Prosecution Insights
Last updated: April 19, 2026
Application No. 18/552,417

PEPTIDES AND ENGINEERED T CELL RECEPTORS TARGETING SARS-COV-2 ANTIGENS AND METHODS OF USE

Non-Final OA §101§102§112
Filed
Sep 25, 2023
Examiner
AEDER, SEAN E
Art Unit
1642
Tech Center
1600 — Biotechnology & Organic Chemistry
Assignee
Yee Cassian Dr
OA Round
1 (Non-Final)
57%
Grant Probability
Moderate
1-2
OA Rounds
3y 2m
To Grant
76%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 57% of resolved cases
57%
Career Allow Rate
793 granted / 1395 resolved
-3.2% vs TC avg
Strong +20% interview lift
Without
With
+19.5%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
3y 2m
Avg Prosecution
81 currently pending
Career history
1476
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
13.8%
-26.2% vs TC avg
§103
25.4%
-14.6% vs TC avg
§102
20.2%
-19.8% vs TC avg
§112
24.5%
-15.5% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 1395 resolved cases

Office Action

§101 §102 §112
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. Claims 336-359 are pending and currently under consideration. Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 112 The following is a quotation of the first paragraph of 35 U.S.C. 112(a): (a) IN GENERAL.—The specification shall contain a written description of the invention, and of the manner and process of making and using it, in such full, clear, concise, and exact terms as to enable any person skilled in the art to which it pertains, or with which it is most nearly connected, to make and use the same, and shall set forth the best mode contemplated by the inventor or joint inventor of carrying out the invention. The following is a quotation of the first paragraph of pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112: The specification shall contain a written description of the invention, and of the manner and process of making and using it, in such full, clear, concise, and exact terms as to enable any person skilled in the art to which it pertains, or with which it is most nearly connected, to make and use the same, and shall set forth the best mode contemplated by the inventor of carrying out his invention. Claims 336-357 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(a) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA), first paragraph, as failing to comply with the written description requirement. The claim(s) contains subject matter which was not described in the specification in such a way as to reasonably convey to one skilled in the relevant art that the inventor or a joint inventor, or for pre-AIA the inventor(s), at the time the application was filed, had possession of the claimed invention. In the instant case, the claims are inclusive of a genus of TCRs comprising TCR-a and TCR-b polypeptides comprising as little as 80% homology to a single CDR . H owever, the written description in this case only adequately sets forth the following six TCRs encompassed by the claims: A TCR comprising a TCR-a polypeptide and a TCR-b polypeptide wherein the TCR-a polypeptide comprises the CDRs set-forth as SEQ ID NOs: 5-7 and the TCR-b polypeptide comprises the CDRs set-forth as SEQ ID NOs: 19-21; A TCR comprising a TCR-a polypeptide and a TCR-b polypeptide wherein the TCR-a polypeptide comprises the CDRs set-forth as SEQ ID NOs: 12-14 and the TCR-b polypeptide comprises the CDRs set-forth as SEQ ID NOs: 19-21; A TCR comprising a TCR-a polypeptide and a TCR-b polypeptide wherein the TCR-a polypeptide comprises the CDRs set-forth as SEQ ID NOs: 90-92 and the TCR-b polypeptide comprises the CDRs set-forth as SEQ ID NOs: 97-99; A TCR comprising a TCR-a polypeptide and a TCR-b polypeptide wherein the TCR-a polypeptide comprises the CDRs set-forth as SEQ ID NOs: 104-106 and the TCR-b polypeptide comprises the CDRs set-forth as SEQ ID NOs: 111-113; A TCR comprising a TCR-a polypeptide and a TCR-b polypeptide wherein the TCR-a polypeptide comprises the CDRs set-forth as SEQ ID NOs: 118-120 and the TCR-b polypeptide comprises the CDRs set-forth as SEQ ID NOs: 125-127; and A TCR comprising a TCR-a polypeptide and a TCR-b polypeptide wherein the TCR-a polypeptide comprises the CDRs set-forth as SEQ ID NOs: 132-134 and the TCR-b polypeptide comprises the CDRs set-forth as SEQ ID NOs: 139-141. The specification does not disclose, and the art does not teach, the genus as broadly encompassed in the claims. The skilled artisan recognizes that, in general, alpha and beta chains (TCR-a and TCR-b polypeptides) comprising six distinct CDR sequences are required to create the TCR peptide-MHC binding site . In particular, the art teaches there is a bias where the TCR CDR3s are predominately involved in peptide binding, and the TCR CDR1 and CDR2 regions are predominately involved in MHC binding, although it should be noted that this bias is not absolute (Manning et al., Immunity, 1998, 8:413-425, specifically page 423, see conclusions). Further, the prior art provides the skilled artisan with insufficient guidance or direction as to which particular amino acid residues in a given CDR are required for MHC or peptide binding, or which CDR residues are required to bring about the canonical diagonal interaction of the TCR with peptide-bound MHC, see, e.g., Garcia et al., Cell, 2005, 122: 333-336, specially page 333, right column, paragraphs 1-3; page 336, col. bridging paragraph through right column, paragraph 1 and Figure 1. Indeed, one hypothesis in the art is that the CDR1 and 2 interactions with the MHC are dependent on the CDR3 interaction with the peptide bound to the MHC, and, if so, "there may be as many TCR/ pMHC orientations as CDR3 sequences” (Garcia et al., page 336, column bridging paragraph). The TCR interacts with two ligands simultaneously, i.e., the peptide and the MHC, and as described above there is considerable uncertainty in the art about which residues depend on which for these interactions. The instant specification provides no teachings whatsoever and the prior art does not teach as to how the skilled artisan is to go about preparing or envisioning the structural features of the claimed genus of TCRs that can bind to a given peptide:MHC complex starting from as little as 80% sequence homology to a single CDR. A description of a genus may be achieved by means of a recitation of a representative number of species falling within the scope of the genus or by describing structural features common to that genus that “constitute a substantial portion of the genus.” See University of California v. Eli Lilly and Co. , 119 F.3d 1559, 1568, 43 USPQ2d 1398, 1406 (Fed. Cir. 1997): “A description of a genus of cDNAs may be achieved by means of a recitation of a representative number of cDNA, defined by nucleotide sequence, falling within the scope of the genus or of a recitation of structural features common to the members of the genus, which features constitute a substantial portion of the genus.” The inventions at issue in Lilly were DNA constructs per se , the holdings of that case is also applicable to claims such as those at issue here. In regards to claims to a product defined by function, without a correlation between structure and function, the claim does little more than define the claimed invention by function. That is not sufficient to satisfy the written description requirement. See Eli Lilly, 119 at1568 USPQ2d at 1406 (“definition by function…does not suffice to define the genus because it is only an indication of what the gene does, rather than what it is”). The instant specification fails to provide sufficient descriptive information, such as definitive structural features that are common to the genus. That is, the specification provides neither a representative number of TCRs that encompass the genus nor does it provide a description of structural features that are common to the genus so that one of skill in the art can ‘visualize or recognize’ the members of the genus. “[A] sufficient description of a genus . . . requires the disclosure of either a representative number of species falling within the scope of the genus or structural features common to the members of the genus so that one of skill in the art can ‘visualize or recognize’ the members of the genus.” Ariad , 598 F.3d at 1350 (quoting Eli Lilly , 119 F.3d at 1568-69). A “representative number of species” means that those species that are adequately described are representative of the entire genus. AbbVie Deutschland GMBH v. Janssen Biotech , 111 USPQ2d 1780, 1790 (Fed. Cir. 2014) (“The ’128 and ’485 patents, however, only describe species of structurally similar antibodies that were derived from Joe-9. Although the number of the described species appears high quantitatively, the described species are all of the similar type and do not qualitatively represent other types of antibodies encompassed by the genus.”). Thus, when there is substantial variation within the genus, one must describe a sufficient variety of species to reflect the variation within the genus to provide a "representative number” of species. Further, in view of Amgen v. Sanofi, 872 F.3d 1367 (Fed. Cir. 2017) and the Office’s February 2018 memo clarifying written description guidance for claims drawn to antibodies, the 2008 Written Description Training Materials are outdated and should not be relied upon as reflecting the current state of law regarding 35 U.S.C. 112. Further, a “newly characterized antigen” test flouts basic legal principles of the written description requirement ( Amgen v. Sanofi, 872 F.3d 1367 (Fed. Cir. 2017)). Adequate written description of a newly characterized antigen alone is not considered adequate written description of a claimed antibody to that newly characterized antigen. Where an antibody binds to an antigen tells one nothing about the structure of any other antibody. Also, see the Board’s decision in Appeal 2017-010877 (claims to “A monoclonal antibody that binds a conformational epitope formed by amino acids 42-66 of SEQ ID NO:1”). The “ claims merely recite a description of the problem to be solved while claiming all solutions to it and . . . cover any compound later actually invented and determined to fall within the claim’s functional boundaries— leaving it to the pharmaceutical industry to complete an unfinished invention.” Ariad Pharmaceuticals, Inc. v. EliLilly and Co., 598 F.3d 1336, 1353 (Fed. Cir. 2010). Since the disclosure fails to describe common attributes or characteristics that adequately identify members of the genus, and because the genus is highly variant, the disclosure is insufficient to describe the genus. Thus, one of skill in the art would reasonably conclude that the disclosure fails to provide a representative number of species to describe the genus as broadly claimed. Vas-Cath Inc. v. Mahurkar , 19USPQ2d 1111, clearly states “applicant must convey with reasonable clarity to those skilled in the art that, as of the filing date sought, he or she was in possession of the invention . The invention is, for purposes of the ‘written description’ inquiry, whatever is now claimed. ” (See page 1117.) The specification does not “clearly allow persons of ordinary skill in the art to recognize that [he or she] invented what is claimed.” (See Vas-Cath at page 1116). As discussed above, even though Applicant may propose methods of screening for possible members of the genus, the skilled artisan cannot envision the detailed chemical structure of the encompassed genus, and therefore conception is not achieved until reduction to practice has occurred, regardless of the complexity or simplicity of the method of isolation. Adequate written description requires more than a mere statement that it is part of the invention and reference to a potential method of isolation. The compound itself is required. See Fiers v. Revel , 25 USPQ2d 1601 at 1606 (CAFC 1993) and Amgen Inc. v. Chugai Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. , 18 USPQ2d 1016. See Ariad , 94 USPQ2d at 1161; Centocor at 1876 (“The fact that a fully-human antibody could be made does not suffice to show that the inventors of the '775 patent possessed such an antibody.”) One cannot describe what one has not conceived. See Fiddes v. Baird , 30 USPQ2d 1481 at 1483. In Fiddes , claims directed to mammalian FGF’s were found to be unpatentable due to lack of written description for that broad class. The specification provided only the bovine sequence. Applicant is reminded that Vas-Cath makes clear that the written description provision of 35 U.S.C. §112 is severable from its enablement provision (see page 1115). Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 112 Claims 336-357 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(a) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA), first paragraph, because the specification, while being enabling for making the six TCRs listed below, does not reasonably provide enablement for making the genus of TCRs encompassed by the claims. The specification does not enable any person skilled in the art to which it pertains, or with which it is most nearly connected, to make the invention commensurate in scope with these claims. Factors to be considered in determining whether undue experimentation is required are summarized in Ex parte Forman, 230 USPQ 546 (BPAI 1986). They include the nature of the invention, the state of the prior art, the relative skill of those in the art, the amount of direction or guidance disclosed in the specification, the presence or absence of working examples, the predictability or unpredictability of the art, the breadth of the claims, and the quantity of experimentation which would be required in order to practice the invention as claimed. The instant claims are drawn to a genus of CDRs comprising as little as one CDR having 80% homology to a recited sequence. This includes a broad genus of TCRs that are not adequately described . This invention is in a class of invention which the CAFC has characterized as "the unpredictable arts such as chemistry and biology". Mycogen Plant Sci., Inc. v. Monsanto Co., 243 F.3d 1316, 1330 (Fed. Cir. 2001). The specification discloses: A TCR comprising a TCR-a polypeptide and a TCR-b polypeptide wherein the TCR-a polypeptide comprises the CDRs set-forth as SEQ ID NOs: 5-7 and the TCR-b polypeptide comprises the CDRs set-forth as SEQ ID NOs: 19-21; A TCR comprising a TCR-a polypeptide and a TCR-b polypeptide wherein the TCR-a polypeptide comprises the CDRs set-forth as SEQ ID NOs: 12-14 and the TCR-b polypeptide comprises the CDRs set-forth as SEQ ID NOs: 19-21; A TCR comprising a TCR-a polypeptide and a TCR-b polypeptide wherein the TCR-a polypeptide comprises the CDRs set-forth as SEQ ID NOs: 90-92 and the TCR-b polypeptide comprises the CDRs set-forth as SEQ ID NOs: 97-99; A TCR comprising a TCR-a polypeptide and a TCR-b polypeptide wherein the TCR-a polypeptide comprises the CDRs set-forth as SEQ ID NOs: 104-106 and the TCR-b polypeptide comprises the CDRs set-forth as SEQ ID NOs: 111-113; A TCR comprising a TCR-a polypeptide and a TCR-b polypeptide wherein the TCR-a polypeptide comprises the CDRs set-forth as SEQ ID NOs: 118-120 and the TCR-b polypeptide comprises the CDRs set-forth as SEQ ID NOs: 125-127; and A TCR comprising a TCR-a polypeptide and a TCR-b polypeptide wherein the TCR-a polypeptide comprises the CDRs set-forth as SEQ ID NOs: 132-134 and the TCR-b polypeptide comprises the CDRs set-forth as SEQ ID NOs: 139-141. The specification does not adequately describe the broad genus of TCRs encompassed by the claims. One cannot extrapolate the teachings of the specification to the scope of the claims because the claims are broadly drawn to a broad genus of TCRs that are not adequately described, and Applicant has not enabled the claims because undue experimentation would be required to identify and make the genus of TCRs encompassed by the claims . Further, similar to claims at issue in Amgen Inc. v Sanofi, the instant specification does not enable the full scope of the claims. In view of the teachings above and the lack of guidance, workable examples and or exemplification in the specification, it would require undue experimentation by one of skill in the art to determine with any predictability, that the method would function as claimed. 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) 358-359 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102 (a)(1) as being anticipated by Nielsen et al (WO 2004/110349 A2; 12/23/2004) . Nielsen et al teaches SEQ ID NO:192 (page 24, in particular), which is a peptide 100% identical to instant SEQ ID NO: 22. Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 101 35 U.S.C. 101 reads as follows: Whoever invents or discovers any new and useful process, machine, manufacture, or composition of matter, or any new and useful improvement thereof, may obtain a patent therefor, subject to the conditions and requirements of this title. Claim s 336 , 346 , 358, and 359 rejected under 35 U.S.C. 101 because the claimed invention is directed to judicial exception(s) (i.e., a law of nature, a natural phenomenon, and/or an abstract idea) without significantly more. The rationale for this determination is explained below: Claims 336, 346, 358, and 359 are directed to natural phenomenon because the claims recite natural phenomenon (“Step 2A prong one”) and the judicial exception(s) is/are not integrated into a practical application (“Step 2A prong two”). The “natural phenomenon” is: naturally- occurring TCRs and polypeptides found in nature . Yelensky et al (WO 2024/227034 A1; 10/31/2024 ; large document available at Google Patents ) teaches a natural TCR -b with a CDR3 comprising SEQ ID NO: 699 (page 2226), which is 80.9% identical to instant SEQ ID NO:21. Nielsen et al (WO 2004/110349 A2; 12/23/2004) teaches SEQ ID NO:192, which is 100% identical to instant SEQ ID NO:22, as a naturally-occurring SARS polypeptide epitope (page 24, in particular). Further, the instant specification acknowledges instant SEQ ID NOs:22-38 are coronavirus polypeptides ([0085], in particular). The claim(s) does/do not include additional elements that are sufficient to amount to significantly more than the judicial exception(s). A claim that focuses on judicial exception(s) can be shown to recite something “significantly more” than the judicial exception(s) by reciting a meaningful limitation beyond the judicial exceptions . However, in the instant case, the claims are drawn to products that are not markedly different than those found in nature (“Step 2B”). Conclusion Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to FILLIN "Examiner name" \* MERGEFORMAT SEAN E AEDER whose telephone number is FILLIN "Phone number" \* MERGEFORMAT (571)272-8787 . The examiner can normally be reached FILLIN "Work Schedule?" \* MERGEFORMAT M-F 9am-6pm ET . 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, FILLIN "SPE Name?" \* MERGEFORMAT Samira Jean-Louis can be reached at FILLIN "SPE Phone?" \* MERGEFORMAT (571)270-3503 . 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. /SEAN E AEDER/ Primary Examiner, Art Unit 1642
Read full office action

Prosecution Timeline

Sep 25, 2023
Application Filed
Feb 25, 2026
Non-Final Rejection — §101, §102, §112 (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

1-2
Expected OA Rounds
57%
Grant Probability
76%
With Interview (+19.5%)
3y 2m
Median Time to Grant
Low
PTA Risk
Based on 1395 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allow rate.

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