Last updated: April 19, 2026

Application No. 17/820,005

NOVEL 3' END CAPS, 5' END CAPS AND COMBINATIONS THEREOF FOR THERAPEUTIC RNA

Non-Final OA

Filed

Aug 16, 2022

Examiner

VANHORN, ABIGAIL LOUISE

Art Unit

1636

Tech Center

1600 — Biotechnology & Organic Chemistry

Assignee

Novartis AG

OA Round

1 (Non-Final)

This examiner grants 47% of cases after interview

— +21.9% interview lift. A telephonic interview to clarify the technical implementation could significantly improve the outcome.

Based on 1191 resolved cases, 2023–2026

Examiner Intelligence

VANHORN, ABIGAIL LOUISE View full profile →

Grants 47% of resolved cases

Career Allow Rate

557 granted / 1191 resolved

-13.2% vs TC avg

Strong +22% interview lift

Without

With

+21.9%

Interview Lift

resolved cases with interview

Typical timeline

3y 7m

Avg Prosecution

78 currently pending

Career history

1269

Total Applications

across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101

1.1%

-38.9% vs TC avg

§103

42.6%

+2.6% vs TC avg

§102

9.9%

-30.1% vs TC avg

§112

23.1%

-16.9% vs TC avg

Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 1191 resolved cases

Prosecution Timeline

Aug 16, 2022

Application Filed

Oct 30, 2025

Non-Final Rejection (current)

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

17/591,485

Patent 12600972

LIPOPOLYSACCHARIDE (LPS) APTAMERS AND ASSOCIATED METHODS

2y 5m to grant Granted Apr 14, 2026

15/769,710

Patent 12582609

CANCER VACCINES

2y 5m to grant Granted Mar 24, 2026

17/365,361

Patent 12577271

MODIFIED NUCLEOTIDES AND USES THEREOF

2y 5m to grant Granted Mar 17, 2026

17/884,187

Patent 12553081

METHODS AND CONTROL COMPOSITIONS FOR A QUANTITATIVE POLYMERASE CHAIN REACTION

2y 5m to grant Granted Feb 17, 2026

17/595,584

Patent 12540323

NUCLEIC ACID, PHARMACEUTICAL COMPOSITION, CONJUGATE, PREPARATION METHOD, AND USE

2y 5m to grant Granted Feb 03, 2026

Study what changed to get past this examiner. Based on 5 most recent grants.

AI Strategy Recommendation

Get an AI-powered prosecution strategy using examiner precedents, rejection analysis, and claim mapping.

Prosecution Projections

1-2

Expected OA Rounds

47%

Grant Probability

69%

With Interview (+21.9%)

3y 7m

Median Time to Grant

Low

PTA Risk

Based on 1191 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allow rate.