Last updated: July 17, 2026

Application No. 18/294,123

METHOD FOR REDUCING ENDOTOXIN LEVELS IN NUCLEIC ACID PURIFICATION

Non-Final OA

Filed

Jan 31, 2024

Priority

Aug 05, 2021 — provisional 63/229,666 +1 more

Examiner

CHO, DAVID H

Art Unit

1693

Tech Center

1600 — Biotechnology & Organic Chemistry

Assignee

Merck Patent GmbH

OA Round

1 (Non-Final)

This examiner grants 38% of cases after interview

— +72.7% interview lift. A telephonic interview to clarify the technical implementation could significantly improve the outcome.

Based on 39 resolved cases, 2023–2026

Examiner Intelligence

CHO, DAVID H View full profile →

Grants only 38% of cases

Career Allowance Rate

15 granted / 39 resolved

-21.5% vs TC avg

Strong +73% interview lift

Without

With

+72.7%

Interview Lift

resolved cases with interview

Typical timeline

3y 4m

Avg Prosecution

45 currently pending

Career history

101

Total Applications

across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101

1.6%

-38.4% vs TC avg

§103

46.8%

+6.8% vs TC avg

§102

2.4%

-37.6% vs TC avg

§112

3.2%

-36.8% vs TC avg

Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 39 resolved cases

Prosecution Timeline

Jan 31, 2024

Application Filed

Apr 30, 2026

Non-Final Rejection mailed (current)

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

17/756,282

Patent 12617873

METHOD OF PURIFYING POLYSACCHARIDES

3y 11m to grant Granted May 05, 2026

17/631,680

Patent 12594297

Composition Comprising Hyaluronic Acid and Pluronic for Preventing or Treating Articular and Cartilage Injury

4y 2m to grant Granted Apr 07, 2026

17/616,554

Patent 12492219

PRODUCTION OF OLIGOSACCHARIDES FROM POLYSACCHARIDES

4y 0m to grant Granted Dec 09, 2025

17/772,530

Patent 12472280

MANUFACTURE OF PHOTO-CROSSLINKABLE BIODEGRADABLE TISSUE ADHESIVE USING COPOLYMER

3y 6m to grant Granted Nov 18, 2025

17/776,154

Patent 12428499

THIOL-MODIFIED HYALURONAN AND HYDROGEL COMPRISING THE CROSSLINKED HYALURONAN

3y 4m to grant Granted Sep 30, 2025

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

Strategy Recommendation AI-generated — please review before filing

Get a prosecution strategy drawn from examiner precedents, rejection analysis, and claim mapping.

Typically takes 5-10 seconds — AI-generated, attorney review required before filing

Prosecution Projections

1-2

Expected OA Rounds

38%

Grant Probability

99%

With Interview (+72.7%)

3y 4m (~11m remaining)

Median Time to Grant

Low

PTA Risk

Based on 39 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.