Prosecution Insights
Last updated: August 14, 2026
Application No. 17/909,601

STABILIZATION OF COMPOUNDS AS CYCLODEXTRIN COMPLEXES

Non-Final OA §103§DOUBLEPATENT
Filed
Sep 06, 2022
Priority
Mar 19, 2020 — provisional 62/992,036 +1 more
Examiner
FAY, ZOHREH ALEMZADEH
Art Unit
1617
Tech Center
1600 — Biotechnology & Organic Chemistry
Assignee
University of Pittsburgh
OA Round
2 (Non-Final)
52%
Grant Probability
Moderate
2-3
OA Rounds
0m
Est. Remaining
46%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 52% of resolved cases
52%
Career Allowance Rate
582 granted / 1119 resolved
-8.0% vs TC avg
Minimal -6% lift
Without
With
+-6.2%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
3y 3m
Avg Prosecution
40 currently pending
Career history
1182
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
3.0%
-37.0% vs TC avg
§103
51.4%
+11.4% vs TC avg
§102
10.8%
-29.2% vs TC avg
§112
20.8%
-19.2% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 1119 resolved cases

Office Action

§103 §DOUBLEPATENT
Notice of Pre-AIA or AIA Status The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA . Claims 2-10, 12, 14, 16-18 and 39 are presented for examination. The amendments and remarks filed on 02/05/2026 have been received and entered. Claim(s) 2-10, 12, 14, 16-18 and 39 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Freeman (US 20150246059) in view of Szente et al. (Fatty Acid-Cyclodextrin Complexes: Properties and Applications) and further in view of Kadri et al. (submitted by the applicant). Freeman teaches the nitrated lipids and methods of making and using the nitrated lipids. See the abstract. The claimed compounds are taught in Para [0071]-[0087]. Freeman teaches that Parenteral administration of the composition, if used, is generally characterized by injection. Injectables can be prepared in conventional forms, either as liquid solutions or suspensions, solid forms suitable for solution of suspension in liquid prior to injection, or as emulsions. See Para [0107]. Freeman teaches that formulations for topical administration may include ointments, lotions, creams, gels, drops, suppositories, sprays, liquids and powders. Conventional pharmaceutical carriers, aqueous, powder or oily bases, thickeners and the like may be necessary or desirable. See Para [0114]. Freeman teaches that compositions for oral administration include powders or granules, suspensions or solutions in water or non-aqueous media, capsules, sachets, or tablets. Thickeners, flavorings, diluents, emulsifiers, dispersing aids or binders may be desirable See Para [0115]. Freeman teaches that in one aspect, the unsaturated lipid comprises oleic acid, linoleic acid, linolenic acid, arachidonic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid, or docosahexanoic acid. See Para [0098]. The use of 10-nitro-9-octadecenic acid (oleic acid) is taught in claim 83. Freeman differs from the claimed invention in the presence of cyclodextrin. Szente et al. teach that complexation of fatty acids (both saturated and unsaturated with various cyclodextrins and cyclodextrin derivatives greatly modifies their properties. Inclusion complex formation depending upon the type of host cyclodextrin may result in protection against the environment, in improved water solubility and bioavailability. Thus lipid complexation enables the preparation of more reliable diagnostic reagents, better chromatographic separations and higher yields in biotechnological processes. See the abstract. The use of beta-cyclodextrin is taught in the experiments, on page 4. Kadri et al. teach the increases stability of 2-chloroethylnitrososulfamides by addition of beta-cyclodextrin. See the abstract and conclusion. It would have been obvious to a person skilled in the art to add cyclodextrin to the composition of Freeman, motivated by the teachings of Szente, which teaches the inclusion of beta-cyclodextrin may result in protection against the environment, in improved water solubility and bioavailability of fatty acids. Kadri teaches the increased stability of compounds having a nitro group by addition of beta-cyclodextrin. Double Patenting Claims 2-10, 12, 14, 16-18 and 39 rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claim1-4 of U.S. Patent No. 10,869,850, claims 4-32 of U.S. Patent No. 10,751,310, claims 1-5 of the U.S. Patent No. 10,765,652, claims 17-20 of the U.S. Patent 8,309,526, claims 1-2 of the U.S. Patent 10,258,589 and claims 1-9 of U.S. Patent 8,735,449 in view of Szente et al. and Kadri et al. Szente et al. teach that complexation of fatty acids (both saturated and unsaturated with various cyclodextrins and cyclodextrin derivatives greatly modifies their properties. Inclusion complex formation depending upon the type of host cyclodextrin may result in protection against the environment, in improved water solubility and bioavailability. Thus lipid complexation enables the preparation of more reliable diagnostic reagents, better chromatographic separations and higher yields in biotechnological processes. See the abstract. The use of beta-cyclodextrin is taught in the experiments, on page 4. Kadri et al. teach the increased stability of compounds having a nitro group with beta-cyclodextrin. Response to Arguments Applicant’s arguments have been noted. Applicant in his response argues that “Nitro-containing compounds, particularly nitrated fatty acids (NO2-FAs), are extremely unstable in aqueous environments. NO2-FAs are fundamentally different from conventional fatty acids or drugs previously complexed with cyclodextrins. NO2-FAs contain a highly reactive nitroalkene moiety, which imparts distinctive chemical reactivity and extreme instability in aqueous environments. Unlike typical solubilization challenges addressed by prior art, the nitroalkene group undergoes rapid Michael addition with nucleophiles (e.g., thiols, amines), reversible covalent adduction to proteins, and water and pH- dependent hydration processes. These reactions result in degradation and inactivation, rendering NO2-FAs unsuitable for pharmaceutical applications unless stabilized.” The examiner has relied on Kadri to show the increased stability of nitro compounds by the addition of beta-cyclodextrin. Therefore, the advantage applicant refers to in Figs 7A-7C is the expected property of Kadri et al. Applicant's submission of an information disclosure statement under 37 CFR 1.97(c) with the timing fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.17(p) on 02/05/2026 prompted the new ground(s) of rejection presented in this Office action. Accordingly, THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL. See MPEP § 609.04(b). 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. Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to ZOHREH A FAY whose telephone number is (703)756-1800. The examiner can normally be reached Monday-Friday 9:30AM-6:00. 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, Sue Liu can be reached at 571-272-5539 The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300. Information regarding the status of published or unpublished applications may be obtained from Patent Center. Unpublished application information in Patent Center is available to registered users. To file and manage patent submissions in Patent Center, visit: https://patentcenter.uspto.gov. Visit https://www.uspto.gov/patents/apply/patent-center for more information about Patent Center and https://www.uspto.gov/patents/docx for information about filing in DOCX format. For additional questions, contact the Electronic Business Center (EBC) at 866-217-9197 (toll-free). If you would like assistance from a USPTO Customer Service Representative, call 800-786-9199 (IN USA OR CANADA) or 571-272-1000. /ZOHREH A FAY/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 1617
Read full office action

Prosecution Timeline

Sep 06, 2022
Application Filed
Sep 06, 2022
Response after Non-Final Action
Sep 12, 2025
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §103, §DOUBLEPATENT
Dec 12, 2025
Response Filed
Mar 12, 2026
Final Rejection mailed — §103, §DOUBLEPATENT
Jun 23, 2026
Response after Non-Final Action

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

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INSTRUCTIONS FOR COMPOSITION AND SENSITIVITY
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Study what changed to get past this examiner. Based on 5 most recent grants.

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Prosecution Projections

2-3
Expected OA Rounds
52%
Grant Probability
46%
With Interview (-6.2%)
3y 3m (~0m remaining)
Median Time to Grant
Moderate
PTA Risk
Based on 1119 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.

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