Last updated: July 17, 2026

Application No. 18/710,007

AMPOULE FOR ORAL VACCINE ADMINISTRATION AND METHODS OF USE

Non-Final OA

Filed

May 14, 2024

Priority

Nov 16, 2021 — provisional 63/279,889 +2 more

Examiner

WENG, KAI H

Art Unit

3781

Tech Center

3700 — Mechanical Engineering & Manufacturing

Assignee

Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC

OA Round

1 (Non-Final)

Interview Optional

— +16.9% interview lift. Examiner has a relatively high allowance rate (70%); +16.9% interview lift. A written response may suffice.

Based on 486 resolved cases, 2023–2026

Examiner Intelligence

WENG, KAI H View full profile →

Grants 70% — above average

Career Allowance Rate

342 granted / 486 resolved

At TC average

Strong +17% interview lift

Without

With

+16.9%

Interview Lift

resolved cases with interview

Typical timeline

3y 4m

Avg Prosecution

36 currently pending

Career history

520

Total Applications

across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101

0.2%

-39.8% vs TC avg

§103

89.4%

+49.4% vs TC avg

§102

4.1%

-35.9% vs TC avg

§112

1.7%

-38.3% vs TC avg

Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 486 resolved cases

Prosecution Timeline

May 14, 2024

Application Filed

Mar 30, 2026

Non-Final Rejection mailed (current)

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

18/006,886

Patent 12667655

TUBE CLAMPING ARRANGEMENT FOR A DIALYSIS MACHINE

3y 5m to grant Granted Jun 30, 2026

18/376,389

Patent 12667521

METHODS AND ADAPTERS FOR MIXING PHARMACEUTICAL COMPLEXES

2y 9m to grant Granted Jun 30, 2026

18/075,532

Patent 12648893

VIAL ADAPTOR ASSEMBLY FOR A CLOSED FLUID TRANSFER SYSTEM

3y 6m to grant Granted Jun 09, 2026

18/225,923

Patent 12635682

PACKAGING ASSEMBLY FOR STORING TISSUE AND CELLULAR MATERIAL

2y 10m to grant Granted May 26, 2026

18/511,584

Patent 12623052

AN INDWELLING CATHETER SYSTEM

2y 5m to grant Granted May 12, 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.

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Prosecution Projections

1-2

Expected OA Rounds

70%

Grant Probability

87%

With Interview (+16.9%)

3y 4m (~1y 2m remaining)

Median Time to Grant

Low

PTA Risk

Based on 486 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.