blank Quick help
blank Maintenance news

Scheduled maintenance

Regular maintenance outages:
between 05.00 and 05.15 hrs CET (Monday to Sunday).

Other outages
Availability
Register Forum

2022.02.11

More...
blank News flashes

News Flashes

New version of the European Patent Register – SPC proceedings information in the Unitary Patent Register.

2024-07-24

More...
blank Related links

Release notes
European Patent Register Assistant
European Patent Register Resource Book
European Patent Register – pocket guide
FAQ - European Patent Register
FAQ - Register Alert
Federated Register (Flyer)
Global Dossier (Flyer)
Register events
Deep link coverage
Federated Register content
The Patent Information Tour
Fair use charter

Extract from the Register of European Patents

EP About this file: EP3492084

EP3492084 - TREATMENT OF PULMONARY ARTERIAL HYPERTENSION WITH PROSTACYCLIN-TREATED ENDOTHELIAL PROGENITOR CELLS [Right-click to bookmark this link]
StatusNo opposition filed within time limit
Status updated on  24.12.2021
Database last updated on 27.07.2024
FormerThe patent has been granted
Status updated on  15.01.2021
FormerGrant of patent is intended
Status updated on  31.08.2020
FormerExamination is in progress
Status updated on  13.01.2020
FormerRequest for examination was made
Status updated on  03.05.2019
Most recent event   Tooltip14.06.2024Lapse of the patent in a contracting state
New state(s): TR		published on 17.07.2024  [2024/29]
Applicant(s)For all designated states
United Therapeutics Corporation
1040 Spring Street
Silver Spring, MD 20910 / US
[2019/23]
Inventor(s)01 / Jeffs, Roger
3410 Forest Oaks Drive
Chapel Hill, NC North Carolina 27514 / US
02 / Petersen, Thomas
4315 Peachway Drive
Durham, NC North Carolina 27705 / US
03 / Ilagan, Roger M.
2022 Sinclair Trace
Burlington, NC North Carolina 27215 / US
04 / Wade, Michael
714 Old Stone House Road
Chapel Hill, NC North Carolina 27516 / US
 [2019/23]
Representative(s)Hoffmann Eitle
Patent- und Rechtsanwälte PartmbB
Arabellastraße 30
81925 München / DE
[2019/23]
Application number, filing date18212217.630.07.2013
[2019/23]
Priority number, dateUS201261678208P01.08.2012         Original published format: US 201261678208 P
US201361750458P09.01.2013         Original published format: US 201361750458 P
[2019/23]
Filing languageEN
Procedural languageEN
PublicationType: A1 Application with search report 
No.:EP3492084
Date:05.06.2019
Language:EN
[2019/23]
Type: B1 Patent specification 
No.:EP3492084
Date:17.02.2021
Language:EN
[2021/07]
Search report(s)(Supplementary) European search report - dispatched on:EP07.03.2019
ClassificationIPC:A61K31/5585, A61K35/44, A61K35/28, A61K33/00, A61P9/00, A61P9/12, A61P9/14, A61P11/00, A61P43/00
[2020/38]
CPC:
A61K35/44 (EP,KR,US); A61K31/557 (KR); A61K31/5585 (EP,KR,US);
A61K35/02 (US); A61K35/28 (US); A61K45/06 (KR,US);
A61P11/00 (EP); A61P43/00 (EP); A61P9/00 (EP);
A61P9/12 (EP,KR); A61P9/14 (EP); C12N5/0692 (KR,US);
C12N2501/999 (KR,US); F04C2270/041 (EP,US) (-)
C-Set:
A61K31/5585, A61K2300/00 (EP,US);
A61K35/14, A61K2300/00 (US);
A61K35/44, A61K2300/00 (US,EP)
Former IPC [2019/23]A61K31/5585, A61P9/00
Designated contracting statesAL,   AT,   BE,   BG,   CH,   CY,   CZ,   DE,   DK,   EE,   ES,   FI,   FR,   GB,   GR,   HR,   HU,   IE,   IS,   IT,   LI,   LT,   LU,   LV,   MC,   MK,   MT,   NL,   NO,   PL,   PT,   RO,   RS,   SE,   SI,   SK,   SM,   TR [2019/23]
TitleGerman:BEHANDLUNG VON LUNGENARTERIENHOCHDRUCK MIT PROSTACYCLINBEHANDELTEN ENDOTHELVORLÄUFERZELLEN[2019/23]
English:TREATMENT OF PULMONARY ARTERIAL HYPERTENSION WITH PROSTACYCLIN-TREATED ENDOTHELIAL PROGENITOR CELLS[2019/23]
French:TRAITEMENT DE L'HYPERTENSION ARTÉRIELLE PULMONAIRE AVEC DES CELLULES PROGÉNITRICES ENDOTHÉLIALES TRAITÉES À LA PROSTACYCLINE[2019/23]
Examination procedure13.12.2018Examination requested  [2019/23]
22.10.2019Amendment by applicant (claims and/or description)
16.01.2020Despatch of a communication from the examining division (Time limit: M06)
24.07.2020Reply to a communication from the examining division
01.09.2020Communication of intention to grant the patent
08.01.2021Fee for grant paid
08.01.2021Fee for publishing/printing paid
08.01.2021Receipt of the translation of the claim(s)
Parent application(s)   TooltipEP13824807.5  / EP2879684
Opposition(s)18.11.2021No opposition filed within time limit [2022/04]
Fees paidRenewal fee
13.12.2018Renewal fee patent year 03
13.12.2018Renewal fee patent year 04
13.12.2018Renewal fee patent year 05
13.12.2018Renewal fee patent year 06
15.07.2019Renewal fee patent year 07
14.07.2020Renewal fee patent year 08
Opt-out from the exclusive  Tooltip
competence of the Unified
Patent Court		 See the Register of the Unified Patent Court for opt-out data
Responsibility for the accuracy, completeness or quality of the data displayed under the link provided lies entirely with the Unified Patent Court.
Lapses during opposition  TooltipHU30.07.2013
AL17.02.2021
AT17.02.2021
CY17.02.2021
CZ17.02.2021
DK17.02.2021
EE17.02.2021
FI17.02.2021
HR17.02.2021
LT17.02.2021
LV17.02.2021
MC17.02.2021
MK17.02.2021
NL17.02.2021
PL17.02.2021
RO17.02.2021
RS17.02.2021
SE17.02.2021
SI17.02.2021
SK17.02.2021
SM17.02.2021
TR17.02.2021
BG17.05.2021
NO17.05.2021
GR18.05.2021
IS17.06.2021
PT17.06.2021
IE30.07.2021
LU30.07.2021
BE31.07.2021
CH31.07.2021
LI31.07.2021
[2024/29]
Former [2024/23]HU30.07.2013
AL17.02.2021
AT17.02.2021
CY17.02.2021
CZ17.02.2021
DK17.02.2021
EE17.02.2021
FI17.02.2021
HR17.02.2021
LT17.02.2021
LV17.02.2021
MC17.02.2021
MK17.02.2021
NL17.02.2021
PL17.02.2021
RO17.02.2021
RS17.02.2021
SE17.02.2021
SI17.02.2021
SK17.02.2021
SM17.02.2021
BG17.05.2021
NO17.05.2021
GR18.05.2021
IS17.06.2021
PT17.06.2021
IE30.07.2021
LU30.07.2021
BE31.07.2021
CH31.07.2021
LI31.07.2021
Former [2023/33]HU30.07.2013
AL17.02.2021
AT17.02.2021
CY17.02.2021
CZ17.02.2021
DK17.02.2021
EE17.02.2021
FI17.02.2021
HR17.02.2021
LT17.02.2021
LV17.02.2021
MC17.02.2021
NL17.02.2021
PL17.02.2021
RO17.02.2021
RS17.02.2021
SE17.02.2021
SI17.02.2021
SK17.02.2021
SM17.02.2021
BG17.05.2021
NO17.05.2021
GR18.05.2021
IS17.06.2021
PT17.06.2021
IE30.07.2021
LU30.07.2021
BE31.07.2021
CH31.07.2021
LI31.07.2021
Former [2023/30]AL17.02.2021
AT17.02.2021
CY17.02.2021
CZ17.02.2021
DK17.02.2021
EE17.02.2021
FI17.02.2021
HR17.02.2021
LT17.02.2021
LV17.02.2021
MC17.02.2021
NL17.02.2021
PL17.02.2021
RO17.02.2021
RS17.02.2021
SE17.02.2021
SI17.02.2021
SK17.02.2021
SM17.02.2021
BG17.05.2021
NO17.05.2021
GR18.05.2021
IS17.06.2021
PT17.06.2021
IE30.07.2021
LU30.07.2021
BE31.07.2021
CH31.07.2021
LI31.07.2021
Former [2022/35]AL17.02.2021
AT17.02.2021
CZ17.02.2021
DK17.02.2021
EE17.02.2021
FI17.02.2021
HR17.02.2021
LT17.02.2021
LV17.02.2021
MC17.02.2021
NL17.02.2021
PL17.02.2021
RO17.02.2021
RS17.02.2021
SE17.02.2021
SI17.02.2021
SK17.02.2021
SM17.02.2021
BG17.05.2021
NO17.05.2021
GR18.05.2021
IS17.06.2021
PT17.06.2021
IE30.07.2021
LU30.07.2021
BE31.07.2021
CH31.07.2021
LI31.07.2021
Former [2022/34]AL17.02.2021
AT17.02.2021
CZ17.02.2021
DK17.02.2021
EE17.02.2021
FI17.02.2021
HR17.02.2021
LT17.02.2021
LV17.02.2021
MC17.02.2021
NL17.02.2021
PL17.02.2021
RO17.02.2021
RS17.02.2021
SE17.02.2021
SI17.02.2021
SK17.02.2021
SM17.02.2021
BG17.05.2021
NO17.05.2021
GR18.05.2021
IS17.06.2021
PT17.06.2021
LU30.07.2021
BE31.07.2021
CH31.07.2021
LI31.07.2021
Former [2022/23]AL17.02.2021
AT17.02.2021
CZ17.02.2021
DK17.02.2021
EE17.02.2021
FI17.02.2021
HR17.02.2021
LT17.02.2021
LV17.02.2021
MC17.02.2021
NL17.02.2021
PL17.02.2021
RO17.02.2021
RS17.02.2021
SE17.02.2021
SI17.02.2021
SK17.02.2021
SM17.02.2021
BG17.05.2021
NO17.05.2021
GR18.05.2021
IS17.06.2021
PT17.06.2021
LU30.07.2021
CH31.07.2021
LI31.07.2021
Former [2022/21]AL17.02.2021
AT17.02.2021
CZ17.02.2021
DK17.02.2021
EE17.02.2021
FI17.02.2021
HR17.02.2021
LT17.02.2021
LV17.02.2021
MC17.02.2021
NL17.02.2021
PL17.02.2021
RO17.02.2021
RS17.02.2021
SE17.02.2021
SI17.02.2021
SK17.02.2021
SM17.02.2021
BG17.05.2021
NO17.05.2021
GR18.05.2021
PT17.06.2021
CH31.07.2021
LI31.07.2021
Former [2022/18]AL17.02.2021
AT17.02.2021
CZ17.02.2021
DK17.02.2021
EE17.02.2021
FI17.02.2021
HR17.02.2021
LT17.02.2021
LV17.02.2021
MC17.02.2021
NL17.02.2021
PL17.02.2021
RO17.02.2021
RS17.02.2021
SE17.02.2021
SI17.02.2021
SK17.02.2021
SM17.02.2021
BG17.05.2021
NO17.05.2021
GR18.05.2021
PT17.06.2021
Former [2022/13]AL17.02.2021
AT17.02.2021
CZ17.02.2021
DK17.02.2021
EE17.02.2021
FI17.02.2021
HR17.02.2021
LT17.02.2021
LV17.02.2021
NL17.02.2021
PL17.02.2021
RO17.02.2021
RS17.02.2021
SE17.02.2021
SI17.02.2021
SK17.02.2021
SM17.02.2021
BG17.05.2021
NO17.05.2021
GR18.05.2021
PT17.06.2021
Former [2022/10]AL17.02.2021
AT17.02.2021
CZ17.02.2021
DK17.02.2021
EE17.02.2021
FI17.02.2021
HR17.02.2021
LT17.02.2021
LV17.02.2021
NL17.02.2021
PL17.02.2021
RO17.02.2021
RS17.02.2021
SE17.02.2021
SK17.02.2021
SM17.02.2021
BG17.05.2021
NO17.05.2021
GR18.05.2021
PT17.06.2021
Former [2022/07]AL17.02.2021
AT17.02.2021
CZ17.02.2021
DK17.02.2021
EE17.02.2021
FI17.02.2021
HR17.02.2021
LT17.02.2021
LV17.02.2021
NL17.02.2021
PL17.02.2021
RO17.02.2021
RS17.02.2021
SE17.02.2021
SK17.02.2021
SM17.02.2021
BG17.05.2021
NO17.05.2021
GR18.05.2021
IS17.06.2021
PT17.06.2021
Former [2021/50]AT17.02.2021
CZ17.02.2021
DK17.02.2021
EE17.02.2021
FI17.02.2021
HR17.02.2021
LT17.02.2021
LV17.02.2021
NL17.02.2021
PL17.02.2021
RO17.02.2021
RS17.02.2021
SE17.02.2021
SK17.02.2021
SM17.02.2021
BG17.05.2021
NO17.05.2021
GR18.05.2021
IS17.06.2021
PT17.06.2021
Former [2021/49]AT17.02.2021
CZ17.02.2021
DK17.02.2021
EE17.02.2021
FI17.02.2021
HR17.02.2021
LT17.02.2021
LV17.02.2021
NL17.02.2021
PL17.02.2021
RS17.02.2021
SE17.02.2021
SM17.02.2021
BG17.05.2021
NO17.05.2021
GR18.05.2021
IS17.06.2021
PT17.06.2021
Former [2021/48]AT17.02.2021
CZ17.02.2021
EE17.02.2021
FI17.02.2021
HR17.02.2021
LT17.02.2021
LV17.02.2021
NL17.02.2021
PL17.02.2021
RS17.02.2021
SE17.02.2021
SM17.02.2021
BG17.05.2021
NO17.05.2021
GR18.05.2021
IS17.06.2021
PT17.06.2021
Former [2021/46]AT17.02.2021
FI17.02.2021
HR17.02.2021
LT17.02.2021
LV17.02.2021
NL17.02.2021
PL17.02.2021
RS17.02.2021
SE17.02.2021
SM17.02.2021
BG17.05.2021
NO17.05.2021
GR18.05.2021
IS17.06.2021
PT17.06.2021
Former [2021/42]FI17.02.2021
HR17.02.2021
LT17.02.2021
LV17.02.2021
NL17.02.2021
PL17.02.2021
RS17.02.2021
SE17.02.2021
BG17.05.2021
NO17.05.2021
GR18.05.2021
IS17.06.2021
PT17.06.2021
Former [2021/39]FI17.02.2021
HR17.02.2021
LT17.02.2021
LV17.02.2021
NL17.02.2021
PL17.02.2021
RS17.02.2021
SE17.02.2021
BG17.05.2021
NO17.05.2021
GR18.05.2021
PT17.06.2021
Former [2021/38]FI17.02.2021
HR17.02.2021
LT17.02.2021
LV17.02.2021
NL17.02.2021
RS17.02.2021
SE17.02.2021
BG17.05.2021
NO17.05.2021
GR18.05.2021
PT17.06.2021
Former [2021/37]FI17.02.2021
HR17.02.2021
LT17.02.2021
LV17.02.2021
RS17.02.2021
BG17.05.2021
NO17.05.2021
GR18.05.2021
PT17.06.2021
Former [2021/36]FI17.02.2021
HR17.02.2021
LT17.02.2021
BG17.05.2021
NO17.05.2021
GR18.05.2021
PT17.06.2021
Former [2021/35]FI17.02.2021
HR17.02.2021
LT17.02.2021
NO17.05.2021
PT17.06.2021
Former [2021/33]FI17.02.2021
LT17.02.2021
NO17.05.2021
PT17.06.2021
Documents cited:Search[Y]US2008050349  (STEWART DUNCAN J [CA]) [Y] 1-13 * example 14 * * paragraphs [0015] - [0028] - [0048] , [0063] , [0064] - [0068] *;
 [Y]WO2009057313  (NAT UNIVERSITY CORP ASAHIKAWA [JP], et al) [Y] 1-13 * paragraphs [0021] - [0027] *;
 [A]US2009177262  (OBERTI CARLOS [US], et al) [A] 1-13 * abstract *;
 [A]US2012172970  (COTTONE JR ROBERT JOHN [US], et al) [A] 1-13 * the whole document *;
 [I]  - DAVID M SMADJA ET AL, "Treprostinil increases the number and angiogenic potential of endothelial progenitor cells in children with pulmonary hypertension", ANGIOGENESIS, KLUWER ACADEMIC PUBLISHERS, DO, (20101104), vol. 14, no. 1, doi:10.1007/S10456-010-9192-Y, ISSN 1573-7209, pages 17 - 27, XP019883567 [I] 1-13 * abstract *

DOI:   http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10456-010-9192-y
 [IY]  - BARST ET AL, "Is it Possible to Reverse the Endothelial Dysfunction in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension?", JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN COLLEGE OF CARDIOLOGY, ELSEVIER, NEW YORK, NY, US, (20070403), vol. 49, no. 14, doi:10.1016/J.JACC.2007.01.054, ISSN 0735-1097, pages 1572 - 1574, XP022016288 [I] 1-13 * the whole document * [Y] 1-13

DOI:   http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jacc.2007.01.054
 [YD]  - WANG ET AL, "Transplantation of Autologous Endothelial Progenitor Cells May Be Beneficial in Patients With Idiopathic Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension", JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN COLLEGE OF CARDIOLOGY, ELSEVIER, NEW YORK, NY, US, (20070403), vol. 49, no. 14, doi:10.1016/J.JACC.2006.12.037, ISSN 0735-1097, pages 1566 - 1571, XP022016287 [YD] 1-13 * the whole document *

DOI:   http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jacc.2006.12.037
 [A]  - ALLISON N LAU ET AL, "Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine in Lung Biology and Diseases", MOLECULAR THERAPY, GB, (20120306), vol. 20, no. 6, doi:10.1038/mt.2012.37, ISSN 1525-0016, pages 1116 - 1130, XP055246435 [A] 1-13 * the whole document * * page 1121 - page 1122 *

DOI:   http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/mt.2012.37
 [Y]  - RUAN CHENG-HUAI ET AL, Prostacyclin therapy for pulmonary arterial hypertension., TEXAS HEART INSTITUTE JOURNAL / FROM THE TEXAS HEART INSTITUTE OF ST. LUKE'S EPISCOPAL HOSPITAL, TEXAS CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL 2010, VOL. 37, NR. 4, PAGE(S) 391 - 399, (2010), ISSN 1526-6702, XP055246337 [Y] 1-13 * pages 391, 395 *
 [A]  - S. M. HALL ET AL, "Endothelin receptor expression in idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension: effect of bosentan and epoprostenol treatment", EUROPEAN RESPIRATORY JOURNAL, (20110315), vol. 38, no. 4, doi:10.1183/09031936.00167010, ISSN 0903-1936, pages 851 - 860, XP055190612 [A] 1-13 * abstract *

DOI:   http://dx.doi.org/10.1183/09031936.00167010
 [Y]  - S. UMAR ET AL, "Novel Approaches to Treat Experimental Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: A Review", JOURNAL OF BIOMEDICINE AND BIOTECHNOLOGY, (20100101), vol. 8, no. 1, doi:10.1155/2010/702836, ISSN 1110-7243, pages 8 - 11, XP055246353 [Y] 1-13 * page 6 - page 8 *

DOI:   http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2010/702836
 [Y]  - QI LIU ET AL, "Engineered endothelial progenitor cells that overexpress prostacyclin protect vascular cells", JOURNAL OF CELLULAR PHYSIOLOGY, US, (20120320), vol. 227, no. 7, doi:10.1002/jcp.23035, ISSN 0021-9541, pages 2907 - 2916, XP055233532 [Y] 1-13 * the whole document *

DOI:   http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/jcp.23035
 [Y]  - T. HE ET AL, "Angiogenic Function of Prostacyclin Biosynthesis in Human Endothelial Progenitor Cells", CIRCULATION RESEARCH, US, (20080703), vol. 103, no. 1, doi:10.1161/CIRCRESAHA.108.176057, ISSN 0009-7330, pages 80 - 88, XP055279086 [Y] 1-13 * abstract * * page 5 *

DOI:   http://dx.doi.org/10.1161/CIRCRESAHA.108.176057
 [Y]  - ROSSELLA DI STEFANO ET AL, "The prostacyclin analogue Iloprost increases circulating endothelial progenitor cells in patients with critical limb ischemia", THROMBOSIS AND HAEMOSTASIS, DE, (20081013), vol. 100, no. 5, doi:10.1160/TH07-08-0509, ISSN 0340-6245, pages 871 - 877, XP055279125 [Y] 1-13 * the whole document *

DOI:   http://dx.doi.org/10.1160/TH07-08-0509
by applicantUS4352883
 US4353888
 US4714680
 US4965204
 US4968733
 US4976859
 US5026365
 US5035994
 US5071741
 US5084350
 WO9204033
 US5130144
 US5137809
 US5158881
 WO9219195
 WO9314191
 US5284761
 WO9505452
 WO9507611
 WO9627287
 WO9629862
 WO9814058
 US5750397
 US5800828
    - M. HUMBERT et al., J. Am. Coll. Cardiol., (20040000), vol. 43, pages 13S - 24S
    - G. E. D'ALONZO et al., Ann. Intern. Med., (19910000), vol. 115, pages 343 - 349
    - ASHARA et al., Science, (19970000), vol. 275, page 964
    - MUROHARA et al., J. Clin. Invest., (20000000), vol. 105, no. 11, pages 1527 - 36
    - RISAU, Nature, (19970000), vol. 386, no. 6626, pages 671 - 4
    - RISAU, FASEB J., (19950000), vol. 9, no. 10, pages 926 - 33
    - RISAU et al., Development, (19880000), vol. 102, no. 3, pages 471 - 8
    - FLAMME et al., Development, (19920000), vol. 116, no. 2, pages 435 - 9
    - HATZOPOULOS et al., Development, (19980000), vol. 125, no. 8, pages 1457 - 68
    - DOYLE et al., Endothelium, (20060000), vol. 13, no. 6, pages 403 - 10
    - RIBATTI, Leuk Res., (20070000), vol. 4, pages 439 - 44
    - TAKAHASHI et al., Nat Med., (19990000), vol. 5, no. 4, pages 434 - 8
    - ISNER; ASAHARA, J Clin Invest., (19990000), vol. 103, no. 9, pages 1231 - 6
    - Essential Molecular Biology: A Practical Approach, IRL Press, (19910000), vol. 1, 2
    - DNA Cloning: A Practical Approach, IRL Press, (19950000), vol. 1-4
    - Current Protocols in Immunology, John Wiley & Sons
    - SMARDJA et al., Angiogenesis, (20110000), vol. 14, no. 1, pages 17 - 27
    - HILL et al., N. Engl. J. Med., (20030000), vol. 348, pages 593 - 600
    - ASSMUS et al., Circulation, (20020000), vol. 106, pages 3009 - 16
    - WANG et al., J. Am. Coll. Cardiol., (20070000), vol. 49, pages 1566 - 71
    - KALKA et al., P.N.A.S., (20000000), vol. 97, pages 3422 - 7
    - YODER et al., Blood, (20070000), vol. 109, pages 1801 - 1809
    - INGRAM et al., Blood, (20040000), vol. 104, pages 2752 - 2760
    - KARLSSON et al., Biophysical J., (19930000), vol. 65, pages 2524 - 2536
    - ZHAO et al., Circ. Res., (20050000), vol. 96, pages 442 - 450
    - NAGAYA et al., Circulation, (20030000), vol. 108, pages 889 - 895
    - GRUBER, Transplantation, (19920000), vol. 54, pages 1 - 11
    - SMITHIES et al., Nature, (19850000), vol. 317, pages 230 - 234
    - ZHENG et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci., (19910000), vol. 88, pages 8067 - 8071
    - HU et al., Frontiers in Genetics, (20120000), vol. 2, no. 56, pages 1 - 9
 WO1999US24630
The EPO accepts no responsibility for the accuracy of data originating from other authorities; in particular, it does not guarantee that it is complete, up to date or fit for specific purposes.