Recitation of Common Functional Groups for Genus Claims Fails Written Description Requirement

In an opinion issued on March 6, 2023, the Federal Circuit affirmed the PTAB’s holding of unpatentability because the applications from which the patent claimed priority from lacked sufficient written description under 35 U.S.C. § 112. Regents of University of MN v. Gilead Sciences, Inc., No. 2021-2168 (March 6, 2021). Because the patent could not…

Written Description Requirement for Negative Claim Limitations in Flux as Federal Circuit Panel Reverses Previous Panel Decision

Section 112 written description requirements present a challenge for patentees claiming negative limitations, as the extent to which a specification needs to disclose the absence of a feature is not entirely clear, especially following the recent Federal Circuit case Novartis v. HEC Pharm Case No. 1:18-cv-01043-KAJ (Fed. Cir. June 21, 2022). In its review of negative…

Laundry List of Formulations Fails to Satisfy § 112 for Broad Functional Claims

Judge Bryson, sitting in the District of Delaware invalidated four patents owned by Lipocine, Inc., finding that the patents did not meet the written description and enablement requirements of 35 U.S.C. § 112. Lipocine Inc. v. Clarus Therapeutics, Inc., No. 19-622 2021 (D. Del. 2021). Lipocine’s patents were directed to methods for treating men deficient…