USPTO launches Sequence Listing Resource Center ahead of ST.26 implementation

The USPTO launched a new Sequence Listing Resource Center (SLRC) to better assist applicants who file patent applications containing nucleotide and/or amino acid sequence disclosures. In such patent applications, a sequence listing with nucleotide and/or amino acid sequence information in a particular format is required. The SLRC includes important information about the worldwide implementation on July 1, 2022, of a new standard for the format of sequence listings.

Along with international and foreign intellectual property offices, the USPTO is implementing this new standard, World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Standard ST.26, to ensure public availability of sequence information disclosed in patent applications in a high-quality, searchable format.

The SLRC is a repository of sequence listing information and includes information on topics such as:

• USPTO rule changes to implement WIPO Standard ST.26
• Which applications must comply with ST.26 rather than the current standard (ST.25)
• Details of WIPO Standard ST.26 formatting in eXtensible Markup Language (XML) and USPTO electronic filing of XMLs
• Software tools used to generate a WIPO Standard ST.26 and WIPO Standard ST.25 sequence listings
• How to get general assistance with filing sequence listings