Expert Sequence Listing Services for Your Patent Applications

A sequence listing contains nucleotide and/or amino acid sequences disclosed in a patent application and forms part of the description. It includes descriptive information about each sequence, known as annotations, and conforms to the requirements of the relevant WIPO standard (ST.25 or ST.26). It allows the sequence data of an invention to be searchable within an IP office and in publicly available databases (e.g., INSDC databases).

A sequence listing is required by patent offices worldwide when your invention involves biological sequences. The purpose is to make sequence information machine-readable and searchable in patent databases, ensuring proper examination and public disclosure. Without a compliant sequence listing, patent applications involving biological materials will face rejection or significant delays in the examination process.

ST.26 differs from ST.25 in format, content requirements, annotation detail, and permitted sequence length. While ST.25 uses a plain ASCII .txt format with numeric identifiers, ST.26 adopts an XML (eXtensible Markup Language) format that includes elements and attributes, allowing for a more structured and machine-readable submission. In terms of content, ST.25 does not require the inclusion of D-amino acids, linear portions of branched sequences, or nucleotide analogs, whereas ST.26 mandates their inclusion. Annotation of sequences is also more detailed in ST.26, which uses both feature keys and qualifiers, in contrast to ST.25’s use of feature keys only. Finally, ST.25 permits the inclusion of sequences with fewer than 10 specifically defined nucleotides or fewer than 4 specifically defined amino acids. However, ST.26 prohibits such short sequences, setting stricter minimum thresholds for inclusion.

Errors in sequence listings can have serious consequences, including office actions requiring corrections, application delays of 3-6 months, increased prosecution costs, and potentially narrowed patent scope if errors affect the substantive disclosure. In worst-case scenarios, sequence listing errors could result in application rejection or invalidation of granted patents if the errors are material to patentability. Our service prevents these outcomes through rigorous quality control.

Our specialized focus on sequence listings gives us advantages that in-house preparation can’t match. We maintain dedicated specialists trained specifically in sequence listing regulations, use proprietary validation tools that identify issues beyond what standard validators catch, and leverage our extensive experience with thousands of applications across different patent offices. Most importantly, we maintain up-to-date knowledge of evolving requirements and examiner expectations that in-house teams typically don’t encounter frequently enough to master.

We deliver most sequence listings within 24-48 hours of receiving complete information. For emergency filings, we offer same-day service when requested. To prepare your listing, we typically need: (1) your sequence disclosure in any readable format, (2) information about organism sources, (3) any feature annotations you wish to include, and (4) your intended filing jurisdictions. Our streamlined intake process minimizes the burden on your team while ensuring we capture all necessary details.

The transition to ST.26 presents several challenges: reformatting existing listings requires technical XML expertise; biological annotation requirements are more stringent; validation tools differ; and qualifier information must be more comprehensive. Many applicants struggle with converting previous applications for divisionals or continuations, ensuring cross-references remain accurate, and managing the increased complexity of feature tables. Our specialized service helps navigate these challenges seamlessly, converting legacy listings to fully compliant ST.26 format without information loss.