Prosecution Insights
Last updated: July 17, 2026
Application No. 18/651,707

APPLICATION OF HIGHER ALIPHATIC ALCOHOL IN INHIBITING SENESCENCE AND INCREASING SHELF LIFE OF SOLANACEAE PLANTS

Non-Final OA §101§112
Filed
May 01, 2024
Priority
Nov 04, 2021 — continuation of PCTCN2021128771
Examiner
CONIGLIO, AUDREA JUNE BUCKLEY
Art Unit
1617
Tech Center
1600 — Biotechnology & Organic Chemistry
Assignee
ZHUHAI RUNNONG SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
OA Round
1 (Non-Final)
53%
Grant Probability
Moderate
1-2
OA Rounds
1y 0m
Est. Remaining
74%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 53% of resolved cases
53%
Career Allowance Rate
448 granted / 848 resolved
-7.2% vs TC avg
Strong +21% interview lift
Without
With
+21.2%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
3y 3m
Avg Prosecution
44 currently pending
Career history
888
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
0.7%
-39.3% vs TC avg
§103
68.9%
+28.9% vs TC avg
§102
4.4%
-35.6% vs TC avg
§112
9.0%
-31.0% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 848 resolved cases

Office Action

§101 §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 . Status of the Claims Claims 1-10 are pending as filed 5/1/2024. 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. Claims 1-10 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 101 because the claimed invention is directed to non-statutory subject matter. The claim(s) does/do not fall within at least one of the four categories of patent eligible subject matter because the “use” claims do not set fort steps involved in any claimed process. While independent claims 1, 4, and 7 recite an intended use of the “use” claim and effects of a referenced use process, the claims do not purport to claim a process, machine, manufacture, or composition and therefore fails to comply with 35 U.S.C. 101. The claims fail to recite steps and otherwise fail to recite a claim within one of the statutory classes of 35 U.S.C. 101. Claims depending from rejected base claims are also rejected here. 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 1-10 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. The claims do not recite steps in a method of making and/or using a product but rather recite intended use and/or effects of performing steps not recited in the claims; accordingly, it is unclear what exactly are the metes and bounds of the ‘use” claim which is interpreted as a method of making but lacking active steps which comprise the method. Limitations are not imported from the specification as filed into the claims. Appropriate clarification is required. Conclusion No claim is allowed at this time. The prior art does not reasonably suggest the application of a higher aliphatic alcohol particularly to Solanaceae plants in methods of use as generally described in the instant specification as filed. CN109769550A constitutes near art for its teaching of insecticide application of dodecanol, emulsifying agent, water, and lauryl alcohol to plants, however it teaches no rationale for the combining its teaching as a whole with a method of application to particular plants or any association with chemical phosphatidylcholine components instantly recited. Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to AUDREA B CONIGLIO whose telephone number is (571)270-1336. The examiner can normally be reached Monday - Thursday 7:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.. 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, Michael Hartley can be reached at 5712720616. 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. /AUDREA B CONIGLIO/ Primary Examiner, Art Unit 1617
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Prosecution Timeline

May 01, 2024
Application Filed
Jun 11, 2026
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §101, §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
53%
Grant Probability
74%
With Interview (+21.2%)
3y 3m (~1y 0m remaining)
Median Time to Grant
Low
PTA Risk
Based on 848 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.

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