Holding
In yet another round of the ever-expanding disputes surrounding
CRISPR technology, the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB)
recently denied priority to patentee SNIPR Technologies in its
interference fight with Rockefeller University. SNIPR
Technologies Ltd. v. Rockefeller University, Patent
Interference No. 106,123 (Nov. 19, 2021). The PTAB determined that
Rockefeller University was the first to invent the claimed methods
of using CRISPR technology to kill or modify specific bacteria. As
a result of the determination, the PTAB canceled five SNIPR
patents: U.S. Patent Nos. 10,463,049; 10,506,812; 10,561,148;
10,524,477; 10,582,712.
The claims at issue were directed to "methods of killing or
modifying specific bacteria within a mixed population of
bacteria" using CRISPR systems to alter the relative ratio of
bacteria within the mixed population. Decision on Motions at 2.
This invention was claimed by Rockefeller in a pending patent
application, and by