Prosecution Insights
Last updated: April 19, 2026
Application No. 18/385,005

COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS FOR TREATING TRANSTHYRETIN (TTR) MEDIATED AMYLOIDOSIS

Non-Final OA §102§103§112§DP
Filed
Oct 30, 2023
Examiner
MCKILLOP, JOHN CHARLES
Art Unit
1637
Tech Center
1600 — Biotechnology & Organic Chemistry
Assignee
Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
OA Round
1 (Non-Final)
52%
Grant Probability
Moderate
1-2
OA Rounds
3y 10m
To Grant
99%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 52% of resolved cases
52%
Career Allow Rate
22 granted / 42 resolved
-7.6% vs TC avg
Strong +46% interview lift
Without
With
+46.4%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
3y 10m
Avg Prosecution
35 currently pending
Career history
77
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
4.2%
-35.8% vs TC avg
§103
39.4%
-0.6% vs TC avg
§102
17.3%
-22.7% vs TC avg
§112
26.2%
-13.8% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 42 resolved cases

Office Action

§102 §103 §112 §DP
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. Application Status Claims 1-6, 8-11, 13, 16-19, 21, 22, 27, 29, and 30 are pending. Examination on the merits commences on claims 1-6, 8-11, 13, 16-19, 21, 22, 27, 29, and 30 . Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 112(b) The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112(b): (b) CONCLUSION.—The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor regards as the invention. The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA), second paragraph: The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the applicant regards as his invention. Claims 1-6, 8-11, 13, 16-19, 21, 22, 27, 29, and 30 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA), second paragraph, as being indefinite for failing to particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor (or for applications subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, the applicant), regards as the invention. Claim 1 recites “in Table 1B” and claim 22 recites “in Table X” which renders the claim reading upon said recitation indefinite. Incorporation by reference to a specific figure or table "is permitted only in exceptional circumstances where there is no practical way to define the invention in words and where it is more concise to incorporate by reference than duplicating a drawing or table into the claim. In the instant case, the elements recited in the tables could be recited in the claim(s). Claims 2-6, 8-11, 13, 16-19, 21, 22, 27, 29, and 30 are also rejected under 35 USC 112 (b) by virtue of their dependency on claim 1 without remedying the indefiniteness. Claim 18 recites, “The method of claim 34…”, however there is no such claim thus “the premedications ” lacks antecedent basis. Give, the metes and bounds of the claim are unclear the claim is indefinite. Examiner suggests altering the dependency of the claim to depend from claim 17. Claim 21 recites, “The method of claim 36…”, however there is no such claim thus “the tetramer stabilizer” lacks antecedent basis. Give, the metes and bounds of the claim are unclear the claim is indefinite. Examiner suggests altering the dependency of the claim to depend from claim 19. Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102 The following is a quotation of the appropriate paragraphs of 35 U.S.C. 102 that form the basis for the rejections under this section made in this Office action: A person shall be entitled to a patent unless – (a)(1) the claimed invention was patented, described in a printed publication, or in public use, on sale, or otherwise available to the public before the effective filing date of the claimed invention. Claim(s) 1-6, 8-11, 13, 16-19, 22, 27, 29, and 30 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102 (a)(1) as being anticipated by FDA ( FDA_Patisiran spec sheet, file:///C:/Users/jmckillop/OneDrive%20-%20US%20Patent%20and%20Trademark%20Office/Documents/005/NPL_FDA_Patisiran.pdf, printed as pages 1/1 to 14/14, 8/2018, retrieved 3/17/26). Regarding claim 1, FDA teaches the drug patisiran (also known as ONPATTRO) contains a transthyretin-directed small interfering RNA and is indicated for the treatment of the polyneuropathy of hereditary transthyretin-mediated amyloidosis in adults ( pg 1). FDA ( pg 8) teaches ONPATTRO ( patisiran ) is described as follows: a double-stranded small interfering ribonucleic acid (siRNA), formulated as a lipid complex for delivery to hepatocytes. Patisiran specifically binds to a genetically conserved sequence in the 3’ untranslated region (3’UTR) of mutant and wild-type transthyretin (TTR) messenger RNA (mRNA). The structural formula is: A, adenosine; C, cytidine; G, guanosine; U, uridine; Cm, 2’-O-methylcytidine; Um, 2’-O-methyluridine; dT, thymidine ONPATTRO is supplied as a sterile, preservative-free, white to off-white, opalescent, homogeneous solution for intravenous infusion in a single-dose glass vial. Each 1 mL of solution contains 2 mg of patisiran (equivalent 2.1 mg of patisiran sodium). Each 1 mL also contains 6.2 mg cholesterol USP, 13.0 mg (6Z,9Z,28Z,31Z)-heptatriaconta-6,9,28,31 tetraen-19-yl-4-( dimethylamino ) butanoate (DLin-MC3-DMA ), 3.3 mg 1,2-distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DSPC) , 1.6 mg α-(3’-{[1,2-di( myristyloxy ) propanoxy ] carbonylamino }propyl)-ω-methoxy, polyoxyethylene (PEG2000 C-DMG), 0.2 mg potassium phosphate monobasic anhydrous NF, 8.8 mg sodium chloride USP , 2.3 mg sodium phosphate dibasic heptahydrate USP , and Water for Injection USP . The pH is ~7.0. The molecular formula of patisiran sodium is C412 H480 N148 Na40 O290 P40 and the molecular weight is 14304 Da. FDA teaches patisiran ( pg 8): Regarding claim 2 and 3, FDA teaches For patients weighing less than 100 kg, the recommended dosage is 0.3 mg/kg every 3 weeks by intravenous infusion. For patients weighing 100 kg or more, the recommended dosage is 30 mg (page 1). Regarding claims 4-6, 8-11, and 30, the claim recitation(s) “ wherein the method reduces progression of left ventricle chamber dysfunction. ”, “ wherein the method prevents reduction in left ventricular capacitance. ”, “wherein the method results in an improvement or stabilization of isovolumetric pressure-volume (PV) area”, “ wherein the isovolumetric PV area is indexed to a left ventricular (LV) end-diastolic pressure of 30 mmHg (PVA SO 30). ”, “ wherein a change of the isovolumetric PV area compared to a baseline as determined before administration of the patisiran drug product is stabilized as compared to administration of a placebo. ”, “ wherein the change from the baseline of PVA iSO 30 is less than 1500… ”, and “ wherein the change from the baseline of PVA SO 30 is less than 2500, less than 2000, less than 1500, less than 1200… ” and “ wherein the baseline is an average. ”, this claim scope does not require steps to be performed and does not limit a claim to a particular structure. A “wherein” clause in a method claim is not given weight when it simply expresses the intended result of a process step positively recited. See MPEP 2111.04. Regarding claim 13, herein the patient is administered the patisiran drug product for 18 months ( pg 5). Regarding claims 16-18, FDA teaches premedications given 60 minutes before patisiran injections which include Intravenous corticosteroid (e.g., dexamethasone 10 mg, or equivalent, oral acetaminophen (500 mg), intravenous H1 blocker (e.g., diphenhydramine 50 mg, or equivalent), intravenous H2 blocker (e.g., ranitidine 50 mg, or equivalent) ( pg 2). Examiner is interpreting claim 18 as depending from claim 16 and not claim 34 which does not exist. Regarding claim 19, FDA teaches supplementation at the recommended daily allowance of vitamin A for patients taking ONPATTRO. (page 4). Regarding claim 22, FDA teaches the patient is male (page 5). Regarding claim 27, FDA teaches subjects receiving patisiran receive medical management ( pg 4). Examiner interprets this as the composition is delivered by medical professionals. Regarding claim 29, FA teaches wherein administration is performed over 80 minutes. Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103 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. Claim(s) 1 and 21 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over FDA (FDA, FDA_Patisiran spec sheet, file:///C:/Users/jmckillop/OneDrive%20-%20US%20Patent%20and%20Trademark%20Office/Documents/005/NPL_FDA_Patisiran.pdf, printed as pages 1/1 to 14/14, 8/2018, retrieved 3/17/26) as applied to claim 1, and in view of Bettencourt (Bettencourt , B., US-20170307608-A1 ). Examiner is interpreting claim 21 as depending from claim 19 and not claim 36 which does not exist. The teachings of FDA as applied above for claim 1 are incorporated here. FDA does not teach administration of patisiran with tafamidis . Bettencourt teaches methods for reducing or arresting an increase in a Neuropathy Impairment Score (NIS) or a modified NIS (mNIS+7) in a human subject by administering an effective amount of a transthyretin (TTR)-inhibiting composition (abstract) such as the drug patisiran to treat hereditary transthyretin-mediated amyloidosis ( hATTR ) (claim 1) . Bettencourt further teaches co-administration of patisiran with tafamidis for enhanced treatment (claim 14). It would have been obvious to one skilled in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have modified applied tafamidis co-therapy within FDA’s method of treating hATTR . It would have merely amounted to a simple combination of prior art elements according to known methods to yield predictable results. The skilled artisan would have had a reasonable expectation that the combination of the tetramer stabilizer tafamidis when administered with patisiran would enhance the treatment method because Bettencourt discloses effective co-therapy of tafamidis with patisiran to treat hATTR . The skilled artisan would therefore be motivated to combine these therapies to enhance overall treatment effectiveness. Double Patenting The nonstatutory double patenting rejection is based on a judicially created doctrine grounded in public policy (a policy reflected in the statute) so as to prevent the unjustified or improper timewise extension of the “right to exclude” granted by a patent and to prevent possible harassment by multiple assignees. A nonstatutory double patenting rejection is appropriate where the conflicting claims are not identical, but at least one examined application claim is not patentably distinct from the reference claim(s) because the examined application claim is either anticipated by, or would have been obvious over, the reference claim(s). See, e.g., In re Berg , 140 F.3d 1428, 46 USPQ2d 1226 (Fed. Cir. 1998); In re Goodman , 11 F.3d 1046, 29 USPQ2d 2010 (Fed. Cir. 1993); In re Longi , 759 F.2d 887, 225 USPQ 645 (Fed. Cir. 1985); In re Van Ornum , 686 F.2d 937, 214 USPQ 761 (CCPA 1982); In re Vogel , 422 F.2d 438, 164 USPQ 619 (CCPA 1970); In re Thorington , 418 F.2d 528, 163 USPQ 644 (CCPA 1969). A timely filed terminal disclaimer in compliance with 37 CFR 1.321(c) or 1.321(d) may be used to overcome an actual or provisional rejection based on nonstatutory double patenting provided the reference application or patent either is shown to be commonly owned with the examined application, or claims an invention made as a result of activities undertaken within the scope of a joint research agreement. See MPEP § 717.02 for applications subject to examination under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA as explained in MPEP § 2159. See MPEP § 2146 et seq. for applications not subject to examination under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA. A terminal disclaimer must be signed in compliance with 37 CFR 1.321(b). The filing of a terminal disclaimer by itself is not a complete reply to a nonstatutory double patenting (NSDP) rejection. A complete reply requires that the terminal disclaimer be accompanied by a reply requesting reconsideration of the prior Office action. Even where the NSDP rejection is provisional the reply must be complete. See MPEP § 804, subsection I.B.1. For a reply to a non-final Office action, see 37 CFR 1.111(a). For a reply to final Office action, see 37 CFR 1.113(c). A request for reconsideration while not provided for in 37 CFR 1.113(c) may be filed after final for consideration. See MPEP §§ 706.07(e) and 714.13. The USPTO Internet website contains terminal disclaimer forms which may be used. Please visit www.uspto.gov/patent/patents-forms. The actual filing date of the application in which the form is filed determines what form (e.g., PTO/SB/25, PTO/SB/26, PTO/AIA/25, or PTO/AIA/26) should be used. A web-based eTerminal Disclaimer may be filled out completely online using web-screens. An eTerminal Disclaimer that meets all requirements is auto-processed and approved immediately upon submission. For more information about eTerminal Disclaimers, refer to www.uspto.gov/patents/apply/applying-online/eterminal-disclaimer . Claim 1-6, 8-11, 13, 16-19, 21, 22, 27, 29, and 30 are rejected on the grounds of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over Claims 1-27 of patent No. US11806360B2. Although the claims at issue are not identical, they are not patentably distinct from each other because the co-pending claims anticipate the instant claims. Regarding instant claims, the reference claims teach: 1. A method of treating cardiomyopathy in a human patient with transthyretin-mediated amyloidosis (TTR amyloidosis), the method comprising administering to the patient a patisiran drug product, wherein the patisiran drug product comprises an siRNA which consists of a sense strand comprising the nucleotide sequence 5′-GuAAccAAGAGuAuuccAudTdT-3′ and an antisense strand comprising the nucleotide sequence 5′-AUGGAAuACUCUUGGUuACdTdT-3′, wherein A is adenosine, C is cytidine, G is guanosine, U is uridine, a is 2′-O-methyladenosine, c is 2′-O-methylcytidine, g is 2′-O-methylguanosine, u is 2′-O-methyluridine and dT is 2′-deoxythymidine, wherein the siRNA is formulated in a composition comprising (6Z, 9Z, 28Z, 31Z)-heptatriaconta-6, 9, 28, 31-tetraen-19-yl-4-( dimethylamino ) butanoate (DLin-MC3-DMA), 1,2-distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DSPC), cholesterol, and α-(3′-{[1,2-di( myristyloxy ) propanoxy ] carbonylamino }propyl)-ω-methoxy, polyoxyethylene (PEG2000-C-DMG), wherein the patisiran drug product is administered intravenously once every 3 weeks at a dose of 0.3 mg siRNA per kg body weight, and the method results in stabilization or improvement of a serum NT- proBNP concentration and/or a left ventricle (LV) strain and/or a LV wall thickness compared to baseline as determined before administration of the patisiran drug product. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the TTR amyloidosis is with cardiomyopathy and polyneuropathy, and wherein the patisiran drug product is administered intravenously once every 3 weeks, wherein the method results in a decrease in the modified Neuropathy Impairment Score (mNIS+7) composite neurological impairment score from baseline as determined at 18 months, wherein baseline is the mNIS+7 score of the patient before administration of the patisiran drug product. 3. A method for stabilizing or improving a serum NT- proBNP concentration and/or a left ventricle (LV) strain and/or a LV wall thickness in a human patient having transthyretin-mediated amyloidosis (TTR amyloidosis) with cardiomyopathy, the method comprising administering to the patient a patisiran drug product, wherein the patisiran drug product comprises an siRNA which consists of a sense strand comprising the nucleotide sequence 5′-GuAAccAAGAGuAuuccAudTdT-3′ and an antisense strand comprising the nucleotide sequence 5′-AUGGAAuACUCUUGGUuACdTdT-3′, wherein A is adenosine, C is cytidine, G is guanosine, U is uridine, a is 2′-O-methyladenosine, c is 2′-O-methylcytidine, g is 2′-O-methylguanosine, u is 2′-O-methyluridine and dT is 2′-deoxythymidine, wherein the siRNA is formulated in a composition comprising (6Z, 9Z, 28Z, 31Z)-heptatriaconta-6, 9, 28, 31-tetraen-19-yl-4-( dimethylamino ) butanoate (DLin-MC3-DMA), 1,2-distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DSPC), cholesterol, and α-(3′-{[1,2-di( myristyloxy ) propanoxy ] carbonylamino }propyl)-ω-methoxy, polyoxyethylene (PEG2000-C-DMG), wherein the patisiran drug product is administered intravenously once every 3 weeks at a dose of 0.3 mg siRNA per kg body weight, and wherein the method results in stabilization or improvement of the serum NT- proBNP concentration and/or the left ventricle (LV) strain and/or the LV wall thickness, respectively, compared to baseline as determined before administration of the patisiran drug product. 4. The method of claim 2, wherein the change from baseline of the mNIS+7 score is −6.0 points. 5. The method of claim 2, wherein the decrease from baseline of mNIS+7 score is also determined at 9 months. 6. The method of claim 2, wherein the method results in an improvement over baseline in one or more neuropathy related clinical endpoints selected from the group consisting of a. a Norfolk Quality of Life Questionnaire-Diabetic Neuropathy (QOL-DN); and b. a NIS-W; and c. a Rasch-built Overall Disability Scale (R-ODS); and d. a 10-meter walk test (10-MWT); and e. a modified body mass index ( mBMI ); and f. a COMPASS-31 score. 7. The method of claim 6, wherein the method results in an improvement in all of the neuropathy related clinical endpoints. 8. The method of claim 6, wherein the method results in an improvement in a Norfolk Quality of Life Questionnaire-Diabetic Neuropathy (QOL-DN) and a COMPASS-31 score and a 10-meter walk test. 9. The method of claim 6, wherein the method results in a serum percent TTR concentration reduction in the patient compared to baseline as determined before administration of the patisiran drug product. 10. The method of claim 2, wherein the method results in stabilization or regression of a FAP stage in the patient compared to baseline as determined before administration of the patisiran drug product. 11. The method of claim 2, wherein the method results in stabilization or regression of a PND score compared to baseline as determined before administration of the patisiran drug product. 12. The method of claim 2, wherein the method results in a decrease in an intra epidermal nerve fiber density in a skin biopsy compared to baseline as determined before administration of the patisiran drug product. 13. The method of claim 2, wherein the patient is administered the patisiran drug product for at least 12 months, 18 months, 24 months, 30 months, or 36 months. 14. The method of claim 3, wherein the patient is in need of treatment for transthyretin-mediated amyloidosis (TTR amyloidosis) with cardiomyopathy and the method results in an improvement or a stabilization of a cardiac marker and/or an echocardiogram parameter compared to baseline as determined before administration of the patisiran drug product. 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the cardiac marker is a serum NT- proBNP concentration and the echocardiogram parameter is a left ventricle (LV) strain or a LV wall thickness. 16. The method of claim 1, further comprising administering to the patient the following premedications : dexamethasone, oral paracetamol/acetaminophen, diphenhydramine, and ranitidine. 17. The method of claim 1, further comprising administering to the patient the following premedications : a. IV dexamethasone 10 mg, or equivalent; and b. oral paracetamol/acetaminophen 500 mg, or equivalent; and c. IV histamine H1 receptor antagonist (H1 blocker): diphenhydramine 50 mg, or equivalent other IV H1 blocker or hydroxyzine 25 mg or fexofenadine 30 or 60 mg PO or cetirizine 10 mg PO; and d. IV histamine H2 receptor antagonist (H2 blocker): ranitidine 50 mg or famotidine 20 mg, or equivalent other H2 blocker dose. 18. The method of claim 16, wherein the premedications are administered approximately one hour prior to each patisiran drug product administration. 19. The method of claim 1, further comprising administering to the patient an oral daily dose of the USDA recommended daily allowance of vitamin A. 20. The method of claim 1, further comprising administering a tetramer stabilizer, wherein the tetramer stabilizer is tafamidis or diflunisal. 21. The method of claim 1, wherein the patient a. is Caucasian; and/or b. lives in North America; and/or c. is 65 years old or older; and/or d. is male; and/or e. has FAP Stage I; and/or f. has FAP Stage II; and/or g. has a baseline mNIS+7 score between 8 and 165; and/or h. has a Val30 Met TTR mutation; and/or i . has one or more TTR mutations found in Table X; and/or j. has echocardiographic evidence of cardiac amyloid involvement; and/or k. has a history of prior long term TTR tetramer stabilizer use. 22. The method of claim 1, wherein administration is performed over 80 minutes. 23. The method of claim 1, wherein baseline is an average. 24. The method of claim 1, wherein the siRNA is formulated in a composition comprising 13.0 mg/mL of (6Z, 9Z, 28Z, 31Z)-heptatriaconta-6, 9, 28, 31-tetraen-19-yl-4-( dimethylamino ) butanoate (DLin-MC3-DMA), 3.3 mg/mL of 1,2-distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DSPC), 6.2 mg/mL of cholesterol, and 1.6 mg/mL of α-(3′-{[1,2-di( myristyloxy ) propanoxy ] carbonylamino }propyl)-ω-methoxy, polyoxyethylene (PEG2000-C-DMG). 25. The method of claim 3, wherein the siRNA is formulated in a composition comprising 13.0 mg/mL of (6Z, 9Z, 28Z, 31Z)-heptatriaconta-6, 9, 28, 31-tetraen-19-yl-4-( dimethylamino ) butanoate (DLin-MC3-DMA), 3.3 mg/mL of 1,2-distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DSPC), 6.2 mg/mL of cholesterol, and 1.6 mg/mL of α-(3′-{[1,2-di( myristyloxy ) propanoxy ] carbonylamino }propyl)-ω-methoxy, polyoxyethylene (PEG2000-C-DMG). 26. The method of claim 1, wherein the TTR amyloidosis is a hereditary TTR amyloidosis. 27. The method of claim 3, wherein the TTR amyloidosis is a hereditary TTR amyloidosis. Claim 1-6, 8-11, 13, 16-19, 21, 22, 27, 29, and 30 are rejected on the grounds of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over Claims 1-11 of patent No. US10060921B2. Although the claims at issue are not identical, they are not patentably distinct from each other because the co-pending claims anticipate the instant claims. Regarding instant claims, the reference claims teach: 1. A method of treating polyneuropathy in a patient with hereditary transthyretin-mediated amyloidosis ( hATTR ) , the method comprising administering a dose of patisiran with a formulation as described in Table 1 to the patient, wherein the dose is 0.3 mg siRNA per kg body weight, and the patisiran is administered via IV infusion once every three weeks, and the patient receives a premedication before infusion to reduce the risk of infusion-related reactions, whereby the method reduces a Neuropathy Impairment Score (NIS) or a modified NIS (mNIS+7) or arrests an increase in a NIS or a mNIS+7 in the patient. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the patient receives the premedication on the evening before and the day of infusion. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the premedication comprises dexamethasone, acetaminophen, diphenhydramine, and ranitidine. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the premedication comprises dexamethasone, acetaminophen, cetirizine, and ranitidine. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the premedication comprises dexamethasone, paracetamol (acetaminophen), an H2 blocker and an H1 blocker. 6. The method of claim 5, wherein the H2 blocker is ranitidine or famotidine. 7. The method of claim 5, wherein the H1 blocker is cetirizine, hydroxyzine or fexofenadine. 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the patisiran is administered via a 70 minute infusion of 1 mL/min for 15 minutes followed by 3 mL/min for 55 minutes. 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the patisiran is administered via a 70 minute infusion of 1 mL/min for 15 minutes followed by 3 mL/min for 55 minutes and the premedication comprises dexamethasone, paracetamol (acetaminophen), an H2 blocker and an H1 blocker. 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the patient has cardiomyopathy. 11. The method of claim 1, wherein the patient does not have cardiomyopathy. Conclusion All claims are rejected. Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to JOHN CHARLES MCKILLOP whose telephone number is (703)756-1089. The examiner can normally be reached Mon-Fri 8:30-5:30. 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, Jennifer Dunston can be reached on (571) 272-2916. 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. /JOHN CHARLES MCKILLOP/ Examiner, Art Unit 1637 /EKATERINA POLIAKOVA-GEORGANTAS/ Primary Examiner, Art Unit 1637
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Prosecution Timeline

Oct 30, 2023
Application Filed
Mar 17, 2026
Non-Final Rejection — §102, §103, §112 (current)

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Prosecution Projections

1-2
Expected OA Rounds
52%
Grant Probability
99%
With Interview (+46.4%)
3y 10m
Median Time to Grant
Low
PTA Risk
Based on 42 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allow rate.

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