Ex parte KAMBOJ et al.; Ex parte FOLDES et al. - Page 116


                  Appeal No.  1997-3221                                                                                        
                  Application No.  08/249,241                                                                                  
                  NMDA protein used in a heteromeric receptor complex with NR3 protein of claim                                
                  15.                                                                                                          
                          Where the examiner fails to establish a prima facie case, the rejection is                           
                  improper and will be overturned.  In re Fine, 837 F.2d 1071, 1074, 5 USPQ2d 1596,                            
                  1598 (Fed. Cir. 1988).                                                                                       
                          Accordingly we reverse the rejection of claims 14 and 15 under 35 U.S.C. §                           
                  103 as being unpatentable over Monyer in view of Puckett, Schofield and                                      
                  Grenningloh.                                                                                                 
                  The rejection of claim 21:                                                                                   
                          The examiner relies (Answer, page 10) upon Sugihara for the teaching of rat                          
                  homologs of the recited NMDAR1 variants.  However, Sugihara does not make up                                 
                  for the deficiencies in the combination of Monyer in view of Puckett, Schofield and                          
                  Grenningloh, supra.                                                                                          
                          Where the examiner fails to establish a prima facie case, the rejection is                           
                  improper and will be overturned.  In re Fine, 837 F.2d 1071, 1074, 5 USPQ2d 1596,                            
                  1598 (Fed. Cir. 1988).                                                                                       
                          Accordingly, we reverse the rejection of claim 21 under 35 U.S.C. § 103 as                           
                  being unpatentable over Monyer in view of Puckett, Schofield and Grenningloh as                              
                  applied to claims 14 and 15 above, and further in view of Sugihara.                                          
                  Summary:                                                                                                     
                          We reverse the examiner’s rejection of claim 21 under 35 U.S.C. § 112,                               
                  second paragraph.                                                                                            



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