StemCellPatents.com Applauds Patent Office Decision to Re-Examine WARF Patents.TORONTO -- StemCellPatents.com supports today's announcement by the United States Patent and Trademark Office The United States Patent and Trademark Office (PTO or USPTO) is an agency in the United States Department of Commerce that provides patent protection to inventors and businesses for their inventions, and trademark registration for product and intellectual property that three patents covering embryonic stem cell Embryonic stem cells (ES cells) are stem cells derived from the inner cell mass of an early stage embryo known as a blastocyst. Human embryos reach the blastocyst stage 4-5 days post fertilization, at which time they consist of 50-150 cells. ES cells are pluripotent. composition of matter will be re-examined in light of existing prior art. We support this announcement because the re-examination process will initiate a constructive public dialogue and will add to the public's understanding of the merits by which patents in such a complex field are granted. The patents, 5,843,780, 6,200,806, and 7,029,913 are owned by the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation The Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation is the nonprofit technology transfer office of the University of Wisconsin-Madison. It is a significant source of research support, independent of federal grants. (WARF WARF Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation WARF Wide Aperture Research Facility WARF Wartime Active Replacement Factors WARF weighted-average risk factor WARF Wartime Attrition and Replacement Factors WARF Whylie Animal Rescue Foundation ) and cover composition of matter on embryonic stem cells. The ex-parte re-examination request submitted on July 18th 2006 by the Foundation Taxpayer and Consumer Rights and the Public Patent Foundation is based on submitted prior art which describes embryonic stem cells of similar SSEA-1 negative, SSEA-4, SSEA-4, TRA-1-60, TRA-1-81 positive phenotype phenotype (fē`nətīp'): see genetics. phenotype All the observable characteristics of an organism, such as shape, size, colour, and behaviour, that result from the interaction of its genotype (total genetic makeup) with as those claimed by the WARF patents. "In today's deluge of stem cell stem cell In living organisms, an undifferentiated cell that can produce other cells that eventually make up specialized tissues and organs. There are two major types of stem cells, embryonic and adult. patents and general 'information overload' it is vital for scientific and commercial progress that patent monopolies be only granted to 'new, useful, and non-obvious improvements in the prior art.' Only through careful analysis and understanding of intellectual and legal merits can this decision be made," stated Dr Zhaohui Zhong, Chairman of StemCellPatents.com. He continues, "StemCellPatents.com does not take the position that the embryonic stem cell patents at issue should be modified or invalidated in·val·i·date tr.v. in·val·i·dat·ed, in·val·i·dat·ing, in·val·i·dates To make invalid; nullify. in·val , however, we do strongly encourage open dialogue and public understanding of the merits by which patents in such a complex field are granted. The re-examination of the embryonic stem cell patents in light of previous scientific discoveries that at face value may overlap with the WARF patents will provide such a dialogue that will enhance public awareness of patentability requirements." About StemCellPatents.com StemCellPatents.com is an informal organization of concerned scientists, lawyers and intellectuals dedicated to the public dissemination of stem cell patent knowledge and implementation. The organization is dedicated to synergizing accomplishments in a trans-national, trans-disciplinary manner through providing freely accessible information and means of communication. More information will be available at our website www.stemcellpatents.com. |
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