p a t e n t a t t o r n e y s the epo‘s approach in assessing inventive step for antibody claims...
TRANSCRIPT
P A T E N T A T T O R N E Y S
The EPO‘s approach in assessing inventive step
for antibody claims
Dr. Andreas Hübel
M I C H A L S K I H Ü T T E R M A N N
P A T E N T A T T O R N E Y S
M I C H A L S K I H Ü T T E R M A N N
P A T E N T A T T O R N E Y S
Article 56 EPC – Inventive step
An invention shall be considered as involving an inventive step if,
having regard to the state of the art,
it is not obvious to a person skilled in the art.
M I C H A L S K I H Ü T T E R M A N N
P A T E N T A T T O R N E Y S
Guidelines for Examination in the EPO – G VII
2. State of the art
The state of the art may reside in the relevant common general knowledge,
which need not necessarily be in writing and
needs substantiation only if challenged (see T 939/92).
M I C H A L S K I H Ü T T E R M A N N
P A T E N T A T T O R N E Y S
Guidelines for Examination in the EPO – G VII
5. Problem-and-solution approach
In the problem-and-solution approach, there are three main stages:
M I C H A L S K I H Ü T T E R M A N N
P A T E N T A T T O R N E Y S
Guidelines for Examination in the EPO – G VII
5. Problem-and-solution approach
In the problem-and-solution approach, there are three main stages:
(i) determining the "closest prior art",
M I C H A L S K I H Ü T T E R M A N N
P A T E N T A T T O R N E Y S
Guidelines for Examination in the EPO – G VII
5. Problem-and-solution approach
In the problem-and-solution approach, there are three main stages:
(i) determining the "closest prior art",
(ii) establishing the "objective technical problem" to be solved, and
M I C H A L S K I H Ü T T E R M A N N
P A T E N T A T T O R N E Y S
Guidelines for Examination in the EPO – G VII
5. Problem-and-solution approach
In the problem-and-solution approach, there are three main stages:
(i) determining the "closest prior art",
(ii) establishing the "objective technical problem" to be solved, and
(iii) considering whether or not the claimed invention, starting from the closest prior art and the objective technical problem, would have been obvious to the skilled person.
M I C H A L S K I H Ü T T E R M A N N
P A T E N T A T T O R N E Y S
Guidelines for Examination in the EPO – G VII
5.1 Determination of the closest prior art
The closest prior art is that which in one single reference discloses the combination of features which constitutes the most promising starting point for an obvious development leading to the invention.
… it should be directed to a similar purpose or effect as the invention or at least belong to the same or a closely related technical field as the claimed invention.
In practice, the closest prior art is generally that which corresponds to a similar use and requires the minimum of structural and functional modifications to arrive at the claimed invention
M I C H A L S K I H Ü T T E R M A N N
P A T E N T A T T O R N E Y S
Guidelines for Examination in the EPO – G VII
5.2 Formulation of the objective technical problem
- determining the difference between the claimed invention and the closest prior art in terms of features;
M I C H A L S K I H Ü T T E R M A N N
P A T E N T A T T O R N E Y S
Guidelines for Examination in the EPO – G VII
5.2 Formulation of the objective technical problem
- determining the difference between the claimed invention and the closest prior art in terms of features;
- identifying the technical effect resulting from the distinguishing features;
M I C H A L S K I H Ü T T E R M A N N
P A T E N T A T T O R N E Y S
Guidelines for Examination in the EPO – G VII
5.2 Formulation of the objective technical problem
- determining the difference between the claimed invention and the closest prior art in terms of features;
- identifying the technical effect resulting from the distinguishing features;
- then formulating the technical problem.
M I C H A L S K I H Ü T T E R M A N N
P A T E N T A T T O R N E Y S
Guidelines for Examination in the EPO – G VII
5.2 Formulation of the objective technical problem
- determining the difference between the claimed invention and the closest prior art in terms of features;
- identifying the technical effect resulting from the distinguishing features;
- then formulating the technical problem.
The objective technical problem derived in this way may not be what the applicant presented as "the problem" in his application.
M I C H A L S K I H Ü T T E R M A N N
P A T E N T A T T O R N E Y S
Guidelines for Examination in the EPO – G VII
5.2 Formulation of the objective technical problem
The expression "technical problem" does not necessarily imply that the
technical solution is a technical improvement over the prior art.
Thus the problem could be simply to seek an alternative to a known
device or process which provides the same or similar effects or is more
cost-effective.
M I C H A L S K I H Ü T T E R M A N N
P A T E N T A T T O R N E Y S
Guidelines for Examination in the EPO – G VII
5.3 Could-would approach
Is there is any teaching in the prior art as a whole
that would (not simply could, but would) have prompted the skilled person,
faced with the objective technical problem,
to modify or adapt the closest prior art while taking account of that teaching,
thereby arriving at something falling within the terms of the claims, and thus
achieving what the invention achieves.
M I C H A L S K I H Ü T T E R M A N N
P A T E N T A T T O R N E Y S
Inventive step for antibody claims
How does the EPO
applies its problem-solution approach
to antibody claims ??
M I C H A L S K I H Ü T T E R M A N N
P A T E N T A T T O R N E Y S
Inventive step for antibody claims
How does the EPO
applies its problem-solution approach
to antibody claims ?
M I C H A L S K I H Ü T T E R M A N N
P A T E N T A T T O R N E Y S
Inventive step for antibody claims
How does the EPO
applies its problem-solution approach
to small molecules ?
M I C H A L S K I H Ü T T E R M A N N
P A T E N T A T T O R N E Y S
Inventive step for small molecules
Compounds not structurally close to each other
compound 1A compound 1B
M I C H A L S K I H Ü T T E R M A N N
P A T E N T A T T O R N E Y S
Inventive step for small molecules
Compounds not structurally close to each other
compound 1A compound 1B
M I C H A L S K I H Ü T T E R M A N N
P A T E N T A T T O R N E Y S
Inventive step for small molecules
Compounds not structurally close to each other
compound 1A compound 1B
Compound 1B does not have to exhibit advantages or surprising effects
beyond those exhibited by compound 1A for being considered as being
based on an inventive step.
M I C H A L S K I H Ü T T E R M A N N
P A T E N T A T T O R N E Y S
Inventiveness of small molecules
Compounds structurally close to each other
compound 2A compound 2B
M I C H A L S K I H Ü T T E R M A N N
P A T E N T A T T O R N E Y S
Inventiveness of small molecules
Compounds structurally close to each other
compound 2A compound 2B
M I C H A L S K I H Ü T T E R M A N N
P A T E N T A T T O R N E Y S
Inventiveness of small molecules
Compounds structurally close to each other
compound 2A compound 2B
Compound 2B has to exhibit advantages or surprising effects
beyond those exhibited by compound 2A
for being considered as non-obvious.
M I C H A L S K I H Ü T T E R M A N N
P A T E N T A T T O R N E Y S
Inventiveness of antibodies
How is the EPO’s assessment of inventive step for small molecules
transferred to antibody claims ?
www.protopedia.org
M I C H A L S K I H Ü T T E R M A N N
P A T E N T A T T O R N E Y S
Inventiveness of antibodies
Structure of antibodies
www.protopedia.org
M I C H A L S K I H Ü T T E R M A N N
P A T E N T A T T O R N E Y S
Inventiveness of antibodies
Structure of antibodies
M I C H A L S K I H Ü T T E R M A N N
P A T E N T A T T O R N E Y S
Inventiveness of antibodies
Structure of antibodies
M I C H A L S K I H Ü T T E R M A N N
P A T E N T A T T O R N E Y S
Inventiveness of antibodies
Structure of antibodies
M I C H A L S K I H Ü T T E R M A N N
P A T E N T A T T O R N E Y S
Inventiveness of antibodies
The vast majority of structural elements are the same in most antibodies.
CDR‘s constitute the gist of a novel antibody, but constitute a small portion of the antibody structure.
Amino acid sequences of the CDRs are not predictable.
Amino acid sequence of a single CDR is often known.
M I C H A L S K I H Ü T T E R M A N N
P A T E N T A T T O R N E Y S
Inventiveness of antibodies
If antigen A is novel,
then an antibody against antigen A is usually considered to be
novel AND inventive,
provided that antigen A is well defined in the application.
M I C H A L S K I H Ü T T E R M A N N
P A T E N T A T T O R N E Y S
Inventiveness of antibodies
• Prior Art: > monoclonal antibody (mAb) „X“, which binds protein „A“ > method for preparation (immunisation protocol, isolation) > functionality: neutralizing activity > characterized by the amino acid sequence of ist VH and VL- domains
• Claim: > monoclonal Ab „Y“ binding protein „A“, the mAB comprising the six CDRs as being those of SEQ ID NO: 1 to 6. (method of preparation is the same as in prior art, function is the same as prior art mAb)
• Novelty: > YES, due to structural characterization of the six CDRs
• Inventive:> Sequence of the six CDRs obvious ? YES or NO ?
M I C H A L S K I H Ü T T E R M A N N
P A T E N T A T T O R N E Y S
Inventiveness of antibodies
• Prior Art: > monoclonal antibody (mAb) „X“, which binds protein „A“ > method for preparation (immunisation protocol, isolation) > functionality: neutralizing activity > characterized by the amino acid sequence of ist VH and VL- domains
• Claim: > monoclonal Ab „Y“ binding protein „A“, the mAB comprising the six CDRs as being those of SEQ ID NO: 1 to 6. (method of preparation is the same as in prior art, function is the same as prior art mAb)
• Novelty: > YES, due to structural characterization of the six CDRs
• Inventive:> Sequence of the six CDRs obvious ? YES ! pursuant to EPO
M I C H A L S K I H Ü T T E R M A N N
P A T E N T A T T O R N E Y S
Inventiveness of antibodies
In small molecules, the skilled artisan could envisage changes here and
there, however he would not do so with an expectation to succeed
- unless prior art guides him in relation with non-active parts of the molecule
which could be modified without consequences for the biological activity or
- unless safe predictions can be made based on prior art structures.
In Ab molecules, nature does it four you => once you have a method to
produce one type of antibody, the skilled artisan knows that by routine
techniques he would succeed to produce other Abs with equivalent functional
properties, albeit different structure.
M I C H A L S K I H Ü T T E R M A N N
P A T E N T A T T O R N E Y S
Inventiveness of antibodies
Methods of generating antibodies are known.
Köhler, G. & Milstein, C. (1975): Continuous cultures of fused cells secreting antibody of predefined specificity. In: Nature. Bd. 256, S. 495–497.
In 1979, hybridoma technology was considered not being routine (T 349/91).
Today, hybridoma technology and phage display are considered technologies that are well mastered, no technical problems are expected.
A single document describing the new technology thoroughly and reciting possible uses and advantages is sufficient to deny an inventive step.
M I C H A L S K I H Ü T T E R M A N N
P A T E N T A T T O R N E Y S
Inventiveness of antibodies
A single document describing the new technology thoroughly and reciting possible uses and advantages is sufficient to deny an inventive step.
Hence, producing single-domain antibodies („nanobodies“) be immunisation of llamas and generating Abs by hybridomas or generating phage display does not provide an inventive step for said nanobody if said nanobody does not have an unexpected effect.
M I C H A L S K I H Ü T T E R M A N N
P A T E N T A T T O R N E Y S
Inventiveness of antibodies
As methods for generating antibodies are considered to be routine
techniques today,
the EPO deems that structure alone can not be the basis
for acknowledging an inventive step,
if the function of the novel antibody is the same as in the prior art antibody.
The novel antibody has to have an unexpected technical effect
for having an inventive step acknowledged by the EPO.e.g. antigen specificity, affinity, mode of action, immunogenicity, stability, neutralizing titer, epitope specificity, etc.
M I C H A L S K I H Ü T T E R M A N N
P A T E N T A T T O R N E Y S
Summary
If antigen A is novel, then an antibody against antigen A is usually considered
to be novel AND inventive,
provided that antigen A is well defined in the application.
M I C H A L S K I H Ü T T E R M A N N
P A T E N T A T T O R N E Y S
Summary
If antigen A is novel, then an antibody against antigen A is usually considered
to be novel AND inventive,
provided that antigen A is well defined in the application.
A generic antibody against a known target is not inventive.
M I C H A L S K I H Ü T T E R M A N N
P A T E N T A T T O R N E Y S
Summary
If antigen A is novel, then an antibody against antigen A is usually considered
to be novel AND inventive,
provided that antigen A is well defined in the application.
A generic antibody against a known target is not inventive.
The provision of a novel antibody against a known antigen involves an
inventive step only if the antibody shows unexpected properties or if it was
unexpected that such an antibody could be produced at all.
M I C H A L S K I H Ü T T E R M A N N
P A T E N T A T T O R N E Y S
Questions to be discussed
What is an unexpected property of a new antibody ?
M I C H A L S K I H Ü T T E R M A N N
P A T E N T A T T O R N E Y S
Questions to be discussed
What is an unexpected property of a new antibody ?
Is it really nature doing it for us ?
M I C H A L S K I H Ü T T E R M A N N
P A T E N T A T T O R N E Y S
Questions to be discussed
What is an unexpected property of a new antibody ?
Is it really nature doing it for us ?
Is the basic nucleus of smalls molecule equivalent to the backbone or to the
CDRs of Abs ?
M I C H A L S K I H Ü T T E R M A N N
P A T E N T A T T O R N E Y S
Questions to be discussed
What is an unexpected property of a new antibody ?
Is it really nature doing it for us ?
Is the basic nucleus of smalls molecule equivalent to the backbone or to the
CDRs of Abs ?
Is it appropriate to consider routine techniques in assessing inventive step of
a product defined by its structure ?
M I C H A L S K I H Ü T T E R M A N N
P A T E N T A T T O R N E Y S
Questions to be discussed
What is an unexpected property of a new antibody ?
Is it really nature doing it for us ?
Is the basic nucleus of smalls molecule equivalent to the backbone or to the
CDRs of Abs ?
Is it appropriate to consider routine techniques in assessing inventive step of
a product defined by its structure ?
Is the unpredictability of CDR sequences sufficiently considered ?
M I C H A L S K I H Ü T T E R M A N N
P A T E N T A T T O R N E Y S
Thank you very much for your kind attention.
Michalski · Hüttermann & Partnerwww.mhpatent.de
Büro DüsseldorfNeuer Zollhof 2
D-40221 DüsseldorfFon +49 211 159 249 0Fax +49 211 159 249 20
Büro MünchenNymphenburger Strasse 4
D-80335 MünchenFon +49 89 208027 274Fax: +49 89 208027 275