Patent Office Seeks Feedback on DNA Sequence Filing Rules
Published Date: 6/26/2025
Notice
Summary
The USPTO is updating how inventors submit DNA and protein sequence info in patent applications. This change affects scientists and companies who file these patents, giving them clearer rules and a chance to share feedback for 60 days. No big costs yet, but staying in the loop now means smoother patenting later!
No Economic Impacts Identified for this Document
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this federal register document means for your household, plus every other regulation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-16744, Request for Comments on Community Outreach Office Locations in the Southwest States
The USPTO wants your ideas on where to open new community outreach offices in the Southwest states like Arizona and Texas. These offices will help inventors, small businesses, and students get better support with patents. Share your thoughts by September 16, 2026, so the USPTO can pick the best spots and keep innovation booming without extra costs to you!
2026-16315, Administrative Updates to the General Requirements Bulletin for Admission to the Examination for Registration To Practice in Patent Cases Before the United States Patent and Trademark Office
Starting August 11, 2026, the USPTO is upgrading Biomedical Science degrees from Category B to Category A for patent bar eligibility. This means more people with this degree can now take the patent exam and become patent practitioners. No extra fees or delays—just a smoother path for those with the right science background to join the patent world!
2026-14939, Grant of Interim Extension of the Term of U.S. Patent No. 8,877,798; Centanafadine Hydrochloride
Otsuka America Pharmaceutical got a one-year extra patent life for their drug centanafadine hydrochloride because the FDA review is still going on. This means their patent, which was set to expire on July 25, 2026, now lasts until July 25, 2027. This extension helps Otsuka keep exclusive rights to their drug a bit longer while waiting for final FDA approval.
2026-14941, Grant of Interim Extension of the Term of U.S. Patent No. 8,461,196; Centanafadine Hydrochloride
Otsuka America Pharmaceutical got a one-year extra patent life for their drug centanafadine hydrochloride because the FDA review is still going on. This means they keep exclusive rights to the drug until July 25, 2027, giving them more time to sell it without competition. This extension helps the company protect their investment while the drug gets final approval.
2026-14793, Requirement To Identify All Real Parties in Interest to a Third Party Request for an Ex Parte Reexamination
The USPTO wants anyone asking for a third-party ex parte reexamination to clearly say who’s really behind the request. This helps stop sneaky tricks and keeps the process honest. If you’re involved, get ready to share this info confidentially by August 21, 2026, or risk delays or issues.
2026-14388, Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget for Review and Approval; Comment Request; Admission to Practice and Roster of Registered Patent Attorneys and Agents Admitted to Practice Before the United States Patent and Trademark Office
The USPTO is asking for public feedback on its paperwork rules for patent attorneys and agents who want to practice before the office. This helps keep the process smooth and fair without making people fill out too many forms. If you have thoughts, send them in by August 17, 2026—no fees or big changes are happening right now, just a review.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2025-11797, Proposed Information Collection Activity; National Human Trafficking Hotline (NHTH) Performance Indicators
The Administration for Children and Families wants to keep collecting info on how well the National Human Trafficking Hotline is doing for three more years. This helps make sure the hotline stays strong and effective in helping people. No changes to the forms are planned, and the current approval lasts until October 31, 2025.
Next: 2025-11800, Notice of Proposed CERCLA De Minimis Contributor Administrative Settlement Agreement and Order on Consent
The EPA is teaming up with five companies to settle cleanup responsibilities at the Recycletronics-Akron Farm Superfund Site in Iowa. These companies are considered minor contributors, so the deal helps share cleanup costs fairly without big penalties. This plan moves forward soon, making sure the site gets cleaned up while keeping things fair and on track.