Frequently Asked Questions

A sequence listing is a document that is used to provide the nucleotide and amino acid sequences that are disclosed in a patent application. It is the part of the description of the patent application. The sequence listing contains annotations that tell about the sequence and they are the equivalence to the WIPO standard for the relevant part (ST.25 or ST.26). It is a means for an invention’s sequence data to be searchable within an IP office and in publicly available databases (e.g., INSDC databases).

They make sure that there is consistency in the way biological sequences are disclosed in patent applications all over the world, thus making it easier for the examination to be carried out and enabling the efficient electronic data exchange between patent offices.

A sequence listing must be given if you have a patent application where you have disclosed one or more nucleotide or amino acid sequences that are included in the definition of sequence disclosure according to the rules that are in force.

ST.26 is the contemporary international specification for carrying out sequence listing in an XML format. It supersedes the are ST.25 standard. The last date it is allowed for the international applications to be filed without the use of ST.26 is July 1, 2022.

ST.26 is different from the ST.25 standard in that it makes use of XML instead of plain text. The inclusion of D-amino acids, the branched sequence part, and nucleotide analogs is also required. Besides, it gives room for elaborated annotations through the feature keys and the qualifiers, it also forbids the shorter sequences (less than 10 nucleotides or 4 amino acids) which were allowed in ST.25.

Yes, ST.26 is required for every international patent application (PCT) that was filed on or after July 1, 2022 and in accordance with this, many national/regional applications are also subject to local implementation.

Every disclosed sequence, having at least 10 nucleotides or 4 amino acids, must be an integral part of the listing, no matter if they are the claims, the description, the drawings, or the sequence listing.

Yes, altered nucleotides and amino acids are part of the list and they should be properly indicated according to ST.26 regulations

A sequence of less than 10 nucleotides or 4 amino acids should not be part of ST.26 sequence listings, unless local rules require it.

WIPO Sequence by WIPO is a place to go since it offers a tool plus it allows the user to upload and run a validation of the ST26-compliant sequence listing.

WIPO Sequence can also be obtained from the WIPO website at www.wipo.int/standards/en/sequence.

Yes, a validation function in WIPO Sequence is present that enables you to confirm your sequence listing conforms to the regulations of ST.26 by carrying out a check.

The submission of a sequence listing according to the standard ST.26 must be done in a file formatted in XML (XML = eXtensible Markup Language) with an extension of .xml.

The dimensions prescribed vary according to the patent office in question. If a file is too large, it is advisable to share with your target patent office possible submission options.

You are allowed to do so but payment of extra fees and providing no changes in the text of the application will be required if submitting late.

In the case of such nucleotides and/or amino acids, consider symbols that are most restrictive to their nature (e.g., “N” for nucleotides, “X” for amino acids) and provide suitable feature annotations

UTF-8 character encoding must be used for ST.26 sequence listings.

Observe the requirements of your patent office. In the case of PCT applications, use the pattern “[application_number]_sequence_listing.xml”.

English is the language for free text in the qualifier values or else it should be the original language and English translation.

The typical list of errors is inconsistent annotations, incorrect feature locations, missing mandatory qualifiers, and wrongly formatted modified residues.

It is possible that the errors in the sequence listing will lead to the need for corrections, possible issues with the filing date, or a delay in the prosecution.

The exact methods of correction differ from place to place. In general, a new listing along with a declaration that no new matter is introduced with the correction should be submitted by you.

We offer conversion from one format to another, validation, and submission of sequence listings to patent offices based on ST.26 and local rules.

The regular service takes 3-5 working days. There is also an option of a rush service if you need it urgently.

Our knowledgeable people answer complicated questions if they are related to modified nucleotides, branched structures, and those which require compliance with the law of a certain jurisdiction.

We consider confidentiality of data and security of data at a very high level. Your research data is treated in the highest professionalism and care, and we have very secure confidentiality contracts to safeguard your intellectual property.

We offer services to various clients, such as academic researchers, biotechnology firms, drug companies, healthcare organizations, and so on. We customize our services to suit the specific requirements of each client.

Do not worry about it. One way of getting started with our sequence listing is to get to the contact us section this web page using our phone number or the inquiry form. After that, we will be able to find a suitable time for a consultation and talk about your project requirements, goals, and timelines. After that, we will recommend a solution that will fit your needs.