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  • Salvacion USA, Inc. v. Trutek CorpAll claims unpatentable
    PTAB · Dec 2, 2025 · IPR2024-00711 · APJ Sheridan K Snedden · IPR · Final written decision

    Claims 1–3 and 8 are unpatentable as anticipated by Chen, Baker, Wahi ’005, and, for claims 1, 2, and 8, Rolf; the Board also finds them obvious over the asserted grounds.

    RulingsFinal written decision
    • Skill levelSkill level petitioner adoptedDecided for petitioner

      “In our Institution Decision, we adopted Petitioner’s definition of a person of ordinary skill in the art (“POSITA”) as it was undisputed at the time and consistent with the evidence of record. Inst. Dec. 7–8. Based on our consideration of the full record, we maintain our determination that a POSITA at the time the application for the ’802 patent was filed “would have had at least an undergraduate degree in pharmacy, chemistry, biochemistry, biomedical engineering or a closely related field, such that the POSITA generally understand[s] pharmaceutical formulation.” Pet. 12. Additionally, we agree with Petitioner that “[a] POSITA would be familiar with the chemical ingredients in the [’802] Patent, biocidic agents, and cationic agents, have knowledge of airborne particles including viruses and bacteria, and understand electrostatic fields, electrostatic attraction and repulsion, adhesion and cohesion.” Id. (citing Ex. 1002 ¶¶ 38–39).” slip op. at 11

    • Claim Construction › Intrinsic evidence (Phillips canons) › Preamble limiting or notPreamble limitingDecided for petitioner

      “of independent claims 1, 2, and 8 as limiting. Inst. Dec. 7–8. The parties do not dispute our construction of the preambles of claims 1, 2, and 8 as limiting. See generally PO Resp.; Pet. Reply 2–4. After consideration of the full trial record, we maintain our construction of the preamble of claims 1, 2, and 8 as limiting for the reasons set forth in our Institution Decision. Id. Briefly, the preamble of independent claims 1, 2, and 8 limits the challenged claims as both the preamble and the body are used to define the subject matter claimed. See Allen Engineering Corp., v. Bartell Industries, Inc., 299 F.3d 1336, 1346 (Fed. Cir. 2002). In particular, the preamble is “necessary to give life, meaning and vitality” to the claim, see id., because it provides the only description in the claim for the application site of the formulation, i.e., “to skin or tissue of nasal passages,” and how the formulation is applied, i.e., “in a thin film.”” slip op. at 8

    • Claim Construction › Threshold & procedure › Whether a term needs construction (O2 Micro)Term construed board ownDecided for petitioner

      “After consideration of the full trial record, we maintain our construction. From our perspective, the claims themselves support this construction as the claims expand upon the term “electrostatically inhibiting” with specific means for achieving such inhibition. Specifically, claims 1 and 2 recite electrostatically attracting the particulate matter, holding the matter in place, and inactivating the matter. Additionally, the Specification supports our construction as it describes the use of “an electrostatic field such that oppositely charged airborne particulates (including microorganisms) in the vicinity of the surface are electrostatically trapped, held thereto and one or more of the microorganisms so captured is neutralized, killed, inactivated, and rendered harmless.” Ex. 1001, 3:36–40; PO Resp. 10 n.6.” slip op. at 9

    • Claim Construction › Intrinsic evidence (Phillips canons) › Plain and ordinary meaning to a POSITATerm construed patent owner constructionDecided for petitioner

      “We adopt the parties’ construction of “adequate impermeability” that has been accepted in the related district court litigation: “Adequate impermeability” refers to the “thin film holding harmful particles in place and inhibiting them from penetrating the thin film and contacting the skin or tissue of an individual’s nasal passages. This is done by varying the concentration of ingredients . . .[,] thereby adjusting the adhesion and cohesion of the thin film.” Pet. Reply 3 (quoting Ex. 1010, 17). Furthermore, as stated in our Institution Decision, along with that term, the claim language explains that the thin film is meant to stick to the skin or tissue and to hold the particulate matter in place. Inst. Dec. 9–10. The claim language also explains that the cohesion of the formulation is adjusted to provide adequate impermeability to the thin film. Thus, it is reasonable to consider the recited impermeability is a function of the cohesive properties of the thin film, and that such impermeability refers to a property of the thin film, i.e., inhibiting the penetration or passage of matter through it onto the skin or tissue at the application site.” slip op. at 10

    Patent outcomesUS 8,163,802 unpatentable
    Claim construction§ 102 anticipation§ 103 obviousnesscites Phillips · KSR · Graham
    Patents in suitUS 8,163,802
  • PTAB · Sep 11, 2024 · IPR2024-00631 · APJ Susan L C Mitchell · IPR · Institution

    The Board instituted review of claims 1–10 on all petitioned grounds, finding a reasonable likelihood of unpatentability, and granted Apotex’s motion to join the Mylan IPR.

    RulingsInstitution decision
    • PTAB / AIA Trials › Discretionary denial › Fintiv (parallel litigation)Decided for petitioner

      “discretionary. See Harmonic Inc. v. Avid Tech., Inc., 815 F.3d 1356, 1367 (Fed. Cir. 2016); see also 35 U.S.C. § 314(a). In Apple Inc. v. Fintiv, Inc., IPR2020-00019, Paper 11 (PTAB Mar. 20, 2020) (precedential), the Board set forth six non-exclusive factors for determining “whether efficiency, fairness, and the merits support the exercise of authority to deny institution in view of an earlier trial date in the parallel proceeding.” Id. at 6. These factors are as follows: 1. whether the court granted a stay or evidence exists that one may be granted if a proceeding is instituted; 2. proximity of the court’s trial date to the Board’s projected statutory deadline for a final written decision; 3. investment in the parallel proceeding by the court and the parties; 4. overlap between issues raised in the petition and in the parallel proceeding; 5. whether the petitioner and the defendant in the parallel proceeding are the same party; and 6. other circumstances that impact the Board’s exercise of discretion, including the merits. Id. at 5–6. In evaluating these factors, we take a holistic view of whether efficiency and integrity of the system are best served by denying or instituting review. Id. at 6. The Director has also issued interim guidance to the Board on applying the factors. See Katherine K. Vidal, Interim Procedure for Discretionary Denials in AIA Post-Grant Proceedings with” slip op. at 6

    • PTAB / AIA Trials › Institution threshold (reasonable likelihood / more likely than not)InstitutedInstituted

      “review under 35 U.S.C. § 314 and 37 C.F.R. § 42.4(a). To institute an inter partes review, we must determine that the information presented in the Petition shows “a reasonable likelihood that the petitioner would prevail with respect to at least 1 of the claims challenged in the petition.” 35 U.S.C. § 314(a).” slip op. at 2

    • PTAB / AIA Trials › Joinder §315(c) / SAS all-or-nothingJoinder, grantedGranted

      “Under 37 C.F.R. § 42.5(b), we “may waive or suspend a requirement of [part 42 of the Board’s rules] and may place conditions on the waiver or suspension.” Here, we agree with Petitioner that it has shown sufficient reason for us to waive the one-month from institution joinder motion deadline. See 37 C.F.R. § 42.122(b). Petitioner waited until it had a sufficient business reason to file this Petition, and subsequently promptly filed its Petition and Motion for Joinder. Most critically, Petitioner raises no new unpatentability grounds, the trial schedule for the Mylan IPR need not be adjusted, and Petitioner agrees to serve in a silent understudy role. We determine that joinder with the Mylan IPR is appropriate under the circumstances. Accordingly, we grant Petitioner’s Motion for Joinder.” slip op. at 13

    Discretionary denial
    Patents in suitUS 10,335,462
  • PTAB · Jul 23, 2024 · IPR2024-00298 · APJ Ryan H Flax · IPR · Adverse judgment

    The Board entered adverse judgment against Patent Owner on claims 1–30 after it disclaimed every challenged claim, terminating the proceeding.

    RulingsAdverse judgment
    • Adverse judgmentAdverse judgmentGranted

      “Under 37 C.F.R. § 42.72, “[t]he Board may terminate a trial without rendering a final written decision, where appropriate . . . .” Further, 37 C.F.R. § 42.73(b)(1) and (2) together state that, “[a] party may request judgment against itself at any time during a proceeding. Actions construed to be a request for adverse judgment include . . . [d]isclaimer of the involved application or patent [and] [c]ancellation or disclaimer of a claim such that the party has no remaining claim in the trial.” Thus, in disclaiming every claim in the ’572 patent, Patent Owner has constructively requested adverse judgement. Ex. 3005.” slip op. at 2

    None
    Patents in suitUS 11,253,572
  • PTAB · Jul 23, 2024 · IPR2024-00260 · APJ Ryan H Flax · IPR · Adverse judgment

    Adverse judgment was entered against Patent Owner as to claims 1–30 after it disclaimed all challenged claims, and the proceeding was terminated.

    RulingsAdverse judgment
    • Adverse judgmentAdverse judgmentGranted

      “Under 37 C.F.R. § 42.72, “[t]he Board may terminate a trial without rendering a final written decision, where appropriate . . . .” Further, 37 C.F.R. § 42.73(b)(1) and (2) together state that, “[a] party may request judgment against itself at any time during a proceeding. Actions construed to be a request for adverse judgment include . . . [d]isclaimer of the involved application or patent [and] [c]ancellation or disclaimer of a claim such that the party has no remaining claim in the trial.” Thus, in disclaiming every claim in the ’572 patent, Patent Owner has constructively requested adverse judgement. Ex. 3005. We grant Patent Owner’s request. Several exhibits filed in this proceeding were done so under seal as” slip op. at 2

    None
    Patents in suitUS 11,253,572
  • PTAB · Jul 23, 2024 · IPR2023-00884 · APJ Ryan H Flax · IPR · Adverse judgment

    The Board entered adverse judgment against Patent Owner on claims 1–30 after their disclaimer and terminated the proceeding.

    RulingsAdverse judgment
    • Adverse judgmentAdverse judgmentGranted

      “Under 37 C.F.R. § 42.72, “[t]he Board may terminate a trial without rendering a final written decision, where appropriate . . . .” Further, 37 C.F.R. § 42.73(b)(1) and (2) together state that, “[a] party may request judgment against itself at any time during a proceeding. Actions construed to be a request for adverse judgment include . . . [d]isclaimer of the involved application or patent [and] [c]ancellation or disclaimer of a claim such that the party has no remaining claim in the trial.” Thus, in disclaiming every claim in the ’572 patent, Patent Owner has constructively requested adverse judgement. Ex. 3005. We grant Patent Owner’s request. Several exhibits filed in this proceeding were done so under seal as” slip op. at 2

    None
    Patents in suitUS 11,253,572
  • PTAB · May 28, 2024 · IPR2024-00107 · APJ Susan L C Mitchell · IPR · Institution

    The Board instituted review of claims 1–10 on all petitioned grounds, finding a reasonable likelihood of unpatentability, and granted Sun’s motion to join the Mylan IPR.

    RulingsInstitution decision
    • PTAB / AIA Trials › Discretionary denial › Fintiv (parallel litigation)Decided for petitioner

      “The Director set forth in the Interim Procedure that “the PTAB will not discretionarily deny institution of an IPR or PGR in view of parallel district court litigation where a petitioner stipulates not to pursue in a parallel district court proceeding the same grounds as in the petition or any grounds that could have reasonably been raised in the petition.” Interim Procedure, 7, 9. This guidance does not condition or otherwise qualify the effect of a Sotera stipulation on our exercise of discretion to deny the Petition based on any remaining defendants in the parallel litigation that are not subject to the stipulation or any alleged “behind the scenes” participation by Petitioner such as paying for experts, participating in expert reports or deposition preparation “in connection with any of the stipulated grounds.” See Paper 14, 1. Petitioner has filed such a stipulation. See Ex. 1099. Therefore, we will not exercise our discretion to deny the Petition. We also find that with the change of the district court trial date to over two months after the original statutory due date for the Mylan IPR, the Mylan IPR should be completed before a trial in the district court begins. See Mylan IPR, Ex. 1098. This change in trial date, in addition to the lack of complete overlap in the claims asserted here and in the Delaware Litigation, provide further reason for us to refrain from exercising our discretion to deny the Petition under 35 U.S.C. § 314(a) regardless of remaining defendants in the Delaware Litigation that are not bound by any estoppel arising from the Mylan IPR.9” slip op. at 9

    • PTAB / AIA Trials › Institution threshold (reasonable likelihood / more likely than not)InstitutedInstituted

      “For the same reasons set forth in our institution decision in the Mylan IPR, we determine that Petitioner has shown a reasonable likelihood that at least one claim is unpatentable. Mylan IPR, Paper 10, 17–29 (PTAB Oct. 4, 2023). We therefore institute trial as to all challenged claims on all grounds stated in the Petition.” slip op. at 11

    • PTAB / AIA Trials › Joinder §315(c) / SAS all-or-nothingJoinder, grantedGranted

      “entitled to the requested relief. 37 C.F.R. § 42.20(c). A motion for joinder should: set forth the reasons joinder is appropriate; identify any new grounds of unpatentability asserted in the petition; and explain what impact (if any) joinder would have on the trial schedule for the existing review. See Kyocera Corp. v. Softview LLC, IPR2013-00004, Paper 15 at 4 (PTAB Apr. 24, 2013).” slip op. at 12

    Discretionary denial
    Patents in suitUS 10,335,462
  • PTAB · Apr 25, 2024 · IPR2024-00009 · APJ Susan L C Mitchell · IPR · Institution

    The Board instituted review of claims 1–10 on all petition grounds, declined discretionary denial, and granted joinder with IPR2023-00724.

    RulingsInstitution decision
    • PTAB / AIA Trials › Discretionary denial › Fintiv (parallel litigation)Decided for petitioner

      “Director Vidal set forth in the Interim Procedure that “the PTAB will not discretionarily deny institution of an IPR or PGR in view of parallel district court litigation where a petitioner stipulates not to pursue in a parallel district court proceeding the same grounds as in the petition or any grounds that could have reasonably been raised in the petition.” Interim Procedure, 7, 9. This guidance does not condition or otherwise qualify the effect of a Sotera stipulation on our exercise of discretion to deny the Petition based on any remaining defendants in the parallel litigation that are not subject to the stipulation. Petitioner has filed such a stipulation. Reply 2 (“Petitioners stipulate that, if instituted, they will not pursue in the parallel district court proceeding the same grounds as in the Petition or any grounds that could have reasonably been raised therein”). Therefore, we will not exercise our discretion to deny the Petition. We also find that with the change of the district court trial date to over two months after the current statutory due date for the Mylan IPR, the Mylan IPR should be completed before a trial in the district court begins. See Ex. 1098. This change in trial date, in addition to the lack of complete overlap in the claims asserted here and in the Delaware Litigation, provide further reason for us to refrain from exercising our discretion to deny the Petition under 35 U.S.C. § 314(a) regardless of remaining defendants in the Delaware Litigation that are not bound by any estoppel arising from the Mylan IPR.10” slip op. at 9

    • PTAB / AIA Trials › Institution threshold (reasonable likelihood / more likely than not)InstitutedInstituted

      “For the same reasons set forth in our institution decision in the Mylan IPR, we determine that Petitioner has shown a reasonable likelihood that at least one claim is unpatentable. Mylan IPR, Paper 10, 17–29 (PTAB Oct. 4, 2023). We therefore institute trial as to all challenged claims on all grounds stated in the Petition.” slip op. at 11

    • PTAB / AIA Trials › Joinder §315(c) / SAS all-or-nothingJoinder, grantedGranted

      “response under section 313 or the expiration of the time for filing such a response, determines warrants the institution of an inter parties review under section 314. As the moving party, Petitioner bears the burden of proving that it is entitled to the requested relief. 37 C.F.R. § 42.20(c). A motion for joinder should: set forth the reasons joinder is appropriate; identify any new grounds of unpatentability asserted in the petition; and explain what impact (if any) joinder would have on the trial schedule for the existing review. See Kyocera Corp. v. Softview LLC, IPR2013-00004, Paper 15 at 4 (PTAB Apr. 24, 2013).” slip op. at 12

    Discretionary denial
    Patents in suitUS 10,335,462
  • PTAB · Feb 21, 2024 · IPR2023-01312 · APJ Jamie T Wisz · IPR · Adverse judgment

    The Board entered adverse judgment against Patent Owner on claims 1–18 after Patent Owner disclaimed all claims, and terminated the proceeding.

    RulingsAdverse judgment
    • Adverse judgmentAdverse judgmentGranted

      “requisite fees. See Ex. 2104; see also 37 C.F.R. § 1.321 (setting forth requirements for statutory disclaimer). Under 37 C.F.R. § 42.73(b), “[a]ctions construed to be a request for adverse judgment include . . . (2) [c]ancellation or disclaimer of a claim such that the party has no remaining claim in the trial.” Because Patent Owner has disclaimed all claims of the ’992 patent, we construe this disclaimer as a request for adverse judgment, and we enter adverse judgment against the Patent Owner with respect to claims 1–18 of the ’992 patent. Accordingly, it is ORDERED that judgment is entered under 37 C.F.R. § 42.73(b) against Patent Owner with respect to claims 1–18 of U.S. Patent No. 10,464,992 B2; and” slip op. at 2

    None
    Patents in suitUS 10,464,992
  • PTAB · Feb 21, 2024 · IPR2023-00462 · APJ Jamie T Wisz · IPR · Adverse judgment

    After Patent Owner disclaimed claims 1–18, the Board entered adverse judgment against Patent Owner on those claims and terminated the proceeding.

    RulingsAdverse judgment
    • Adverse judgmentAdverse judgmentGranted

      “Patent Owner has disclaimed all claims of the ’992 patent and paid the requisite fees. See Ex. 2104; see also 37 C.F.R. § 1.321 (setting forth requirements for statutory disclaimer). Under 37 C.F.R. § 42.73(b), “[a]ctions construed to be a request for adverse judgment include . . . (2) [c]ancellation or disclaimer of a claim such that the party has no remaining claim in the trial.” Because Patent Owner has disclaimed all claims of the ’992 patent, we construe this disclaimer as a request for adverse judgment, and we enter adverse judgment against the Patent Owner with respect to claims 1–18 of the ’992 patent. Accordingly, it is ORDERED that judgment is entered under 37 C.F.R. § 42.73(b) against Patent Owner with respect to claims 1–18 of U.S. Patent No. 10,464,992 B2; and” slip op. at 2

    None
    Patents in suitUS 10,464,992
  • PTAB · Feb 5, 2024 · IPR2023-00958 · APJ Michael J Fitzpatrick · IPR · Rehearing

    Rehearing was granted and IPR instituted on claims 1–28 because the petition showed a reasonable likelihood that claim 1 was obvious over Linnarsson, McCloskey, and ordinary skill.

    RulingsRehearing decision
    • RehearingRehearing, grantedGranted

      “III. WHETHER REHEARING IS WARRANTED Petitioner argues that we misconstrued the claims “as requiring one to add tags in a way that can provide a distinction based on a ‘polynucleotide sequence.’” Req. 6 (quoting Dec. 14 (Petitioner’s emphasis)). Petitioner is correct. More specifically, we implicitly construed the claim language reciting “a second tag sequence distinguishing said sample polynucleotide from other sample polynucleotides from said cell,” as requiring said “distinguishing” to be based on the sequences of the sample polynucleotides. See, e.g., Dec. 14 (“[E]ach strand of cDNA that is tagged in Linnarsson is tagged regardless of the polynucleotide sequence of the cDNA or its corresponding mRNA. Thus, Linnarsson’s tags do not distinguish between ‘sample polynucleotides,’ whether cDNA or mRNA, of different sequences.”). Based on that misunderstanding, we erroneously determined that the proposed modification could not achieve the claim language, stating the following: Petitioner’s proposal appears to defeat satisfaction of another portion of claim 1, namely a “second tag sequence distinguishing said sample polynucleotide from other sample polynucleotides from said cell.” Ex. 1001, 30:62–64. For if the second tag is “added to the CDS or TSO after extension,” as opposed to the sample polynucleotide, as Petitioner argues (Pet. 39 (emphasis added)), it would appear that the second tag would be incapable of distinguishing any sample polynucleotide from other sample polynucleotides. Rather, the second tag would be ligated to each and every extension product bearing a CDS or TSO without regard to the sequence of any sample polynucleotide. Dec. 16. We now reconsider whether to institute.” slip op. at 2

    • PTAB / AIA Trials › Discretionary denial › §325(d) same art / argumentsDecided for petitioner

      “Cited”). Because we find that the same or substantially the same art was previously presented to the Office, we proceed to part two of the analysis. 2. Advanced Bionics Part Two Patent Owner argues that the Petition “fails to show any error in the Examiner’s application during prosecution of the prior art teachings Petitioner now purports to invoke from . . . McCloskey.” Prelim Resp. 23; see also id. at 24–25 (“Revisiting the same art and arguments already overcome during prosecution is a waste of the Board’s limited resources and would unfairly burden PO.”). However, Petitioner argued that “the Examiner committed major error in Examination by erroneously stating that the prior art fails to teach a dual tagging approach when, in fact, this approach is plainly taught in both McCloskey and McCloskey II.” Pet. 67. The record supports Petitioner’s position, and we agree that the error was material to patentability. See Ex. 1005, 131 (Notice of Allowance). Accordingly, and having considered all of the Becton, Dickinson factors, we do not exercise discretionary denial.” slip op. at 12

    • PTAB / AIA Trials › Institution threshold (reasonable likelihood / more likely than not)InstitutedInstituted

      “We are persuaded there is a reasonable likelihood that Petitioner would prevail in demonstrating that a person of ordinary skill in the art would have had a reasonable expectation of success in combining the teachings of Linnarsson and McCloskey with the knowledge of a person of ordinary skill in the art to obtain the claimed subject matter. 8. Conclusion as to Claim 1 There is a reasonable likelihood that Petitioner would prevail in proving that claim 1 is unpatentable.” slip op. at 21

    • Obviousness (§103) › Analogous artNot reached

      “the three references is analogous art to the ’013 patent as opposed to each other. Prelim. Resp. 46 (citing Pet. 35; Sanofi-Aventis Deutschland GmbH v. Mylan Pharms. Inc., 66 F.4th 1373, 1374 (Fed. Cir. 2023)). As Sanofi- Aventis holds, a petitioner bears the burden of persuasion to establish that an asserted prior art reference is analogous art to the claimed invention. See Sanofi-Aventis, 66 F.4th at 1377 (“We agree with [the patent owner] that [the petitioner] did not carry its burden to argue that de Gennes is analogous to the [challenged] patent.”); id. (“In evaluating whether a reference is analogous, we have consistently held that a patent challenger must compare the reference to the challenged patent.”); id. at 1378–79 (“We have routinely held that the petitioner has the burden of proving unpatentability.”). However, the Petition should not be denied for failing to state explicitly that the cited prior art references are analogous art to the ’013 patent. Rather, as Sanofi-Aventis further held: “A petitioner is not required to anticipate and raise analogous art arguments in its petition; instead a petitioner can use its reply to ‘respond to arguments raised in the corresponding opposition, patent owner preliminary response, patent owner response, or decision on institution.’” Sanofi-Aventis, 66 F.4th at 1379 (quoting 37 C.F.R. § 42.23). Accordingly, we need not address this issue for purposes of deciding whether to institute trial.” slip op. at 15

    § 103 obviousnessDiscretionary denial
    Patents in suitUS 10,697,013
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