AbCellera Announces that the U.S. Patent Trial and Appeal Board Upholds Microfluidic Cell Culture Patent

Rhea-AI Summary

The United States Patent and Trademark Office’s Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) has ruled in favor of AbCellera (Nasdaq: ABCL), rejecting Berkeley Lights’ challenge to the validity of AbCellera’s U.S. Patent No. 10,087,408.

This patent pertains to microfluidic devices for cell culture and monitoring. Berkeley Lights previously filed multiple petitions with the PTAB, all of which have now been rejected. AbCellera expressed satisfaction with the decision and plans to proceed with its pending patent infringement lawsuit against Berkeley Lights. This outcome reinforces the strength of AbCellera's intellectual property portfolio.

Positive

• PTAB ruling strengthens the validity of AbCellera's microfluidic cell culture patent.
• All claims of U.S. Patent No. 10,087,408 confirmed as valid, enhancing AbCellera's intellectual property position.
• AbCellera intends to resume its infringement case against Berkeley Lights, potentially leading to favorable legal outcomes.

Negative

• None.

PTAB rejects third request by Berkeley Lights for invalidation of AbCellera’s U.S. patents

VANCOUVER, British Columbia--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- AbCellera (Nasdaq: ABCL) today announced that the United States Patent and Trademark Office’s Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) has ruled in favor of AbCellera in an Inter Partes Review (IPR) filed by Berkeley Lights, Inc. (Berkeley Lights) that challenged AbCellera’s U.S. Patent No. 10,087,408 (the ‘408 Patent). AbCellera’s ‘408 Patent is directed to microfluidic devices and using such devices to culture cells, monitor a response, and recover selected cells.

The IPR proceeding stems from AbCellera and the University of British Columbia (UBC) suing Berkeley Lights for patent infringement currently pending in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California. In response to AbCellera’s infringement claims, Berkeley Lights filed three separate petitions with the PTAB seeking to invalidate multiple patents. The PTAB previously rejected two of Berkeley Lights’ petitions, disagreeing that certain challenged claims were invalid. Berkeley Lights challenged the claims of the ‘408 Patent alleging invalidity based on anticipation and obviousness over the prior art. In response to claims against the ‘408 patent, AbCellera and UBC opposed institution and after oral argument, the PTAB rejected all of Berkeley Lights’ arguments and confirmed that all claims of AbCellera’s ‘408 Patent are valid.

“We are pleased with the PTAB’s decision, which reinforces the validity and strength of our microfluidic cell culture system patent claims,” said Tryn Stimart, JD, Chief Legal and Compliance Officer of AbCellera. “Going forward, we will continue to vigorously defend our intellectual property portfolio. With the IPR outcomes, AbCellera intends to request that the district court resume its patent infringement cases against Berkeley Lights.”

About AbCellera Biologics Inc.

AbCellera is a technology company that searches, decodes, and analyzes natural immune systems to find antibodies that its partners can develop into drugs to prevent and treat disease. AbCellera partners with drug developers of all sizes, from large pharmaceutical to small biotechnology companies, empowering them to move quickly, reduce costs, and tackle the toughest problems in drug development. For more information, please visit www.abcellera.com.

AbCellera Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements, including statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The forward-looking statements are based on management’s current beliefs and assumptions and on information currently available to management. All statements contained in this release other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements, including statements regarding our ability to develop, commercialize and achieve market acceptance of our current and planned products and services, our research and development efforts, and other matters regarding our business strategies, use of capital, results of operations and financial position, and plans and objectives for future operations.

In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by the words “may,” “will,” “could,” “would,” “should,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “predict,” “project,” “potential,” “continue,” “ongoing” or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology, although not all forward-looking statements contain these words. These statements involve risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, levels of activity, performance, or achievements to be materially different from the information expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. These risks, uncertainties and other factors are described under "Risk Factors," "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and elsewhere in the documents we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time. We caution you that forward-looking statements are based on a combination of facts and factors currently known by us and our projections of the future, about which we cannot be certain. As a result, the forward-looking statements may not prove to be accurate. The forward-looking statements in this press release represent our views as of the date hereof. We undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statements for any reason, except as required by law.

Source: AbCellera Biologics Inc.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230119005918/en/

Media: Jessica Yingling, Ph.D.; media@abcellera.com, +1(236)521-6774

Business Development: Murray McCutcheon, Ph.D.; bd@abcellera.com, +1(604)559-9005

Investor Relations: Josephine Hellschlienger, Ph.D.; ir@abcellera.com, +1(778)729-9116

Source: AbCellera Biologics Inc.

FAQ

What did the PTAB decide regarding AbCellera's patent?

The PTAB ruled in favor of AbCellera, rejecting Berkeley Lights' challenge to the validity of U.S. Patent No. 10,087,408.

What is the significance of the PTAB ruling for AbCellera (ABCL)?

The ruling reinforces the validity of AbCellera's patent claims, enhancing its intellectual property portfolio.

How does the ruling affect AbCellera's legal actions?

AbCellera plans to resume its patent infringement lawsuits against Berkeley Lights following the PTAB ruling.

What technology does U.S. Patent No. 10,087,408 cover?

The patent covers microfluidic devices used for cell culture, monitoring responses, and recovering selected cells.

What is the next step for AbCellera after the PTAB decision?

AbCellera intends to request the district court to resume its patent infringement cases against Berkeley Lights.