`
`UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
`
`UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
`United States Patent and Trademark Office
`Address: COMMISSIONER FOR PATENTS
`P.O. Box 1450
`Alexandria1 Virginia 22313— 1450
`wwwnsptogov
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`11/273,575
`
`11/15/2005
`
`Paul Jonathan Harrison
`
`2476.0060000/RWE/JSO
`
`3339
`
`26111
`
`7590
`
`04/15/2009
`
`stNE, KESSLER, Gomsmmmx 1311c.
`1100 NEW YORK AVENUE, N.W.
`WASHINGTON, DC 20005
`
`ART UNIT
`
`1618
`
`MAIL DATE
`
`04/ 1 5/2009
`
`VU, JAKE MINH
`PAPER NUMBER
`
`DELIVERY MODE
`
`PAPER
`
`Please find below and/or attached an Office communication concerning this application or proceeding.
`
`The time period for reply, if any, is set in the attached communication.
`
`PTOL—90A (Rev. 04/07)
`
`
`
`
`
`Office Action Summary
`
`Application No.
`
`Applicant(s)
`
`11/273,575
`
`Examiner
`
`HARRISON ET AL.
`
`Art Unit
`
`-- The MAILING DA TE of this communication appears on the cover sheet with the correspondence address --
`Period for Reply
`
`A SHORTENED STATUTORY PERIOD FOR REPLY IS SET TO EXPIRE 1 MONTH(S) OR THIRTY (30) DAYS,
`WHICHEVER IS LONGER, FROM THE MAILING DATE OF THIS COMMUNICATION
`Extensions of time may be available under the provisions of 37 CFR 1.136(a).
`In no event however may a reply be timely filed
`after SIX (6) MONTHS from the mailing date of this communication.
`If NO period for reply is specified above, the maximum statutory period will apply and will expire SIX (6) MONTHS from the mailing date of this communication.
`-
`- Failure to reply within the set or extended period for reply will, by statute, cause the application to become ABANDONED (35 U.S.C. § 133).
`Any reply received by the Office later than three months after the mailing date of this communication, even if timely filed, may reduce any
`earned patent term adjustment. See 37 CFR 1.704(b).
`
`Status
`
`1)IXI Responsive to communication(s) filed on 15 November 2005.
`
`2a)I:I This action is FINAL.
`
`2b)I:I This action is non-final.
`
`3)I:I Since this application is in condition for allowance except for formal matters, prosecution as to the merits is
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`closed in accordance with the practice under EX parte Quayle, 1935 CD. 11, 453 O.G. 213.
`
`Disposition of Claims
`
`4)IZI Claim(s) fl is/are pending in the application.
`
`4a) Of the above Claim(s)
`
`is/are withdrawn from consideration.
`
`5)I:I Claim(s) _ is/are allowed.
`
`6)I:I Claim(s) _ is/are rejected.
`
`7)I:I Claim(s)
`
`is/are objected to.
`
`8)IXI Claim(s) Q are subject to restriction and/or election requirement.
`
`Application Papers
`
`9)I:I The specification is objected to by the Examiner.
`
`
`
`10)I:I The drawing(s) filed on
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`is/are: a)I:I accepted or b)I:I objected to by the Examiner.
`
`Applicant may not request that any objection to the drawing(s) be held in abeyance. See 37 CFR 1.85(a).
`
`Replacement drawing sheet(s) including the correction is required if the drawing(s) is objected to. See 37 CFR 1.121(d).
`
`11)I:I The oath or declaration is objected to by the Examiner. Note the attached Office Action or form PTO-152.
`
`Priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119
`
`12)I:I Acknowledgment is made of a claim for foreign priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(a)—(d) or (f).
`
`a)I:I All
`
`b)I:I Some * c)I:I None of:
`
`Certified copies of the priority documents have been received.
`
`Certified copies of the priority documents have been received in Application No.
`
`Copies of the certified copies of the priority documents have been received in this National Stage
`
`application from the International Bureau (PCT Rule 17.2(a)).
`
`* See the attached detailed Office action for a list of the certified copies not received.
`
`Attach ment(s)
`
`1) D Notice of References Cited (PTO-892)
`2) D Notice of Draftsperson‘s Patent Drawing Review (PTO-948)
`3) |:| Information Disclosure Statement(s) (PTO/SB/08)
`Paper No(s)/Mai| Date
`.
`U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
`
`4) D Interview Summary (PTO-413)
`Paper No(s)/Mai| Date. _
`5) I:I Notice of Informal Patent Application
`6) D Other:
`
`PTOL-326 (Rev. 08-06)
`
`Office Action Summary
`
`Part of Paper No./Mai| Date 2009041 1
`
`
`
`Application/Control Number: 11/273,575
`
`Page 2
`
`Art Unit: 1618
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`DETAILED ACTION
`
`Election/Restrictions
`
`Restriction to one of the following inventions is required under 35 U.S.C. 121:
`
`Claims 1-9, drawn to a composition that is basic, classified in class 514,
`
`subclass 412.
`
`Claims 10-17, drawn to a composition that displays a major degradation to
`
`ramiprilat, classified in class 548, subclass 401.
`
`Claims 18-22, drawn to a composition that demonstrates no degradation
`
`to ramipril diketopiperazine during storage, classified in class 424,
`
`subclass 400.
`
`IV.
`
`Claim 23, drawn to a method of treating or preventing a disease, classified
`
`in class 514, subclass 412.
`
`Claim 24, drawn to a therapeutic package, classified in class 424,
`
`subclass 464.
`
`VI.
`
`Claims 25-29, drawn to a method of manufacturing ramipril formulation,
`
`classified in class 548, subclass 401.
`
`The inventions are distinct, each from the other because of the following reasons:
`
`Inventions H” and V are unrelated.
`
`Inventions are unrelated if it can be shown
`
`that they are not disclosed as capable of use together and they have different designs,
`
`modes of operation, and effects (MPEP § 802.01 and § 806.06).
`
`In the instant case, the
`
`
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`Application/Control Number: 11/273,575
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`Page 3
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`Art Unit: 1618
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`different inventions have different effects, such as basic, degrades to ramiprilat, and no
`
`degradation to ramipril diketopiperazine, a therapeutic kit.
`
`Inventions HM and IV are related as product and process of use. The inventions
`
`can be shown to be distinct if either or both of the following can be shown: (1) the
`
`process for using the product as claimed can be practiced with another materially
`
`different product or (2) the product as claimed can be used in a materially different
`
`process of using that product. See MPEP § 806.05(h).
`
`In the instant case the product
`
`could be used for materially different processes, such as treating kidney or treating
`
`hypertension.
`
`Inventions H”, V and VI are related as process of making and product made.
`
`The inventions are distinct if either or both of the following can be shown: (1) that the
`
`process as claimed can be used to make another and materially different product or (2)
`
`that the product as claimed can be made by another and materially different process
`
`(MPEP § 806.05(f)).
`
`In the instant case the product could be made by materially
`
`different processes, such as wet granulation, or dry granulation.
`
`Restriction for examination purposes as indicated is proper because all these
`
`inventions listed in this action are independent or distinct for the reasons given above
`
`fl there would be a serious search and examination burden if restriction were not
`
`required because one or more of the following reasons apply:
`
`(a) the inventions have acquired a separate status in the art in view of their
`
`different classification;
`
`
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`Application/Control Number: 11/273,575
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`Page 4
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`Art Unit: 1618
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`(b)
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`the inventions have acquired a separate status in the art due to their
`
`recognized divergent subject matter;
`
`(c) the inventions require a different field of search (for example, searching
`
`different classes/subclasses or electronic resources, or employing different
`
`search queries);
`
`(d) the prior art applicable to one invention would not
`
`likely be applicable to
`
`another invention;
`
`(e) the inventions are likely to raise different non-prior art issues under 35 U.S.C.
`
`101 and/or 35 U.S.C. 112, first paragraph.
`
`Applicant is advised that the reply to this requirement to be complete must
`
`include (i) an election of a invention to be examined even though the requirement
`
`may be traversed (37 CFR 1.143) and (ii) identification of the claims encompassing
`
`the elected invention.
`
`The election of an invention may be made with or without traverse. To reserve a
`
`right to petition, the election must be made with traverse. If the reply does not distinctly
`
`and specifically point out supposed errors in the restriction requirement, the election
`
`shall be treated as an election without traverse. Traversal must be presented at the time
`
`of election in order to be considered timely. Failure to timely traverse the requirement
`
`will result in the loss of right to petition under 37 CFR 1.144.
`
`If claims are added after
`
`the election, applicant must indicate which of these claims are readable on the elected
`
`invenflon.
`
`
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`Application/Control Number: 11/273,575
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`Page 5
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`Art Unit: 1618
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`If claims are added after the election, applicant must indicate which of these
`
`claims are readable upon the elected invention.
`
`Should applicant traverse on the ground that the inventions are not patentably
`
`distinct, applicant should submit evidence or identify such evidence now of record
`
`showing the inventions to be obvious variants or clearly admit on the record that this is
`
`the case.
`
`In either instance,
`
`if the examiner finds one of the inventions unpatentable
`
`over the prior art, the evidence or admission may be used in a rejection under 35 U.S.C.
`
`103(a) of the other invention.
`
`This application contains claims directed to the following patentably distinct
`
`species of: arginine, ethanolamine, sodium lauryl sulphate, talc, magnesium stearate,
`
`sodium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, calcium carbonate and citrate salts.
`
`The species are independent or distinct because claims to the different species
`
`recite the mutually exclusive characteristics of such species.
`
`In addition, these species
`
`are not obvious variants of each other based on the current record.
`
`Applicant is required under 35 U.S.C. 121 to elect a single disclosed species for
`
`prosecution on the merits to which the claims shall be restricted if no generic claim is
`
`finally held to be allowable. Currently, claims 1 and 11 are generic.
`
`This application contains claims directed to the following patentably distinct
`
`species of: hypertension, heart failure, stroke, myocardial
`
`infarction, diabetes and
`
`
`
`Application/Control Number: 11/273,575
`
`Page 6
`
`Art Unit: 1618
`
`cardiovascular disease or for reducing the risk of further strokes, heart attacks and
`
`cognitive impairment among stroke patients.
`
`The species are independent or distinct because claims to the different species
`
`recite the mutually exclusive characteristics of such species.
`
`In addition, these species
`
`are not obvious variants of each other based on the current record.
`
`Applicant is required under 35 U.S.C. 121 to elect a single disclosed species for
`
`prosecution on the merits to which the claims shall be restricted if no generic claim is
`
`finally held to be allowable. Currently, claim 23 is generic.
`
`This application contains claims directed to the following patentably distinct
`
`species of: wet granulation, dry granulation or direct compression.
`
`The species are independent or distinct because claims to the different species
`
`recite the mutually exclusive characteristics of such species.
`
`In addition, these species
`
`are not obvious variants of each other based on the current record.
`
`Applicant is required under 35 U.S.C. 121 to elect a single disclosed species for
`
`prosecution on the merits to which the claims shall be restricted if no generic claim is
`
`finally held to be allowable. Currently, claim 25 is generic.
`
`There is an examination and search burden for these patentably distinct species
`
`due to their mutually exclusive characteristics. The species require a different field of
`
`search (e.g.,
`
`searching different classes/subclasses or electronic resources, or
`
`employing different search queries); and/or the prior art applicable to one species would
`
`
`
`Application/Control Number: 11/273,575
`
`Page 7
`
`Art Unit: 1618
`
`not likely be applicable to another species; and/or the species are likely to raise different
`
`non-prior art issues under 35 U.S.C. 101 and/or 35 U.S.C. 112, first paragraph.
`
`Applicant is advised that the reply to this requirement to be complete must
`
`include (i) an election of a species to be examined even though the requirement
`
`may be traversed (37 CFR 1.143) and (ii) identification of the claims encompassing
`
`the elected species, including any claims subsequently added. An argument that a
`
`claim is allowable or that all claims are generic is considered nonresponsive unless
`
`accompanied by an election.
`
`The election of the species may be made with or without traverse. To preserve a
`
`right to petition, the election must be made with traverse. If the reply does not distinctly
`
`and specifically point out supposed errors in the election of species requirement, the
`
`election shall be treated as an election without traverse. Traversal must be presented at
`
`the time of election in order to be considered timely. Failure to timely traverse the
`
`requirement will result in the loss of right to petition under 37 CFR 1.144.
`
`If claims are
`
`added after the election, applicant must indicate which of these claims are readable on
`
`the elected species.
`
`Should applicant traverse on the ground that the species are not patentably
`
`distinct, applicant should submit evidence or identify such evidence now of record
`
`showing the species to be obvious variants or clearly admit on the record that this is the
`
`case. In either instance, if the examiner finds one of the species unpatentable over the
`
`prior art, the evidence or admission may be used in a rejection under 35 U.S.C. 103(a)
`
`of the other species.
`
`
`
`Application/Control Number: 11/273,575
`
`Page 8
`
`Art Unit: 1618
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`Upon the allowance of a generic claim, applicant will be entitled to consideration
`
`of claims to additional species which depend from or otherwise require all the limitations
`
`of an allowable generic claim as provided by 37 CFR 1.141.
`
`Applicant
`
`is reminded that upon the cancellation of claims to a non-elected
`
`invention, the inventorship must be amended in compliance with 37 CFR 1.48(b) if one
`
`or more of the currently named inventors is no longer an inventor of at least one claim
`
`remaining in the application. Any amendment of inventorship must be accompanied by
`
`a request under 37 CFR 1.48(b) and by the fee required under 37 CFR 1.17(i).
`
`The examiner has required restriction between product and process claims.
`
`Where applicant elects claims directed to the product, and the product claims are
`
`subsequently found allowable, withdrawn process claims that depend from or otherwise
`
`require all the limitations of the allowable product claim will be considered for rejoinder.
`
`fl claims directed to a nonelected process invention must require all the limitations of
`
`an allowable product claim for that process invention to be rejoined.
`
`In the event of rejoinder,
`
`the requirement for restriction between the product
`
`claims and the rejoined process claims will be withdrawn, and the rejoined process
`
`claims will be fully examined for patentability in accordance with 37 CFR 1.104. Thus, to
`
`be allowable, the rejoined claims must meet all criteria for patentability including the
`
`requirements of 35 U.S.C. 101, 102, 103 and 112. Until all claims to the elected product
`
`are found allowable, an othenNise proper restriction requirement between product
`
`claims and process claims may be maintained. Withdrawn process claims that are not
`
`
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`Application/Control Number: 11/273,575
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`Page 9
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`Art Unit: 1618
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`commensurate in scope with an allowable product claim will not be rejoined. See MPEP
`
`§ 821 .04(b). Additionally,
`
`in order to retain the right to rejoinder in accordance with the
`
`above policy, applicant is advised that the process claims should be amended during
`
`prosecution to require the limitations of the product claims. Failure to do so may result
`
`in a loss of the right to rejoinder. Further, note that the prohibition against double
`
`patenting rejections of 35 U.S.C. 121 does not apply where the restriction requirement
`
`is withdrawn by the examiner before the patent issues. See MPEP § 804.01.
`
`Telephonic Inquiries
`
`Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the
`
`examiner should be directed to JAKE M. VU whose telephone number is (571)272-
`
`8148. The examiner can normally be reached on Mon-Tue and Thu-Fri 8:30AM-
`
`5:00PM.
`
`If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s
`
`supervisor, Michael Hartley can be reached on (571) 272-0616. The fax phone number
`
`for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
`
`
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`Application/Control Number: 11/273,575
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`Page 10
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`Art Unit: 1618
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`Information regarding the status of an application may be obtained from the
`
`Patent Application Information Retrieval
`
`(PAIR) system.
`
`Status
`
`information for
`
`published applications may be obtained from either Private PAIR or Public PAIR.
`
`Status information for unpublished applications is available through Private PAIR only.
`
`For more information about the PAIR system, see http://pair-direct.uspto.gov. Should
`
`you have questions on access to the Private PAIR system, contact the Electronic
`
`Business Center (EBC) at 866-217-9197 (toll-free).
`
`If you would like assistance from a
`
`USPTO Customer Service Representative or access to the automated information
`
`system, call 800-786-9199 (IN USA OR CANADA) or 571-272—1000.
`
`/Jake M. Vu/
`
`Examiner, Art Unit 1618
`
`

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