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UPC CFI 187/2024
Apr 22, 2024·EP1910572 +1 more: METHODS OF DETECTING NUCLEIC ACIDS IN INDIVIDUAL CELLS AND OF IDENTIFYING RARE CELLS FROM LARGE HETEROGENEOUS CELL POPULATIONS
- Case details
- StatusCase ClosedActionInfringementCategoryMain Infringement Action
- Parties
- ClaimantsReps: Judith Krens; Christopher Sharp; Kristina Cornish; Nicolas BitschRespondentsReps: Marianne Schaffner; Matthew Spencer; James Legg; Anne Marie Verschuur; Celine Bey
- Division
- The Hague LD
- Technology
- Biotech · Diagnostics · Biotechnology
- Language
- English
- First decided
- Nov 18, 2025
Claims
At issue1
Not infringed1
Notes: The Hague LD found no infringement of EP1910572 and EP2500439 (RNAscope nucleic acid detection); analysis centered on independent claim 1 of EP572 with no infringement by equivalence found.
Decisions
- 2025-11-18Not infringedInfringement meritsInfringement Action
The Hague Local Division decided in proceedings on infringement and counterclaim for revocation concerning Advanced Cell Diagnostics' RNAscope technology patents (EP 1 910 572 and EP 2 500 439) against Molecular Instruments; the decision addressed novelty, inventive step, and infringement of in situ hybridisation method claims.
Legal issues:In situ hybridisation RNA detection method patentsNoveltyInventive stepInfringement
Documents
| Document title | Date | Public |
|---|---|---|
| action.phaseChange.caseClose | 2025-11-25 | Not public |
| action.phaseChange.oralPhaseClose | 2025-11-18 | Not public |
| action.issueDecision.decision | 2025-11-18 | Not public |
| Decision | 2025-11-18 | Public |
| action.communication.general | 2025-11-13 | Not public |
| Other Documents | 2025-10-29 | Not public |
| Cover sheet | 2025-10-03 | Not public |
| Other document | 2025-10-03 | Not public |
| Other document | 2025-10-03 | Not public |
| Receipt | 2025-10-03 | Not public |
| Cover sheet | 2025-10-02 | Not public |
| Exhibit | 2025-10-02 | Not public |
| Exhibit | 2025-10-02 | Not public |
| Exhibit | 2025-10-02 | Not public |
| Exhibit | 2025-10-02 | Not public |
| Exhibit | 2025-10-02 | Not public |
| Receipt | 2025-10-02 | Not public |
| action.phaseChange.oralPhaseOpen | 2025-10-01 | Not public |
| Outcome of the Order | 2025-09-11 | Not public |
| clarification | 2025-09-11 | Public |
| 2025.09.09_ ACD v MI - Reply to Order | 2025-09-09 | Not public |
| opportunity to comment | 2025-09-04 | Not public |
| Receipt | 2025-09-03 | Not public |
| Application for procedural order - OH clarifications | 2025-09-03 | Not public |
| uploaded for technical/CMS reasons only | 2025-08-11 | Public |
| Summon-Oral-Hearing | 2025-08-11 | Not public |
| uploaded for technical/CMS reasons only | 2025-08-11 | Public |
| Hearing-Dates | 2025-08-11 | Not public |
| 0-OVERVIEW EXHIBITS DEFENDANT MI | 2025-07-24 | Not public |
| Location of Defendants Exhibits on CMS | 2025-07-24 | Not public |
| MI - Formal Response to ORD_24402_2025 | 2025-07-24 | Not public |
| Abridged version of Expert Declaration of Prof Tyagi | 2025-07-24 | Not public |
| Exhibit ACD-40_1 | 2025-07-23 | Not public |
| 0-OVERVIEW EXHIBITS CLAIMANT ACD | 2025-07-23 | Not public |
| EP2500439B2 - Auxiliary Request 2 - amended version | 2025-07-23 | Not public |
| EP1910572B1 - Auxiliary Request 2 - clean version | 2025-07-23 | Not public |
| Exhibit ACD-40_3 | 2025-07-23 | Not public |
| Exhibit ACD-40 | 2025-07-23 | Not public |
| EP2500439B2 - Auxiliary Request 1 - amended version | 2025-07-23 | Not public |
| EP2500439B2 - Auxiliary Request 1 - clean version | 2025-07-23 | Not public |
| Exhibit ACD-40_2 | 2025-07-23 | Not public |
| Claimant's submissions on Exhibit D86 and D87 | 2025-07-23 | Not public |
| EP2500439B2 - Auxiliary Request 2 - clean version | 2025-07-23 | Not public |
| EP1910572B1 - Auxiliary Request 1 - amended version | 2025-07-23 | Not public |
| EP1910572B1 - Auxiliary Request 2 - amended version | 2025-07-23 | Not public |
| Exhibit ACD-40_4 | 2025-07-23 | Not public |
| Claimant response to the JR Order No ORD_24402/2025 | 2025-07-23 | Not public |
| EP1910572B1 - Auxiliary Request 1 - clean version | 2025-07-23 | Not public |
| Outcome of the Order | 2025-07-15 | Not public |
| R.105.5 order, R.190 application withdrawn | 2025-07-15 | Public |
| R.105.5 order | 2025-07-15 | Public |
| Template-Order | 2025-07-15 | Not public |
| ORAL_HEARING_REFERENCING_21885_2024_IC_HAG_LOC_UPC2025070213PM | 2025-07-03 | Not public |
| ORAL_HEARING_REFERENCING_21885_2024_IC_HAG_LOC_UPC2025070213PM | 2025-07-03 | Not public |
| Fix-Interim-Conference-Date | 2025-07-02 | Not public |
| Interim-Conference-Decision | 2025-07-02 | Not public |
| Written-Procedure-Closure | 2025-07-02 | Not public |
| agenda IC | 2025-06-27 | Public |
| 2025 06 17 Defendant - Response to application for production of evidence | 2025-06-17 | Not public |
| opportunity to comment | 2025-06-10 | Not public |
| Receipt | 2025-06-06 | Not public |
| 2025 06 05 MI - UPC exhibit list | 2025-06-05 | Not public |
| 2025 06 05 MI - list of topics for IC | 2025-06-05 | Not public |
| ACD - Reply to Order ORD_24402-2025 | 2025-06-05 | Not public |
| Exhibit ACD-46 | 2025-06-05 | Not public |
| Application for an Order to produce evidence | 2025-06-05 | Not public |
| Exhibit ACD-47 | 2025-06-05 | Not public |
| Acknowledgement-of-change-of-a-representative | 2025-06-04 | Not public |
| Application-RoP293-Receipt | 2025-06-04 | Not public |
| Formal-checks_Notification-of-positive-outcome | 2025-06-04 | Not public |
| Outcome of the Order | 2025-06-04 | Not public |
| amending time IC | 2025-06-04 | Public |
| Reply to Claimant's application for generic procedural order | 2025-05-30 | Not public |
| opportunity to comment | 2025-05-28 | Not public |
| Application-RoP293 | 2025-05-28 | Not public |
| Application to change representative | 2025-05-28 | Not public |
| PoA for change of representative | 2025-05-28 | Not public |
| Receipt | 2025-05-28 | Not public |
| Application for procedural order - Postponment of the IC | 2025-05-28 | Not public |
| preparation of IC | 2025-05-22 | Not public |
| Acknowledgement-of-lodging | 2025-02-27 | Not public |
| Exhibit D83 | 2025-02-27 | Not public |
| 27022025 - Reply to Defence to counterclaim - Rejoinder to ACD Reply to SoD - Defence to application to amend | 2025-02-27 | Not public |
| Exhibit D82 | 2025-02-27 | Not public |
| Exhibit D85 | 2025-02-27 | Not public |
| Exhibit D84 | 2025-02-27 | Not public |
| Hearing-Dates | 2025-01-28 | Not public |
| setting dates | 2025-01-28 | Public |
| Hearing-Dates | 2025-01-28 | Not public |
| Reply to Preliminary Order No 4102025 | 2025-01-20 | Not public |
| ACD - Reply to Order ORD_410.2025 | 2025-01-13 | Not public |
| Receipt | 2025-01-09 | Not public |
| Exhibit ACD-40 | 2025-01-07 | Not public |
| Application for a generic procedural order - Exhibit ACD-40 | 2025-01-07 | Not public |
| opportunity to comment | 2025-01-06 | Not public |
| Acknowledgement-of-lodging | 2024-12-27 | Not public |
| Exhibit ACD-38.1 | 2024-12-27 | Not public |
| Exhibit ACD-38.5 | 2024-12-27 | Not public |
| Exhibit ACD-38.6 | 2024-12-27 | Not public |
| Exhibit ACD-39 | 2024-12-27 | Not public |
| Exhibit ACD-40.4 | 2024-12-27 | Not public |
| Exhibit ACD-38.3 | 2024-12-27 | Not public |
| Exhibit ACD-38.2 | 2024-12-27 | Not public |
| Exhibit ACD-37 | 2024-12-27 | Not public |
| Exhibit ACD-38.4 | 2024-12-27 | Not public |
| Exhibit ACD-38 | 2024-12-27 | Not public |
| Defence to CfR _ Reply to SoD _ Conditional application to amend | 2024-12-27 | Not public |
| Exhibit ACD-44 | 2024-12-27 | Not public |
| Exhibit ACD-42 | 2024-12-27 | Not public |
| Exhibit ACD-41 | 2024-12-27 | Not public |
| Exhibit ACD-40.1 | 2024-12-27 | Not public |
| Exhibit ACD-40.3 | 2024-12-27 | Not public |
| Exhibit ACD-43 | 2024-12-27 | Not public |
| Exhibit ACD-40.2 | 2024-12-27 | Not public |
| Panel-Appointment | 2024-12-16 | Not public |
| Outcome of the Order | 2024-11-19 | Not public |
| Procedural order to set new deadline | 2024-11-19 | Public |
| Reply to the application to a generic procedural order filed by ACD | 2024-11-15 | Not public |
| opportunity to comment | 2024-11-14 | Not public |
| Receipt | 2024-11-13 | Not public |
| Request for Alignment of Dates | 2024-11-13 | Not public |
| Acknowledgement-of-lodging | 2024-10-03 | Not public |
| Formal-checks_Notification-of-positive-outcome | 2024-10-03 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Professor Tyagi No 003 | 2024-10-01 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Defence No 044 | 2024-10-01 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Defence No 046 | 2024-10-01 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Defence No 027 | 2024-10-01 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Professor Tyagi No 012 | 2024-10-01 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Professor Tyagi No 024 | 2024-10-01 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Defence No 058 | 2024-10-01 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Defence No 022 | 2024-10-01 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Defence No 054 | 2024-10-01 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Defence No 049 | 2024-10-01 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Defence No 030 (part 2) | 2024-10-01 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Professor Tyagi No 001 | 2024-10-01 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Defence No 008 | 2024-10-01 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Defence No 017.1 | 2024-10-01 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Defence No 014 | 2024-10-01 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Defence No 025 | 2024-10-01 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Defence No 032.7 | 2024-10-01 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Defence No 041 | 2024-10-01 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Defence No 053 | 2024-10-01 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Defence No 001 | 2024-10-01 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Defence No 032.6 | 2024-10-01 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Professor Tyagi No 002 | 2024-10-01 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Professor Tyagi No 009 | 2024-10-01 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Defence No 020 | 2024-10-01 | Not public |
| 2024.09.11 - Statement of Defence - Molecular Instruments Inc ACT218852024 | 2024-10-01 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Professor Tyagi No 004 | 2024-10-01 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Defence No 038 | 2024-10-01 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Defence No 032.3 | 2024-10-01 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Defence No 037 | 2024-10-01 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Professor Tyagi No 005 | 2024-10-01 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Defence No 052 | 2024-10-01 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Defence No 007 | 2024-10-01 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Defence No 035 | 2024-10-01 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Defence No 029 | 2024-10-01 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Defence No 015 | 2024-10-01 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Defence No 032.5 | 2024-10-01 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Defence No 059 | 2024-10-01 | Not public |
| 2024.10.01 Formal response to the Request for amendment and its appendixes_SoD | 2024-10-01 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Defence No 002 | 2024-10-01 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Professor Tyagi No 006 | 2024-10-01 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Defence No 003 | 2024-10-01 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Defence No 016 | 2024-10-01 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Defence No 021 | 2024-10-01 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Defence No 028 | 2024-10-01 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Defence No 032.13 | 2024-10-01 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Defence No 064 | 2024-10-01 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Defence No 057 | 2024-10-01 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Defence No 039 | 2024-10-01 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Defence No 047 | 2024-10-01 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Defence No 005 | 2024-10-01 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Defence No 056 | 2024-10-01 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Defence No 032.14 | 2024-10-01 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Defence No 009 | 2024-10-01 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Defence No 019 | 2024-10-01 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Professor Tyagi No 007 | 2024-10-01 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Defence No 030 (part 1) | 2024-10-01 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Defence No 060 | 2024-10-01 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Professor Tyagi No 020 | 2024-10-01 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Professor Tyagi No 010 | 2024-10-01 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Professor Tyagi No 013 | 2024-10-01 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Defence No 018 | 2024-10-01 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Defence No 036 | 2024-10-01 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Defence No 048 | 2024-10-01 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Professor Tyagi No 019 | 2024-10-01 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Professor Tyagi No 026 | 2024-10-01 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Defence No 042 | 2024-10-01 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Professor Tyagi No 015 | 2024-10-01 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Professor Tyagi No 017 | 2024-10-01 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Defence No 063 | 2024-10-01 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Professor Tyagi No 014 | 2024-10-01 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Defence No 032 | 2024-10-01 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Defence No 026 | 2024-10-01 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Defence No 045 | 2024-10-01 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Defence No 032.11 | 2024-10-01 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Defence No 043 | 2024-10-01 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Defence No 032.8 | 2024-10-01 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Defence No 031 | 2024-10-01 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Defence No 024 | 2024-10-01 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Defence No 034 | 2024-10-01 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Defence No 040 | 2024-10-01 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Defence No 032.2 | 2024-10-01 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Defence No 051 | 2024-10-01 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Defence No 023 | 2024-10-01 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Defence No 012 | 2024-10-01 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Professor Tyagi No 023 | 2024-10-01 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Defence No 011 | 2024-10-01 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Defence No 033 | 2024-10-01 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Professor Tyagi No 011 | 2024-10-01 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Defence No 010 | 2024-10-01 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Defence No 050 | 2024-10-01 | Not public |
| 2024.09.11 - Statement of Defence - Molecular Instruments Inc ACT218852024 | 2024-10-01 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Defence No 004 | 2024-10-01 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Defence No 032.1 | 2024-10-01 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Defence No 032.10 | 2024-10-01 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Professor Tyagi No 008 | 2024-10-01 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Professor Tyagi No 022 | 2024-10-01 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Defence No 061 | 2024-10-01 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Defence No 002.1 | 2024-10-01 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Defence No 059.1 | 2024-10-01 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Professor Tyagi No 018 | 2024-10-01 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Professor Tyagi No 016 | 2024-10-01 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Defence No 032.12 | 2024-10-01 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Defence No 062 | 2024-10-01 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Professor Tyagi No 021 | 2024-10-01 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Defence No 032.9 | 2024-10-01 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Professor Tyagi No 025 | 2024-10-01 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Defence No 017 | 2024-10-01 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Defence No 055 | 2024-10-01 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Defence No 013 | 2024-10-01 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Defence No 006 | 2024-10-01 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Defence No 032.4 | 2024-10-01 | Not public |
| Acknowledgement-of-lodging | 2024-10-01 | Not public |
| Letter to UPC registry | 2024-10-01 | Not public |
| Formal-checks_Request-for-correction | 2024-09-19 | Not public |
| Acknowledgement-of-lodging | 2024-09-11 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Defence No 001 | 2024-09-11 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Defence No 043 | 2024-09-11 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Defence No 057 | 2024-09-11 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Professor Tyagi No 018 | 2024-09-11 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Defence No 002.1 | 2024-09-11 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Professor Tyagi No 008 | 2024-09-11 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Defence No 027 | 2024-09-11 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Professor Tyagi No 007 | 2024-09-11 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Defence No 016 | 2024-09-11 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Defence No 003 | 2024-09-11 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Defence No 032.7 | 2024-09-11 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Professor Tyagi No 022 | 2024-09-11 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Defence No 002 | 2024-09-11 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Defence No 059 | 2024-09-11 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Defence No 055 | 2024-09-11 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Defence No 032.10 | 2024-09-11 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Defence No 050 | 2024-09-11 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Defence No 063 | 2024-09-11 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Professor Tyagi No 024 | 2024-09-11 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Defence No 035 | 2024-09-11 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Professor Tyagi No 014 | 2024-09-11 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Professor Tyagi No 021 | 2024-09-11 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Defence No 032.12 | 2024-09-11 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Defence No 042 | 2024-09-11 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Professor Tyagi No 003 | 2024-09-11 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Defence No 056 | 2024-09-11 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Defence No 032.14 | 2024-09-11 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Professor Tyagi No 012 | 2024-09-11 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Defence No 017.1 | 2024-09-11 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Professor Tyagi No 017 | 2024-09-11 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Defence No 034 | 2024-09-11 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Defence No 004 | 2024-09-11 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Professor Tyagi No 013 | 2024-09-11 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Defence No 032.13 | 2024-09-11 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Defence No 060 | 2024-09-11 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Defence No 009 | 2024-09-11 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Defence No 032.5 | 2024-09-11 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Defence No 040 | 2024-09-11 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Defence No 008 | 2024-09-11 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Defence No 037 | 2024-09-11 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Defence No 023 | 2024-09-11 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Professor Tyagi No 001 | 2024-09-11 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Defence No 047 | 2024-09-11 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Defence No 006 | 2024-09-11 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Defence No 015 | 2024-09-11 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Defence No 033 | 2024-09-11 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Defence No 028 | 2024-09-11 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Defence No 059.1 | 2024-09-11 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Defence No 032.11 | 2024-09-11 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Defence No 046 | 2024-09-11 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Defence No 032.8 | 2024-09-11 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Defence No 014 | 2024-09-11 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Defence No 025 | 2024-09-11 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Defence No 013 | 2024-09-11 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Defence No 005 | 2024-09-11 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Professor Tyagi No 023 | 2024-09-11 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Professor Tyagi No 016 | 2024-09-11 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Defence No 061 | 2024-09-11 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Defence No 032.4 | 2024-09-11 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Defence No 054 | 2024-09-11 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Professor Tyagi No 005 | 2024-09-11 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Defence No 053 | 2024-09-11 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Professor Tyagi No 006 | 2024-09-11 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Defence No 032.1 | 2024-09-11 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Professor Tyagi No 010 | 2024-09-11 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Defence No 030 (part 2) | 2024-09-11 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Defence No 032.6 | 2024-09-11 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Defence No 049 | 2024-09-11 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Defence No 058 | 2024-09-11 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Defence No 045 | 2024-09-11 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Defence No 018 | 2024-09-11 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Defence No 062 | 2024-09-11 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Professor Tyagi No 020 | 2024-09-11 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Defence No 012 | 2024-09-11 | Not public |
| 2024.09.11 - Statement of Defence - Molecular Instruments Inc ACT218852024 | 2024-09-11 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Defence No 020 | 2024-09-11 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Defence No 011 | 2024-09-11 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Professor Tyagi No 015 | 2024-09-11 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Defence No 017 | 2024-09-11 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Defence No 032 | 2024-09-11 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Defence No 051 | 2024-09-11 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Professor Tyagi No 009 | 2024-09-11 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Professor Tyagi No 011 | 2024-09-11 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Professor Tyagi No 026 | 2024-09-11 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Professor Tyagi No 004 | 2024-09-11 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Defence No 032.2 | 2024-09-11 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Defence No 048 | 2024-09-11 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Professor Tyagi No 019 | 2024-09-11 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Defence No 032.3 | 2024-09-11 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Professor Tyagi No 025 | 2024-09-11 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Professor Tyagi No 002 | 2024-09-11 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Defence No 041 | 2024-09-11 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Defence No 007 | 2024-09-11 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Defence No 038 | 2024-09-11 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Defence No 064 | 2024-09-11 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Defence No 052 | 2024-09-11 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Defence No 031 | 2024-09-11 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Defence No 030 (part 1) | 2024-09-11 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Defence No 039 | 2024-09-11 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Defence No 026 | 2024-09-11 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Defence No 044 | 2024-09-11 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Defence No 029 | 2024-09-11 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Defence No 036 | 2024-09-11 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Defence No 022 | 2024-09-11 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Defence No 024 | 2024-09-11 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Defence No 032.9 | 2024-09-11 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Defence No 019 | 2024-09-11 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Defence No 021 | 2024-09-11 | Not public |
| Exhibit GWLG Defence No 010 | 2024-09-11 | Not public |
| Acknowledgement of access to case | 2024-07-02 | Not public |
| Notification Of Service | 2024-06-12 | Not public |
| 20240611 ACT_21885-2024 UPC_CFI_187-2024 Proof service SoC | 2024-06-12 | Not public |
| epoUploadDocumentsWorkflow | 2024-05-23 | Not public |
| epoUploadDocumentsWorkflow | 2024-05-23 | Not public |
| Letter for Service | 2024-05-16 | Not public |
| Panel-Appointment | 2024-05-16 | Not public |
| Document from EPO | 2024-05-13 | Not public |
| Document from EPO | 2024-05-13 | Not public |
| EPO-Request-for-case-pending | 2024-05-10 | Not public |
| Receipt | 2024-05-10 | Not public |
| Formal-checks_Notification-of-positive-outcome | 2024-05-10 | Not public |
| Acknowledgement-of-lodging | 2024-04-23 | Not public |
| Exhibt ACD-01 | 2024-04-23 | Not public |
| Exhibit ACD-16 | 2024-04-23 | Not public |
| Exhibit ACD-06(b) | 2024-04-23 | Not public |
| Statement of Claim | 2024-04-23 | Not public |
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| Exhibit ACD-12(b) | 2024-04-23 | Not public |
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| Exhibit ACD-06(a) | 2024-04-23 | Not public |
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| Exhibit ACD-11(a) | 2024-04-23 | Not public |
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| Exhibit ACD-29 | 2024-04-23 | Not public |
| Exhibit ACD-12(a) | 2024-04-23 | Not public |
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| Exhibit ACD-04 | 2024-04-23 | Not public |
| Exhibit ACD-23 | 2024-04-23 | Not public |
| Exhibit ACD-05 | 2024-04-23 | Not public |
| Exhibit ACD-33 | 2024-04-23 | Not public |
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| Exhibit ACD-14 | 2024-04-23 | Not public |
Plain-English summary
Advanced Cell Diagnostics (ACD) sued Molecular Instruments for infringement of its RNAscope in situ hybridisation patents EP 1 910 572 and EP 2 500 439 at The Hague Local Division. The court upheld both patents as valid (dismissing Molecular Instruments' revocation counterclaim) but found no infringement, either literal or by equivalence, because Molecular Instruments' HCR products use probes with a 1-4 nucleotide overlap rather than the strictly non-overlapping arrangement claimed, and that overlap serves an independent technical function that distinguishes the HCR approach from the patented invention.
Accepted arguments
What the court agreed with — by party.
Both EP 1 910 572 and EP 2 500 439 are valid (novelty and inventive step upheld); counterclaim for revocation dismissed
ClaimantLegal basis: Art. 54 EPC; Art. 56 EPCNote: The court dismissed Molecular Instruments' counterclaim for revocation in its entirety, confirming both RNAscope patents are valid.
Equivalence arguments introduced in the reply to the statement of defence are admissible
ClaimantLegal basis: R. 7 RoPNote: Court held the equivalence arguments were a legitimate response to the defence, directed to the same patent and same accused products, and the defendant had full opportunity to respond.
Rejected arguments
What the court did not agree with — and why.
Literal infringement of claim features 1(d)(iii), 1(h), 1(j) and 1(k)(iii) of EP 1 910 572 by HCR Products
ClaimantLegal basis: Art. 25 UPCAReason: Defendant's HCR products use probes that hybridise to partly overlapping regions of the hairpin initiator rather than to non-overlapping regions as claimed in feature 1(h); the product does not literally implement the 'non-overlapping' feature.
Infringement by equivalence for the missing 'non-overlapping' feature 1(h)
ClaimantLegal basis: Doctrine of equivalentsReason: The court rejected equivalence on three grounds: (1) legal certainty for third parties makes it impossible to define how much overlap is still equivalent; (2) the patents are not a major inventive step so fair protection does not require equivalence; (3) the 1-4 nucleotide overlap in HCR has an independent technical function (kinetic barrier reduction) serving a different way of achieving the result, making it more than a mere work-around.
Key legal principles
Doctrines and rules cited in the reasoning.
Doctrine of equivalents: fair protection balanced against legal certainty for third partiesEquivalence rejected where alternative design has an independent technical function of its own, not merely a work-aroundPatents representing modest inventive contribution do not demand broad equivalence scopeEquivalence arguments first raised in reply are admissible where they respond to defence arguments and relate to the same featuresCounterclaim for revocation dismissed where both patents found valid
Browse other cases on this principle.
Prior art relied on
References cited and the role they played.
- WO 2007/001986 A2 (WO986) — EP572 priority documentBackground
Claim construction notes
The disputed claim feature was 'non-overlapping' regions in the probe/hairpin hybridisation scheme of EP 1 910 572 claim 1 (feature 1(h)). The court found that HCR products use probes hybridising to partly overlapping regions (1-4 nucleotide overlap), which does not literally meet the 'non-overlapping' requirement. On equivalence, the court held that the 1-4 nucleotide overlap is technically functional and not a mere cosmetic variant, relying heavily on the specific energy-relaxation mechanism that the overlap enables.