I wrote previously about the patentability issues raised in Genetics Institute, LLC v. Novartis Vaccines & Diagnostics, Inc., and Novartis’ ability to rely on unexpected results discovered after the filing date to support non-obviousness. Here, I look at another interesting issue in the case, related to the scope of a patent term extension under 35 USC § 156 and district court jurisdiction under 35 USC § 291.
The Technology At Issue
The technology at issue relates to truncated forms of Factor VIII, an essential blood-clotting protein. As explained in the Federal Circuit opinion, the proper functioning of Factor VIII depends on its ability to bind another protein, von Willedbrand factor (“vWF”), although Factor VIII can exhibit a procoagulant effect without complexing to vWF. Truncated forms of Factor VIII are based on the discovery that certain portions of the protein are not required for its procoagulant activity, and that region a3 is critical to vWF binding.
