Prosecution Insights
Last updated: October 27, 2026

Sara Elizabeth Townsley, USPTO Patent Examiner

Listed by the USPTO as TOWNSLEY, SARA ELIZABETH

Tech Center 1600 • Art Units: 1612 1613 1622 1629

This examiner grants 26% of resolved cases

Analysis

TOWNSLEY, SARA ELIZABETH works in tech center 1600 and art unit 1612. Her record covers 398 resolved cases, with a 25.6% allowance rate and a 48.2% interview lift. The median time to allowance is 1448 days. The metrics show a relatively low observed allowance measure paired with a substantial positive interview association, making interview preparation an important part of prosecution planning.

The leading companies are BEIGENE, LTD., University of Florida Research Foundation Inc., and Bristol-Myers Squibb Company. The recurring firms are FOLEY & LARDNER LLP, Knobbe, Martens, Olson & Bear, LLP, and FOLEY HOAG, LLP (General). These participants indicate a biotechnology and life-sciences docket where claim strategy and substantive interview preparation may warrant close attention.

Written from this page's own data; every figure is computed from USPTO records and verified before publication.

Performance Statistics

25.6%
Allow Rate
-34.4% vs TC avg
463
Total Applications
+48.2%
Interview Lift
1448
Avg Prosecution Days
Based on 398 resolved cases, 2023–2026

Rejection Statute Breakdown

1.6%
§101 Eligibility
18.2%
§102 Novelty
41.8%
§103 Obviousness
26.3%
§112 Clarity

Currently Pending Office Actions

App #TitleStatusAssignee
18394005 LPA1 ANTAGONISTS FOR TREATING INTERSTITIAL LUNG DISEASE Final Rejection Bristol-Myers Squibb Company
18018148 SUBSTITUTED PYRROLO-PYRIDINONE DERIVATIVES AND THERAPEUTIC USES THEREOF Final Rejection Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Inc.
18043653 PESTICIDALLY ACTIVE HETEROCYCLIC DERIVATIVES WITH SULFUR CONTAINING SUBSTITUENTS Final Rejection SYNGENTA CROP PROTECTION AG
18722304 METHOD FOR SYNTHESIZING AN OXIME COMPRISING AN IMIDAZOLE GROUP AND METHOD FOR SYNTHESIZING A NITRILE OXIDE FROM SAID OXIME Non-Final OA COMPAGNIE GENERALE DES ETABLISSEMENTS MICHELIN
18714642 CDK4 INHIBITOR FOR THE TREATMENT OF CANCER Non-Final OA PFIZER INC.
18699294 ARYLATED FENCHONE DERIVATIVES, COMPOSITIONS COMPRISING THEM, PROCESSES FOR THEIR PREPARATION AND USES THEREOF Non-Final OA Yissum Research Development Company of The Hebrew University of Jerusalem Ltd.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is examiner Sara Elizabeth Townsley's allowance rate?

25.6% of resolved applications examined by Sara Elizabeth Townsley were allowed (398 resolved cases), compared with 40.7% across Art Unit 1612 over the last five years.

Does an interview help with examiner Sara Elizabeth Townsley?

This examiner's interview lift is +48.2 percentage points: the difference in allowance rate between resolved applications that had an examiner interview and those that did not.

How long does examiner Sara Elizabeth Townsley take to allow a patent?

Applications allowed by Sara Elizabeth Townsley took 1,448 days on average from filing to allowance.

Which art unit does examiner Sara Elizabeth Townsley work in?

Sara Elizabeth Townsley examines applications in Art Unit 1612 in Tech Center 1600 (Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals).

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