reproducible antitumor activity, as well as has been well tolerated over a wide dose range in patients with proliferative diseases, see both documents in their entireties; and especially Fishbein, pages 574 and 575. Conclusion 7. Applicant's amendment necessitated the new ground(s) of rejection presented in this Office action. Accordingly, THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL. See MPEP § 706.07(a). Applicant is reminded of the extension of time policy as set forth in 37 CFR 1.136(a). A shortened statutory period for reply to this final action is set to expire THREE MONTHS from the mailing date of this action. In the event a first reply is filed within TWO MONTHS of the mailing date of this final action and the advisory action is not mailed until after the end of the THREE-MONTH shortened statutory period, then the shortened statutory period will expire on the date the advisory action is mailed, and any nonprovisional extension fee (37 CFR 1.17(a)) pursuant to 37 CFR 1.136(a) will be calculated from the mailing date of the advisory action. In no event, however, will the statutory period for reply expire later than SIX MONTHS from the mailing date of this final action. 8. Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the Examiner should be directed to ALANA HARRIS DENT whose telephone number is (571)272-0831. The Examiner works a flexible schedule, however she can generally be reached on 8AM-8PM, Monday through Friday. Examiner interviews are available via telephone, in-person, and video conferencing using a USPTO supplied web-based collaboration tool. To schedule an interview, applicant is encouraged to use the USPTO Automated Interview Request (AIR) at http://www.uspto.gov/interviewpractice. If attempts to reach the Examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the Examiner’s supervisor, Julie Wu can be reached on 571-272-5205. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300. Information regarding the status of an application may be obtained from the Patent Application Information Retrieval (PAIR) system. Status information for published applications may be obtained from either Private PAIR or Public PAIR. Status information for unpublished applications is available through Private PAIR only. For more information about the PAIR system, see https://ppair-my.uspto.gov/pair/PrivatePair. Should you have questions on access to the Private PAIR system, contact the Electronic Business Center (EBC) at 866-217-9197 (toll-free). If you would like assistance from a USPTO Customer Service Representative or access to the automated information system, call 800-786-9199 (IN USA OR CANADA) or 571-272-1000. ALANA HARRIS DENT Primary Examiner Art Unit 1643 29 January 2026 /Alana Harris Dent/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 1643
Read full office action

Prosecution Timeline

Feb 24, 2022
Application Filed
Aug 16, 2025
Non-Final Rejection — §102, §103
Aug 23, 2025
Examiner Interview Summary
Aug 23, 2025
Applicant Interview (Telephonic)
Nov 17, 2025
Response Filed
Nov 17, 2025
Response after Non-Final Action
Feb 02, 2026
Final Rejection — §102, §103 (current)

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