Appeal 2007-0711
Reexamination 90/006,706
analyte capacity factor (k’). For ibuprofen, in example, the highest degree of
chromatographic separation of its isomers generally was effected using a
mobile phase solvent composition having the lowest analyte capacity factor
(k’) below 0.94 for k’1. See the data for ibuprofen taken from Pirkle’s
Tables 9, 16, 17, and 18, and cumulated hereafter:
Ibuprofen
α (chromatographic separation factor) analyte capacity factor (k’1 & k’2)
1.47 0.19 0.28
1.40 0.43 0.60
1.22 0.27
1.20 0.69 0.83
1.20 0.75
1.12 0.94 1.05
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Discussion
The PTO has the initial burden to establish a prima facie case of
obviousness under 35 U.S.C. § 103. In re Fine, 837 F.2d 1071, 1074, 5
USPQ2d 1596, 1598 (Fed. Cir. 1988); In re Piasecki, 745 F.2d 1468, 1471-
72, 223 USPQ 785, 787-8 (Fed. Cir. 1984). The PTO can satisfy this burden
by showing some objective teaching in the art or prior knowledge in the art
which would have led one of ordinary skill in the art to the invention
claimed. In re Fine, 837 F.2d at 1074, 5 USPQ2d at 1599. However, the
PTO ever must be cautious not “[t]o imbue one of ordinary skill in the art
with knowledge of the invention in suit … when no prior art reference or
references of record convey or suggest that knowledge[.] … [To do so] is to
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