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Extract from the Register of European Patents

EP About this file: EP1121015

EP1121015 - METHOD FOR VITRIFICATION OF A BIOLOGICAL SPECIMEN [Right-click to bookmark this link]
StatusPatent maintained as amended
Status updated on  06.01.2012
Database last updated on 11.04.2026
Most recent event   Tooltip03.08.2012Lapse of the patent in a contracting state
State(s) deleted from list of lapses: GR		published on 05.09.2012  [2012/36]
Applicant(s)For all designated states
Forest, Katrina T.
1720 Vilas Avenue
Madison, WI 53711 / US
For all designated states
Lane, Michelle T.
Apartment 324, 1661 West Canal Court
Littleton, CO 80120 / US
[2012/06]
Former [2001/32]For all designated states
Forest, Katrina T.
1720 Vilas Avenue
Madison, WI 53711 / US
For all designated states
Lane, Michelle T.
Apartment 324, 1661 West Canal Court
Littleton, CO 80120 / US
Inventor(s)01 / see applicant
...
 [2001/32]
Representative(s)Dean, John Paul, et al
Withers & Rogers LLP
4 More London Riverside
London SE1 2AU / GB
[N/P]
Former [2008/35]Dean, John Paul, et al
Withers & Rogers LLP Goldings House 2 Hays Lane London
SE1 2HW / GB
Former [2007/18]Dean, John Paul, et al
Withers & Rogers LLP Goldings House 2 Hays Lane
London SE1 2HW / GB
Former [2006/15]Bergstrand, Mikael Gudmundsson, et al
Albihns GmbH Bayerstrasse 83
80335 München / DE
Former [2001/32]Bergstrand, Mikael Gudmundsson, et al
Albihns Stockholm AB P.O. Box 5581
114 85 Stockholm / SE
Application number, filing date99951907.713.10.1999
[2001/32]
WO1999US23628
Priority number, dateUS19980104266P14.10.1998         Original published format: US 104266 P
[2001/32]
Filing languageEN
Procedural languageEN
PublicationType: A1 Application with search report
No.:WO0021365
Date:20.04.2000
Language:EN
[2000/16]
Type: A1 Application with search report 
No.:EP1121015
Date:08.08.2001
Language:EN
The application published by WIPO in one of the EPO official languages on 20.04.2000 takes the place of the publication of the European patent application.
[2001/32]
Type: B1 Patent specification 
No.:EP1121015
Date:26.11.2003
Language:EN
[2003/48]
Type: B2 New European patent specification 
No.:EP1121015
Date:08.02.2012
Language:EN
[2012/06]
Search report(s)International search report - published on:US20.04.2000
(Supplementary) European search report - dispatched on:EP28.03.2002
ClassificationIPC:A01N1/02
[2001/32]
CPC:
A01N1/146 (EP,US); A01N1/10 (EP,US); A01N1/125 (EP,US);
A01N1/147 (EP,US); Y10S435/975 (EP,US)
Designated contracting statesAT,   BE,   CH,   CY,   DE,   DK,   ES,   FI,   FR,   GB,   GR,   IE,   IT,   LI,   LU,   MC,   NL,   PT,   SE [2001/32]
TitleGerman:VERFAHREN ZUR VERGLASUNG EINER BIOLOGISCHEN PROBE[2001/32]
English:METHOD FOR VITRIFICATION OF A BIOLOGICAL SPECIMEN[2001/32]
French:PROCEDE DE VITRIFICATION D'UN SPECIMEN BIOLOGIQUE[2001/32]
Entry into regional phase10.05.2001National basic fee paid 
10.05.2001Search fee paid 
10.05.2001Designation fee(s) paid 
10.05.2001Examination fee paid 
Examination procedure09.05.2000Request for preliminary examination filed
International Preliminary Examining Authority: US
10.05.2001Examination requested  [2001/32]
24.05.2002Amendment by applicant (claims and/or description)
13.09.2002Despatch of a communication from the examining division (Time limit: M04)
09.01.2003Reply to a communication from the examining division
11.04.2003Communication of intention to grant the patent
11.08.2003Fee for grant paid
11.08.2003Fee for publishing/printing paid
Opposition(s)Opponent(s)01  10.04.2004  10.10.2004  DEEMED NOT TO HAVE BEEN FILED
Bernhard Lukas
Scheideckerweg 2
84171 Baierbach / DE
 02  14.08.2004  31.08.2004  ADMISSIBLE
Greenpeace e.V.
Grosse Elbstrasse 39
22767 Hamburg / DE
 03  26.08.2004  06.09.2004  ADMISSIBLE
Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der angewandten Forschung e.V.
Hansastrasse 27c
80686 München / DE
Opponent's representative
Hertz, Oliver
V. Bezold & Partner
Patentanwälte - PartG mbB
Akademiestrasse 7
80799 München / DE
 [N/P]
Former [2005/09]
Opponent(s)01  10.04.2004  10.10.2004  DEEMED NOT TO HAVE BEEN FILED
Bernhard Lukas
Scheideckerweg 2
84171 Baierbach / DE
 02  14.08.2004  31.08.2004  ADMISSIBLE
Greenpeace e.V.
Grosse Elbstrasse 39
22767 Hamburg / DE
 03  26.08.2004  06.09.2004  ADMISSIBLE
Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der angewandten Forschung e.V.
Hansastrasse 27c
80686 München / DE
Opponent's representative
Hertz, Oliver, Dr.
v. Bezold & Sozien Patentanwälte Akademiestrasse 7
80799 München / DE
Former [2004/43]
Opponent(s)01  10.04.2004   
Bernhard Lukas
Scheideckerweg 2
84171 Baierbach / DE
 02  14.08.2004  31.08.2004  ADMISSIBLE
Greenpeace e.V.
Grosse Elbstrasse 39
22767 Hamburg / DE
 03  26.08.2004   
Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der angewandten Forschung e.V.
Hansastrasse 27c
80686 München / DE
Opponent's representative
Hertz, Oliver, Dr.
v. Bezold & Sozien Patentanwälte Akademiestrasse 7
80799 München / DE
Former [2004/41]
Opponent(s)01  10.04.2004   
Bernhard Lukas
Scheideckerweg 2
84171 Baierbach / DE
 02  14.08.2004    ADMISSIBLE
Greenpeace e.V.
Grosse Elbstrasse 39
22767 Hamburg / DE
Former [2004/24]
Opponent(s)01  10.04.2004    DEEMED NOT TO HAVE BEEN FILED
Bernhard Lukas
Scheideckerweg 2
84171 Baierbach / DE
24.08.2004No. 02: Notification indicating deficiencies in the notice of opposition
28.08.2004No. 02: Reply to notification indicating deficiencies in the notice of opposition
30.09.2004Despatch of communication of loss of particular rights: Opposition is deemed not to be filed 01
04.10.2004Invitation to proprietor to file observations on the notice of opposition
10.10.2004Despatch of communication of loss of particular right
04.04.2005Reply of patent proprietor to notice(s) of opposition
19.12.2006Date of oral proceedings
30.01.2007Despatch of minutes of oral proceedings
30.01.2007Despatch of communication that the patent will be revoked
03.08.2010Despatch of a communication from the opposition division (Time limit: M02)
19.08.2010Reply to a communication from the opposition division
16.12.2010Despatch of a communication from the opposition division (Time limit: M02)
30.03.2011Reply to a communication from the opposition division
19.04.2011Despatch of interlocutory decision in opposition
29.04.2011Legal effect of interlocutory decision in opposition
15.09.2011Despatch of communication that the patent will be maintained as amended
08.12.2011Fee for printing new specification paid
Appeal following opposition23.03.2007Appeal received No.  T0506/07
30.05.2007Statement of grounds filed
23.03.2010Result of appeal procedure: maintenance in amended form
23.03.2010Date of oral proceedings
01.04.2010Minutes of the oral proceedings despatched
Fees paidRenewal fee
08.10.2001Renewal fee patent year 03
17.10.2002Renewal fee patent year 04
26.09.2003Renewal fee patent year 05
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  TooltipAT26.11.2003
CH26.11.2003
CY26.11.2003
FI26.11.2003
LI26.11.2003
PT26.04.2004
IE13.10.2004
LU13.10.2004
MC31.10.2004
IT13.10.2005
BE31.10.2005
NL01.05.2006
[2012/36]
Former [2008/24]AT26.11.2003
CH26.11.2003
CY26.11.2003
FI26.11.2003
GR26.11.2003
LI26.11.2003
PT26.04.2004
IE13.10.2004
LU13.10.2004
MC31.10.2004
IT13.10.2005
BE31.10.2005
NL01.05.2006
Former [2008/18]AT26.11.2003
CH26.11.2003
CY26.11.2003
FI26.11.2003
LI26.11.2003
PT26.04.2004
IE13.10.2004
LU13.10.2004
MC31.10.2004
IT13.10.2005
BE31.10.2005
NL01.05.2006
Former [2007/34]AT26.11.2003
CH26.11.2003
CY26.11.2003
FI26.11.2003
LI26.11.2003
IE13.10.2004
LU13.10.2004
MC31.10.2004
IT13.10.2005
BE31.10.2005
NL01.05.2006
Former [2007/23]AT26.11.2003
CH26.11.2003
CY26.11.2003
FI26.11.2003
LI26.11.2003
IE13.10.2004
LU13.10.2004
MC31.10.2004
BE31.10.2005
NL01.05.2006
Former [2006/45]AT26.11.2003
CH26.11.2003
FI26.11.2003
LI26.11.2003
IE13.10.2004
MC31.10.2004
NL01.05.2006
Former [2006/25]AT26.11.2003
CH26.11.2003
FI26.11.2003
LI26.11.2003
IE13.10.2004
MC31.10.2004
Former [2005/45]AT26.11.2003
CH26.11.2003
FI26.11.2003
LI26.11.2003
MC31.10.2004
Former [2004/33]AT26.11.2003
CH26.11.2003
FI26.11.2003
LI26.11.2003
Former [2004/31]AT26.11.2003
FI26.11.2003
Former [2004/26]FI26.11.2003
Documents cited:Search[X] WO9103935  (TSI MASON RESEARCH INST et al.) [X] 1,2,4-8,16,18,20,21,23-25,27-30,32 * page 4, line 4 - line 30 * * page 6, line 9 - line 31 * * page 7, line 13 - line 14 * * page 8, line 10 - line 29; examples 1-5 * * claims 1,2 *
 [X] US5518878  (WILKINS LEON M et al.) [X] 1,4-7,16 * column 2, line 10 - line 45 * * column 5, line 49 - line 67; examples I-III * * claims 1-16 *
 [X]   OTOI T ET AL: "Cryopreservation of mature bovine oocytes by vitrification in straws", CRYOBIOLOGY, vol. 37, 1998, pages 77 - 85, XP001057239 [X] 1,2,4-8,16,18,20,21,23 * page 78, column 2 * * page 79, column 1 - column 2 *

DOI:   http://dx.doi.org/10.1006/cryo.1998.2103
 [X]   MASSIP A., VAN DER ZWALMEN P., ECTORS F.: "Cryoconservation de l'embryon bovin: techniques et rsultats", ANN. MED. VET., vol. 131, 1987, pages 515 - 528, XP001057046 [X] 1,2,4-7,16,18,20,21,23 * Résumé * * page 522 - page 526 *
 [X]   KABOYASHI S ET AL: "Piglets Produced by Transfer of Vitrified Porcine Embryos after Stepwise Dilution of Cryoprotectants", CRYOBIOLOGY, ACADEMIC PRESS INC, US, vol. 36, 1998, pages 20 - 31, XP002947389, ISSN: 0011-2240 [X] 1,2,4-9,16,18,20,21,23-25,27,29,30,32 *Abstract* * page 22, column 1 - column 2 * * page 23, column 1 - column 2 *

DOI:   http://dx.doi.org/10.1006/cryo.1997.2056
 [X]   ZHU S.E., KASAI M., OTOGE H., SAKURAI T., MACHIDA T.: "Cryopreservation of expanded mouse blastocysts by vitrification in ethylene glycol-based solutions", JOURNAL OF REPRODUCTION AND FERTILITY, vol. 98, 1993, pages 139 - 145, XP002191566 [X] 1,2,4-8,16,18,20,21,23-25,27,28 * page 140 - page 141 *

DOI:   http://dx.doi.org/10.1530/jrf.0.0980139
 [X]   W.F. RALL AND G.M. FAHY: "Ice-free cryopreservation of mouse embryos at -196C by vitrification", NATURE, vol. 313, - 14 February 1985 (1985-02-14), pages 573 - 575, XP001061605 [X] 1,2,4-8,16-18,20,21,23-25,27,28 * figure 2 *

DOI:   http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/313573a0
 [X]   ROBERT LANGIS AND PETER L. STEPONKUS: "Cryopreservation of Rye Protoplasts by Vitrification", PLANT PHYSIOLOGY, vol. 92, - 1990, pages 666 - 671, XP001061602 [X] 1,4,5,7,16 * page 667, column 1 - column 2 * * page 668, column 1, paragraph 1 - paragraph 2 *
 [X]   RALL W.F. AND WOOD M.J.: "High in vitro and in vivo survival of day 3 mouse embryos vitrified or frozen in a non-toxic solution of glycerol and albumin", JOURNAL OF REPRODUCTION AND FERTILITY, vol. 101, 1994, pages 681 - 688, XP002191567 [X] 1,2,4-8,16,18,20,21,23-25,27,28 * page 682 - page 684 *

DOI:   http://dx.doi.org/10.1530/jrf.0.1010681
 [X]   TACHIKAWA S., OTOI T., MACHIDA T., KASAI M.: "Successful Vitrification of Bovine Blastocysts, Derived by In Vitro Maturation and Fertilization", MOLECULAR REPRODUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT, vol. 34, 1993, pages 266 - 271, XP002191568 [X] 1,2,4-8,16,18,20,21,23-25,27,28 * page 268, column 1 - column 2 *

DOI:   http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/mrd.1080340306
 [A]   H.KURATA, K. TAKAKUWA & K. TANAKA: "Vitrification of hematopoietic progenitor cells obtained from human cord blood", BONE NARROW TRANSPLANTATION, vol. 14, - 1994, pages 261 - 263, XP002192213 [A] 1-34 * page 261, column 2, paragraph 2 *
International search[X]   DATABASE BIOSIS RIHA ET AL.: "Vitrification of Cattle Embryos by Direct Dropping into Liquid Nitrogen and Embryo Survival after Nonsurgical transfer", XP003010402 [X]
 [X]   ZIVOCISNA VYROBA, vol. 36, no. 2, 1991, pages 113 - 119
 [X]   MARTINO ET AL.: "Development into Blastocysts of Bovine Oocytes Cryopreserved by Ultra-Rapid Cooling", BIOLOGY OF REPRODUCTION, vol. 54, 1996, pages 1059 - 1069, XP002923298 [X]

DOI:   http://dx.doi.org/10.1095/biolreprod54.5.1059
 [X]   SZELL ET AL.: "Rapid Cryopreservation of Sheep Embryos by Direct Transfer into Liquid Nitrogen Vapour at -180C", REPRODUCTION, FERTILITY AND DEVELOPMENT, vol. 2, 1990, pages 613 - 618, XP002923299 [X]

DOI:   http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/RD9900613
 [X]   VAJTA ET AL.: "Vitrification of Porcine Embryos using the Open Pulled Straw (OPS) Method", ACTA VETERINARIA SCANDINAVICA, vol. 38, no. 4, 1997, pages 349 - 352, XP002923300 [X]
by applicant  GARDNER ET AL., HUM. REPROD., vol. 13, 1998, pages 3434 - 40 [X]
   GARDNER, HUM. REPROD., vol. 13, 1998, pages 3434 - 40
OppositionDE9109683
 DE3912723
   SEAN PARKIN AND HAKON HOPE: "Journal of Applied Crystallogra phy 31", 1998, pages: 945 - 953 [X] 1,2,4-8,16,18,20,21,23 * page 78, column 2 * * page 79, column 1 - column 2 *
   HAKON HOPE: "Acta Crystallographica", vol. 44, 1988, pages: 22 - 26 [X] 1,2,4-7,16,18,20,21,23 * Résumé * * page 522 - page 526 *
   MICHELLE LANE,BARRY D.BAVISTER, ELISABETH A.LYONS,AND KATRINA T.FOREST: "Nature Biotechnology", vol. 17, 1999, pages: 1234 - 1236 [X] 1,2,4-9,16,18,20,21,23-25,27,29,30,32 *Abstract* * page 22, column 1 - column 2 * * page 23, column 1 - column 2 *
   "Theriogenology", vol. 55, 2001, pages: 607 - 613 [X] 1,2,4-8,16,18,20,21,23-25,27,28 * page 140 - page 141 *
   MICHELLE LANE, WILLIAM B.SCHOOLCRAFT,M.D.,AND DAVID K.GRDNER, DR.PHIL, vol. 72, 1999, pages: 1073 - 1078 [X] 1,2,4-8,16-18,20,21,23-25,27,28 * figure 2 *
   "Theriogenology", vol. 51, 1999 [X] 1,4,5,7,16 * page 667, column 1 - column 2 * * page 668, column 1, paragraph 1 - paragraph 2 *
   DAVID W. RODGERS: "Methods of Enzymol", vol. 276, 1997, pages: 183 - 203 [X] 1,2,4-8,16,18,20,21,23-25,27,28 * page 682 - page 684 *
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.