Last updated: July 17, 2026

Application No. 18/606,338

Methods of Using Donor-Derived Cell-Free DNA to Distinguish Acute Rejection and Other Conditions in Liver Transplant Recipients

Non-Final OA

Filed

Mar 15, 2024

Priority

Sep 16, 2021 — provisional 63/245,136 +1 more

Examiner

SWITZER, JULIET CAROLINE

Art Unit

Tech Center

Assignee

Northwestern University

OA Round

1 (Non-Final)

This examiner grants 42% of cases after interview

— +54.0% interview lift. A telephonic interview to clarify the technical implementation could significantly improve the outcome.

Based on 509 resolved cases, 2023–2026

Examiner Intelligence

SWITZER, JULIET CAROLINE View full profile →

Grants 42% of resolved cases

Career Allowance Rate

214 granted / 509 resolved

-18.0% vs TC avg

Strong +54% interview lift

Without

With

+54.0%

Interview Lift

resolved cases with interview

Typical timeline

3y 8m

Avg Prosecution

41 currently pending

Career history

554

Total Applications

across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101

7.0%

-33.0% vs TC avg

§103

36.8%

-3.2% vs TC avg

§102

10.5%

-29.5% vs TC avg

§112

25.8%

-14.2% vs TC avg

Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 509 resolved cases

Prosecution Timeline

Mar 15, 2024

Application Filed

May 11, 2026

Non-Final Rejection mailed (current)

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

17/906,032

Patent 12674209

COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS FOR THE SELECTIVE DETECTION OF TUMOR-DERIVED VIRAL DNA

3y 10m to grant Granted Jul 07, 2026

17/990,445

Patent 12674193

DNAZYME-BASED SENSOR FOR STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS

3y 7m to grant Granted Jul 07, 2026

17/904,910

Patent 12644156

METHODS FOR DIAGNOSING, PROGNOSING AND MANAGING TREATMENT OF BREAST CANCER

3y 9m to grant Granted Jun 02, 2026

18/262,812

Patent 12624399

P27 SINGLE-NUCLEOTIDE POLYMORPHISM T2871099G AS A PREDICTOR OF THE BENEFIT OF ENDOCRINE THERAPY ALONE OR IN COMBINATION WITH CDK INHIBITORS IN BREAST CANCER

2y 9m to grant Granted May 12, 2026

17/754,091

Patent 12584181

Detection of Mycobacterium species

4y 0m to grant Granted Mar 24, 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

42%

Grant Probability

96%

With Interview (+54.0%)

3y 8m (~1y 4m remaining)

Median Time to Grant

Low

PTA Risk

Based on 509 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.