Last updated: July 17, 2026

Application No. 18/545,176

Combination Treatment

Non-Final OA

Filed

Dec 19, 2023

Priority

Oct 15, 2015 — provisional 62/242,123 +6 more

Examiner

KELLY, ROBERT M

Art Unit

Tech Center

Assignee

Duke University

OA Round

1 (Non-Final)

Interview Optional

— +24.9% interview lift. Examiner has a relatively high allowance rate (74%); +24.9% interview lift. A written response may suffice.

Based on 923 resolved cases, 2023–2026

Examiner Intelligence

KELLY, ROBERT M View full profile →

Grants 74% — above average

Career Allowance Rate

680 granted / 923 resolved

+13.7% vs TC avg

Strong +25% interview lift

Without

With

+24.9%

Interview Lift

resolved cases with interview

Typical timeline

2y 10m

Avg Prosecution

55 currently pending

Career history

960

Total Applications

across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101

1.6%

-38.4% vs TC avg

§103

29.0%

-11.0% vs TC avg

§102

16.4%

-23.6% vs TC avg

§112

38.2%

-1.8% vs TC avg

Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 923 resolved cases

Prosecution Timeline

Dec 19, 2023

Application Filed

May 20, 2026

Non-Final Rejection mailed (current)

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

18/157,633

Patent 12673073

FASL-ENGINEERED BIOMATERIALS WITH IMMUNOMODULATORY FUNCTION

3y 5m to grant Granted Jul 07, 2026

18/267,340

Patent 12672644

MICE EXPRESSING HUMANIZED FC ALPHA RECEPTORS

3y 0m to grant Granted Jul 07, 2026

18/075,940

Patent 12642817

Nanoparticle Modification of Human Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells for Treating Brain Cancer and Other Neurological Diseases

3y 5m to grant Granted Jun 02, 2026

18/084,733

Patent 12644099

METHODS FOR MAKING T CELL COMPOSITIONS

3y 5m to grant Granted Jun 02, 2026

17/797,681

Patent 12637510

ONCOLYTIC VIRUS COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS FOR THE TREATMENT OF CANCER

3y 9m to grant Granted May 26, 2026

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

74%

Grant Probability

99%

With Interview (+24.9%)

2y 10m (~3m remaining)

Median Time to Grant

Low

PTA Risk

Based on 923 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.