Prosecution Insights
Last updated: October 04, 2026
Application No. 18/167,529

METHODS OF USING INTERLEUKIN-2 AGENTS

Non-Final OA §103
Filed
Feb 10, 2023
Priority
Feb 11, 2022 — provisional 63/309,293
Examiner
CHATTIN, AMY MARIE
Art Unit
1643
Tech Center
1600 — Biotechnology & Organic Chemistry
Assignee
Visterra Inc.
OA Round
3 (Non-Final)
74%
Grant Probability
Favorable
3-4
OA Rounds
1m
Est. Remaining
99%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 74% — above average
74%
Career Allowance Rate
39 granted / 53 resolved
+13.6% vs TC avg
Strong +44% interview lift
Without
With
+44.0%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
3y 9m
Avg Prosecution
37 currently pending
Career history
88
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
2.9%
-37.1% vs TC avg
§103
35.1%
-4.9% vs TC avg
§102
17.8%
-22.2% vs TC avg
§112
31.3%
-8.7% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 53 resolved cases

Office Action

§103
DETAILED ACTION 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 . Continued Examination Under 37 CFR 1.114 A request for continued examination under 37 CFR 1.114, including the fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.17(e), was filed in this application after final rejection. Since this application is eligible for continued examination under 37 CFR 1.114, and the fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.17(e) has been timely paid, the finality of the previous Office action has been withdrawn pursuant to 37 CFR 1.114. Applicant's submission filed on 05Jul2026 has been entered. Claims Status Claim(s) 1-19 is/are currently pending and presented for examination on the merits. Response to Amendment All of the previously presented rejection(s) and objection(s) are maintained for reasons given in the "Response to Arguments" below. Applicant' s amendments and arguments have been thoroughly reviewed, but are not persuasive to place the claims in condition for allowance for the reasons that follow. Rejections Maintained Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103 In the event the determination of the status of the application as subject to AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103 (or as subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103) is incorrect, any correction of the statutory basis (i.e., changing from AIA to pre-AIA ) for the rejection will not be considered a new ground of rejection if the prior art relied upon, and the rationale supporting the rejection, would be the same under either status. 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. The factual inquiries for establishing a background for determining obviousness under 35 U.S.C. 103 are summarized as follows: 1. Determining the scope and contents of the prior art. 2. Ascertaining the differences between the prior art and the claims at issue. 3. Resolving the level of ordinary skill in the pertinent art. 4. Considering objective evidence present in the application indicating obviousness or nonobviousness. This application currently names joint inventors. In considering patentability of the claims the examiner presumes that the subject matter of the various claims was commonly owned as of the effective filing date of the claimed invention(s) absent any evidence to the contrary. Applicant is advised of the obligation under 37 CFR 1.56 to point out the inventor and effective filing dates of each claim that was not commonly owned as of the effective filing date of the later invention in order for the examiner to consider the applicability of 35 U.S.C. 102(b)(2)(C) for any potential 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2) prior art against the later invention. Claim(s) 1-19 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over by US 2021/0024601 A1 (hereinafter “US601”). Regarding instant claims 1-3, 6, US601 teaches a method for the treatment of an autoimmune disease (e.g., autoimmune hepatitis, SLE) comprising administering to a subject an IL2 agent or a pharmaceutical composition comprising the IL-2 or IL2 variant fusion protein comprising amino acid substitutions H16N, V69A, AND Q74P [e.g., ¶ 0110-0111, 0235, 0236, 0673-0674]. US601 teaches the subject is a human [e.g., ¶ 0660-0661]. US601 further teaches the IL2 variant fusion protein of the human IL2 sequence comprising SEQ ID NO: 1, which is the same as instant human IL2 SEQ ID NO: 1 (see alignment below) [e.g., ¶ 0200, 0343, 0347]. US601 teaches IL2-Fc fusion protein administration embodiments including, but not limited to: a “non-limiting” dose range of .1-30 mg/kg (e.g., 0.1 mg/kg = 100 μg/kg) [e.g., ¶ 0617]; weekly 100 ug/kg low dose [e.g., ¶ ]; and/or 50 ug/kg low dose [e.g., ¶ 0834]. US601 further teaches the IL2 fusion protein comprises amino acid substitutions including H16L, V69A, Q74P, and C125S [e.g., ¶ 0110, 0112, 0114]. Alignment of instant human IL2 of SEQ ID NO: 1 with US601 (Human mature IL-2 variant protein, SEQ ID 1): Query Match 100.0%; Score 675; Length 133; Best Local Similarity 100.0%; Matches 133; Conservative 0; Mismatches 0; Indels 0; Gaps 0; Qy 1 APTSSSTKKTQLQLEHLLLDLQMILNGINNYKNPKLTRMLTFKFYMPKKATELKHLQCLE 60 |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| Db 1 APTSSSTKKTQLQLEHLLLDLQMILNGINNYKNPKLTRMLTFKFYMPKKATELKHLQCLE 60 Qy 61 EELKPLEEVLNLAQSKNFHLRPRDLISNINVIVLELKGSETTFMCEYADETATIVEFLNR 120 |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| Db 61 EELKPLEEVLNLAQSKNFHLRPRDLISNINVIVLELKGSETTFMCEYADETATIVEFLNR 120 Qy 121 WITFSQSIISTLT 133 ||||||||||||| Db 121 WITFSQSIISTLT 133 Regarding instant claim 4, US601 teaches the IL2 fusion protein is administered once a week [e.g., para 0678]. Regarding instant claim 5, US601 further teaches the IL2 fusion protein may be administered subcutaneously [e.g., para 0611]. Regarding instant claim 7, US601 further teaches the IL2 variant further comprises the amino acid substitution T3A [e.g., para 0182]. Regarding instant claims 8, 18, US601 teaches IL2 variants comprising any of SEQ ID NOs: 5 or 1001, which match instant claimed IL2 SEQ ID NOs: 5 or 1001 (see alignments below) [e.g., para 0391, 0393]. Alignment of IL2 variant instant SEQ ID NO: 5 with US601 (Human mature IL-2 variant protein, SEQ ID 5): Query Match 100.0%; Score 673; Length 133; Best Local Similarity 100.0%; Matches 133; Conservative 0; Mismatches 0; Indels 0; Gaps 0; Qy 1 APTSSSTKKTQLQLELLLLDLQMILNGINNYKNPKLTRMLTFKFYMPKKATELKHLQCLE 60 |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| Db 1 APTSSSTKKTQLQLELLLLDLQMILNGINNYKNPKLTRMLTFKFYMPKKATELKHLQCLE 60 Qy 61 EELKPLEEALNLAPSKNFHLRPRDLISNINVIVLELKGSETTFMCEYADETATIVEFLNR 120 |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| Db 61 EELKPLEEALNLAPSKNFHLRPRDLISNINVIVLELKGSETTFMCEYADETATIVEFLNR 120 Qy 121 WITFSQSIISTLT 133 ||||||||||||| Db 121 WITFSQSIISTLT 133 Alignment of IL2 variant instant SEQ ID NO: 1001 with US601 (Human mature IL-2 variant protein, SEQ ID 1001): Query Match 100.0%; Score 672; Length 133; Best Local Similarity 100.0%; Matches 133; Conservative 0; Mismatches 0; Indels 0; Gaps 0; Qy 1 APASSSTKKTQLQLELLLLDLQMILNGINNYKNPKLTRMLTFKFYMPKKATELKHLQCLE 60 |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| Db 1 APASSSTKKTQLQLELLLLDLQMILNGINNYKNPKLTRMLTFKFYMPKKATELKHLQCLE 60 Qy 61 EELKPLEEALNLAPSKNFHLRPRDLISNINVIVLELKGSETTFMCEYADETATIVEFLNR 120 |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| Db 61 EELKPLEEALNLAPSKNFHLRPRDLISNINVIVLELKGSETTFMCEYADETATIVEFLNR 120 Qy 121 WITFSQSIISTLT 133 ||||||||||||| Db 121 WITFSQSIISTLT 133 Regarding instant claims 9-10, US601 further teaches the IL2 variant fusion proteins comprising an Fc region [e.g., ¶ 0202-0204, 0242, 0506]. Regarding instant claims 11, US601 further teaches the FC region is an IgG1 allotype m3 comprising an N297G substitution according to EU numbering [e.g., ¶ 202, 209-210]. Regarding instant claim 12, US601 further teaches the Fc region comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1006, which is the same as instant Fc region of SEQ ID NO: 1003 (see alignment below) [e.g., ¶ 0213, 0215, 0259, 0593]. Alignment of instant Fc region SEQ ID NOL: 1003 with US601 (Human mature IL-2 variant-linker-human IgG1 fusion protein, SEQ ID 1006) Query Match 100.0%; Score 1233; Length 380; Best Local Similarity 100.0%; Matches 227; Conservative 0; Mismatches 0; Indels 0; Gaps 0; Qy 1 DKTHTCPPCPAPELLGGPSVFLFPPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVDVSHEDPEVKFNWYVD 60 |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| Db 154 DKTHTCPPCPAPELLGGPSVFLFPPKPKDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVDVSHEDPEVKFNWYVD 213 Qy 61 GVEVHNAKTKPREEQYGSTYRVVSVLTVLHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKALPAPIEKTISKAK 120 |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| Db 214 GVEVHNAKTKPREEQYGSTYRVVSVLTVLHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKALPAPIEKTISKAK 273 Qy 121 GQPREPQVYTLPPSREEMTKNQVSLTCLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPPVLDS 180 |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| Db 274 GQPREPQVYTLPPSREEMTKNQVSLTCLVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPPVLDS 333 Qy 181 DGSFFLYSKLTVDKSRWQQGNVFSCSVMHEALHNHYTQKSLSLSPGK 227 ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| Db 334 DGSFFLYSKLTVDKSRWQQGNVFSCSVMHEALHNHYTQKSLSLSPGK 380 Regarding instant claims 13-15, US601 further teaches the IL2 fusion protein comprises from the N-terminus to C-terminus an IL2 variant and an FC region, or an IL2 variant, a linker, and an Fc region [e.g., para 0506]. US601 further teaches the linker is a (G4S)4 linker (SEQ ID NO: 48), which is the same as instant SEQ ID NO 48 [e.g., pg. 68, para 0722, “59.”, “61.”]. CLUSTAL O(1.2.4) multiple sequence alignment 790_Seq48 GGGGSGGGGSGGGGSGGGGS 20 US601_Seq48 GGGGSGGGGSGGGGSGGGGS 20 ******************** Regarding instant claims 16, 19, US601 further teaches the fusion protein comprises an amino acid sequence from any of SEQ ID NOs: 1005, or 1008 which are the same as instant claimed IL2 fusion protein SEQ ID NOs: 1005 or 1008 (see alignments below) [e.g., para ]. Alignment of instant IL2 fusion protein SEQ ID NO: 1005 with US601 (Human mature IL-2 variant-linker-human IgG1 fusion protein, SEQ ID 1005): Query Match 100.0%; Score 2017; Length 380; Best Local Similarity 100.0%; Matches 380; Conservative 0; Mismatches 0; Indels 0; Gaps 0; Qy 1 APASSSTKKTQLQLELLLLDLQMILNGINNYKNPKLTRMLTFKFYMPKKATELKHLQCLE 60 |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| Db 1 APASSSTKKTQLQLELLLLDLQMILNGINNYKNPKLTRMLTFKFYMPKKATELKHLQCLE 60 Qy 61 EELKPLEEALNLAPSKNFHLRPRDLISNINVIVLELKGSETTFMCEYADETATIVEFLNR 120 |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| Db 61 EELKPLEEALNLAPSKNFHLRPRDLISNINVIVLELKGSETTFMCEYADETATIVEFLNR 120 Qy 121 WITFSQSIISTLTGGGGSGGGGSGGGGSGGGGSDKTHTCPPCPAPELLGGPSVFLFPPKP 180 |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| Db 121 WITFSQSIISTLTGGGGSGGGGSGGGGSGGGGSDKTHTCPPCPAPELLGGPSVFLFPPKP 180 Qy 181 KDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVDVSHEDPEVKFNWYVDGVEVHNAKTKPREEQYGSTYRVVSVLT 240 |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| Db 181 KDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVDVSHEDPEVKFNWYVDGVEVHNAKTKPREEQYGSTYRVVSVLT 240 Qy 241 VLHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKALPAPIEKTISKAKGQPREPQVYTLPPSREEMTKNQVSLTC 300 |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| Db 241 VLHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKALPAPIEKTISKAKGQPREPQVYTLPPSREEMTKNQVSLTC 300 Qy 301 LVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPPVLDSDGSFFLYSKLTVDKSRWQQGNVFSCSV 360 |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| Db 301 LVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPPVLDSDGSFFLYSKLTVDKSRWQQGNVFSCSV 360 Qy 361 MHEALHNHYTQKSLSLSPGK 380 |||||||||||||||||||| Db 361 MHEALHNHYTQKSLSLSPGK 380 Alignment of instant IL2 fusion protein SEQ ID NO: 1008 with US601 (Human mature IL-2 variant-linker-human IgG1 fusion protein, SEQ ID 1008): Query Match 100.0%; Score 2018; Length 380; Best Local Similarity 100.0%; Matches 380; Conservative 0; Mismatches 0; Indels 0; Gaps 0; Qy 1 APTSSSTKKTQLQLELLLLDLQMILNGINNYKNPKLTRMLTFKFYMPKKATELKHLQCLE 60 |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| Db 1 APTSSSTKKTQLQLELLLLDLQMILNGINNYKNPKLTRMLTFKFYMPKKATELKHLQCLE 60 Qy 61 EELKPLEEALNLAPSKNFHLRPRDLISNINVIVLELKGSETTFMCEYADETATIVEFLNR 120 |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| Db 61 EELKPLEEALNLAPSKNFHLRPRDLISNINVIVLELKGSETTFMCEYADETATIVEFLNR 120 Qy 121 WITFSQSIISTLTGGGGSGGGGSGGGGSGGGGSDKTHTCPPCPAPELLGGPSVFLFPPKP 180 |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| Db 121 WITFSQSIISTLTGGGGSGGGGSGGGGSGGGGSDKTHTCPPCPAPELLGGPSVFLFPPKP 180 Qy 181 KDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVDVSHEDPEVKFNWYVDGVEVHNAKTKPREEQYGSTYRVVSVLT 240 |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| Db 181 KDTLMISRTPEVTCVVVDVSHEDPEVKFNWYVDGVEVHNAKTKPREEQYGSTYRVVSVLT 240 Qy 241 VLHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKALPAPIEKTISKAKGQPREPQVYTLPPSREEMTKNQVSLTC 300 |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| Db 241 VLHQDWLNGKEYKCKVSNKALPAPIEKTISKAKGQPREPQVYTLPPSREEMTKNQVSLTC 300 Qy 301 LVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPPVLDSDGSFFLYSKLTVDKSRWQQGNVFSCSV 360 |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| Db 301 LVKGFYPSDIAVEWESNGQPENNYKTTPPVLDSDGSFFLYSKLTVDKSRWQQGNVFSCSV 360 Qy 361 MHEALHNHYTQKSLSLSPGK 380 |||||||||||||||||||| Db 361 MHEALHNHYTQKSLSLSPGK 380 Regarding instant claim 17, US601 further teaches the IL2 fusion protein forms a dimer [e.g., para 0227; fig. 1A]. US601 does not expressly teach that the IL2 agent is administered at a dose of 1 μg/kg to treat autoimmune disease (AID). It would be obvious through routine optimization to modify the method of treating autoimmune disease comprised of administering any one of the doses taught by US601 (e.g., 50 ug/kg) of an IL-2 agent, wherein the IL2 agent comprises one of SEQ ID NO: 5 (same as instant SEQ ID NO: 5); SEQ ID NO: 1001 (same as instant SEQ ID NO: 1001); SEQ ID NO: 1006 (same as instant SEQ ID NO: 1006); SEQ ID NO: 48 (same as instant SEQ ID NO: 48); SEQ ID NO: 1005 (same as instant SEQ ID NO: 1005); or SEQ ID NO: 1008 (same as instant SEQ ID NO: 1008), as taught by US601, to administering 1 ug/kg dose of an IL2 agent to treat autoimmune disease. Further, In regard to the specific dosage and interval amounts recited in the instant claim(s) "[w]here the general conditions of a claim are disclosed in the prior art, it is not inventive to discover the optimum or workable ranges by routine experimentation." In re Aller, 220 F.2d 454, 456, 105 USPQ 233, 235 (CCPA 1955), and see M.P.E.P. § 2144.05 II.A. Moreover, it is well settled that "discovery of an optimum value of a result effective variable in a known process is ordinarily within the skill of the art." In re Boesch, 617 F.2d 272,276, 205 USPQ 215, 219 (CCPA 1980). See also Merck & Co. v. Biocraft Labs. Inc., 874 F.2d 804,809, 10 USPQ2d 1843, 1847-48 (Fed. Cir. 1989). This is because, as is made clear from the prior art, the determination of the dosage regimen of a known drug is well within the purview of one of ordinary skill in the art at the time the invention was made, and it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art at the time Applicants' invention was made to determine all operable and optimal intervals of treatment because optimal intervals is an art-recognized result-effective variable which would have been routinely determined and optimized in the pharmaceutical art. Therefore, it would be conventional and within the skill of the art to identify the optimal dosages administered and optimal intervals to achieve target levels and therapeutically effective doses. Further, it has been held that where the general conditions of a claim are disclosed in the prior art, discovering the optimum or workable ranges involves only routine skill in the art. It is clear that both the prior art and claimed method perform the same protocol to achieve the same results. It would be conventional and within the skill of the art to determine the optimal treatment regimens. Accordingly, one can see that the courts, over a period of over 50 years, have consistently held that treatment (i.e. dosage and intervals) optimization is obvious. Thus, the invention as a whole is prima facie obvious over the references, especially in the absence of evidence to the contrary. Response to Arguments Applicant argues: Amended claim 1 is directed to a method of treating an autoimmune disease comprising administering one or more doses, each ranging from 1 ug/kg to 30 ug/kg of an IL2 agent comprising amino acid substitutions H16L, V69A, and Q74P. The recited method cannot be obvious because the claimed dose range is (I) ‘beyond mere dose optimization of the prior art’ because (a) the inventors ‘unexpectedly identified the minimally active biological level as 1 ug/kg in humans based on PK/PD modeling; (b) this is 100-fold lower than the lowest dose disclosed in US601 which teaches a board range; and (c) the instant application states that “the maximum dose does not exceed 100 ug/kg”. Accordingly the instant claimed dose range is not mere dose optimization. (II) No reasonable expectation of success for treating an autoimmune disease with repeated, low doses. states MPEP 2144.05 requires and explanation of why it would be obvious for routine optimization to arrive and the claimed invention and why a person of ordinary skill in the art would have a reasonable expectation of success to formulate the claimed range. Thus, the reasonable expectation of success must be established separated, which the office has failed to do. (III) Repeats previous arguments regarding US554 teaches a low dose should be followed by a higher dose, thus, a POSA would not have reasonable expectation of success in using repeated low doses, and would have expected that higher dose administration is required for efficacy. Accordingly a POSA would have had no motivation to lower the dose of the recited IL2 agent and no reasonable expectation of success. In response to (I), points (a-b), US601 as applied in the new rejection teaches the method of claim 1, identical IL2 agents to those claimed, and a “non-limiting” dose including 0.1 mg/kg in paragraph 0617 (0.1 mg/kg = 100 ug/kg), suggesting that other doses not expressly listed may be used in the disclosed method could be obvious (see rejection above for details). It is noted that 100 ug/kg dose or 50 ug/kg dose as taught by US601 is 100-fold (2 orders of magnitude) or 50-fold (within an order of magnitude), respectively, greater than the bottom range of the instant claimed 1-30 ug/kg dose range; and roughly 3.3-fold greater or 1.67-fold greater, respectively, than the instant claimed 30 ug/kg top range. Further, as discussed in the rejection above, dose optimization and intervals (e.g., frequency of administration) are considered routine optimization in the art and therefore the amended dose range (e.g., 1-30 ug/kg) and any dosing intervals (e.g., one or more) thereof are considered obvious (see rejection above for details). In response to (I), point (c), the instant specification pg. 4, line 36 teaches the IL2 agent is administered at a dose of 0.5 to 300 ug/kg (e.g., greater than 100 ug/kg). PNG media_image1.png 143 626 media_image1.png Greyscale In response to (II), briefly, dose optimization and intervals (e.g., frequency of administration) are considered routine optimization in the art, and have consistently been held obvious by the courts, and therefore the amended dose range (e.g., 1-30 ug/kg) and any dosing intervals (e.g., one or more time, weekly, etc.) thereof are considered obvious (see rejection above for details). Further, there is no evidence that dose optimization becomes something other than an ordinary practice outside of a certain fold of known in the art doses, and/or dose ranges. The instant claimed dose ranges, particularly at the top end, are considered to be within normal dose optimization. Discovery of the lowest biologically active dose is not considered beyond ‘mere dose optimization’ on its face, because it is common practice in the art to optimize dosing, including low doses. There is nothing in the art that teaches away from optimization doses to find the lowest effective (e.g., biologically active) dose for a given therapeutic agent. The method of designing dose optimization (e.g., PK/PD modeling) studies does not make a routine process (e.g., dose optimization) no longer routine within the art. In response to (III), instant claim 1 requires “one or more doses” and therefore does not require more than one single low dose administration but rather only requires one dose (see rejection above for details). Additionally, as indicated in previous responses to arguments, US601 teaches repeated low dose administration. Further still, the instant invention “comprises” low dose administration and therefore does not prohibit high dose administration thereafter (see rejection above for details). Applicant arguments have been thoroughly reviewed but are not persuasive. The rejection(s) of claim(s) 1-19 are maintained. Conclusion No claims are currently allowed. 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. Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to AMY M CHATTIN whose telephone number is (571)270-0646. The examiner can normally be reached T-F 0600-1600 PST. 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 at (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 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. /AMY M. CHATTIN/Examiner, Art Unit 1643 /JULIE WU/Supervisory Patent Examiner, Art Unit 1643
Read full office action

Prosecution Timeline

Feb 10, 2023
Application Filed
Aug 25, 2025
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §103
Nov 25, 2025
Response Filed
Feb 05, 2026
Final Rejection mailed — §103
May 05, 2026
Response after Non-Final Action
Jun 05, 2026
Request for Continued Examination
Jun 08, 2026
Response after Non-Final Action
Jul 17, 2026
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §103 (current)

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

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Prosecution Projections

3-4
Expected OA Rounds
74%
Grant Probability
99%
With Interview (+44.0%)
3y 9m (~1m remaining)
Median Time to Grant
High
PTA Risk
Based on 53 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.

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