Ex Parte Baker et al - Page 3


                   Appeal No. 2006-2892                                                                                           
                   Application No. 10/012,237                                                                                     
                   particular structure (i.e., the antigenic determinant or epitope) of the protein recognized                    
                   by the binding molecule.”  Col. 10, ll. 31-36.  Lal’s definition comports with art-                            
                   recognized definitions.  Additionally, we interpret the term “specifically binds” to mean                      
                   binding with high affinity, as compared to “nonspecific binding.”  Lodish et al., CELL                         
                   BIOLOGY 538-39 (5th ed. 2004).  We do not interpret “specifically binding” to require that                     
                   binding is only to a specific protein, as Appellants urge.  Rather, as the Examiner found                      
                   and consistent with Lal’s definition, “antibodies can cross-react with different proteins                      
                   having the same epitope/antigens.”  Advisory Action at 3 (mailed Apr. 7, 2005).3                               
                   The Cited Prior Art                                                                                            
                          Like Appellants, Lal discloses regulatory proteins, referred to by Lal as “human                        
                   regulatory molecules” or HRM, “having at least one of the amino acid sequences selected                        
                   from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOS:1-48.”  Col. 4, ll. 25-30.  The reference also                         
                   discloses “a purified antibody which binds to an HRM.”  Col. 4, ll. 65-67.  According to                       
                   Lal, the term “‘antibody’ is a reference to one or more antibodies.”  Col. 5, ll. 63-67.                       
                   Relevant to this case, Lal’s SEQ ID NO:24 is 431 amino acids in length and is 52.1%                            
                   identical to Appellants’ SEQ ID NO:227; of the 431 amino acids in Lal’s sequence, 430                          
                   match those on the carboxy terminal half of SEQ ID NO:227 without interruption (except                         
                   for a single mismatch).  Sequence Comparison attached to non-final Office Action,                              
                   mailed May 10, 2004.  See also Lal, cols. 95-97 (sequence for SEQ ID NO:24).                                   


                                                                                                                                 
                   3 During examination, “claims are given their broadest reasonable interpretation                               
                   consistent with the specification.”  In re Hyatt, 211 F.3d 1367, 1372, 54 USPQ2d 1664,                         
                   1667 (Fed. Cir. 2000), quoted with approval in In re Bigio, 381 F.3d 1320, 1324, 72                            
                   USPQ2d 1209, 1210-11 (Fed. Cir. 2004).                                                                         


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