Dear all,
just wanted to let you know that I made some progress in further patent analysis.
in terms of media work before the report comes up, we can use the Nunhems patent as opposed, as well as the Carlsberg patent application on barley WO2021175786 which was filed March last year, but not used in public communication so far. We should present this application before the hearing on 10 of May.
In regard to overall report, I am especially looking for patents filed on genetic variations and their usage which are relevant for conventional breeding. There are many examples for 'patents on genes' in the very good research from Ruth and Anne Charlotte. Also the patent as sent by Francois on sugar beet (KWS) is relevant in this context.
The pattern behind these patents was exhibited by us already in report 2018, when we listed several patents granted for ENZA (see table attached): The gene sequence was originally detected in model plant (Arabidopsis) an all plant species were claimed as invention showing the relevant genetic variation, no matter how it was introduced.
Now, indeed, it looks this is becoming the blue print for more an more applications (as we were warning). Also the Nunhems patent as opposed is following this approach (starting from a finding in Arabidopsis).
Many of the applications seem to be especially relevant for CRISPR, but several also are relevant for conventional breeding. I am still working on it to get a clear picture with reliable results. Looks like we can present something interesting which also might be shocking for the CRISPR people. We then have to discuss to which extent we include these specific examples (if mostly relevant for CRISPR) in our report
I hope I can present some findings in our meeting.
cheers
Christoph