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UPC CFI 463/2023

Dec 4, 2023·EP2697391 +1 more: METHOD AND PRODUCT FOR LOCALISED OR SPATIAL DETECTION OF NUCLEIC ACID IN A TISSUE SAMPLE

Case details
Status
Case Closed
Action
Provisional measures
Category
Provisional Measures
Parties
Claimants
Reps: Tilman Müller-Stoy (Bardehle Pagenberg); Martin Drews (Bardehle Pagenberg); Axel Berger (Bardehle Pagenberg)
Respondents
Reps: Agathe Michel-De Cazotte; Cameron Marschall
Division
Dusseldorf LD
Technology
Biotechnology
Language
English
First decided
Jan 29, 2024
Last decision
Feb 14, 2024
Decisions
  • 2024-04-30
    PI grantedPreliminary injunctionApplication for provisional measures

    The Düsseldorf Local Division granted a preliminary injunction against Curio Bioscience Inc. prohibiting it from offering, marketing, using, importing or storing arrays for spatially localised nucleic acid detection in Germany, France and Sweden, finding prima facie infringement of EP 2 697 391 B1 (owned by 10x Genomics). Both parties were ordered to pay each other interim costs of EUR 100,000. The injunction was conditional on 10x Genomics providing security of EUR 2,000,000. 10x Genomics' application for security for costs from the defendant was rejected.

    Legal issues:Standing and patent register presumption under Rule 8.5(c) RoPPurpose-limiting claim features and scope of protectionUrgency and knowledge of infringement in provisional measuresSecurity for costs in provisional measures proceedingsApplicability of Rule 158 RoP to defendants
    Damages: 100,000
  • 2024-02-14
    Application for provisional measures

    The Düsseldorf Local Division issued a procedural order in 10x Genomics v. Curio Bioscience establishing a structured confidentiality protection procedure under Rule 262A RoP, clarifying the CMS workflow for trade secret protection and setting out the process for granting preliminary access restrictions before a final confidentiality order is made.

    Legal issues:Rule 262A RoP: confidentiality protection workflow in CMSPreliminary access restrictions pending final confidentiality orderHearing requirement before final confidentiality order (Rule 262A.4 RoP)Trade secret protection in interim proceedings
  • 2024-01-29
    Application for provisional measures

    The Düsseldorf Local Division issued a procedural order in the 10x Genomics v. Curio Bioscience provisional measures proceedings, deciding ex officio to appoint a technically qualified judge given the technical complexity of the patent (spatial transcriptomics), relying on Art. 8(5) UPCA even in the absence of an express provision for interim proceedings.

    Legal issues:Art. 8(5) UPCA and Rule 34 RoP: appointment of technically qualified judge ex officio in provisional measures proceedingsPatent validity as condition for provisional measures
Documents
Document titleDatePublic
Headnote-and-Keywords2025-06-04Not public
Outcome of the Order2025-06-04Not public
Amendment of the confidentiality club2025-06-04Not public
Amendment of the confidentiality club2025-06-04Public
04.06.2025 - Response to 10x request regarding 11 March 2024 confidentiality club_signed2025-06-04Not public
Opportunity to comment2025-05-28Not public
Opportunity to respond2025-05-28Not public
Receipt2025-05-28Not public
Request for extension of confidentiality club2025-05-28Not public
Headnote-and-Keywords2025-02-20Not public
Outcome of the Order2025-02-20Not public
R. 352 RoP Order2025-02-20Public
Opportunity to comment2025-01-18Not public
Receipt2025-01-16Not public
Release of deposit - Application of 10x Genomics2025-01-15Not public
Exhibit BP 41 - 10x Genomics2025-01-15Not public
Exhibit BP 43 - 10x Genomics2025-01-15Not public
Exhibit BP42 - 10x Genomics2025-01-15Not public
Outcome of the Order2024-05-14Not public
Order re enforcement security2024-05-14Public
Template-Order2024-05-14Not public
Receipt2024-05-14Not public
Schriftsatz2024-05-14Not public
BP402024-05-14Not public
Panel-Appointment2024-04-30Not public
Headnote-and-Keywords2024-04-30Not public
Headnote-and-Keywords2024-04-30Not public
Certified translation of the R. 211.1 RoP Order2024-04-30Not public
Certified translation of the R. 211.1 RoP Order2024-04-30Public
Measures_DecisionOutcome_Notification.pdf2024-04-30Not public
Order R. 211.1 RoP2024-04-30Public
Order R. 211.1 RoP2024-04-30Not public
Headnote-and-Keywords2024-04-23Not public
Order re R. 14.2 (c) RoP2024-04-23Public
590953/2023/OH/DUS-LOC/UPC202403260930AM/S03/C2024-04-16Not public
590953/2023/OH/DUS-LOC/UPC202403260930AM/S03/C2024-04-16Not public
590953/2023/OH/DUS-LOC/UPC202403260930AM/S01/C2024-04-16Not public
590953/2023/OH/DUS-LOC/UPC202403260930AM/S032024-04-16Not public
590953/2023/OH/DUS-LOC/UPC202403260930AM/S022024-04-16Not public
590953/2023/OH/DUS-LOC/UPC202403260930AM/S012024-04-16Not public
590953/2023/OH/DUS-LOC/UPC202403260930AM/S032024-04-16Not public
590953/2023/OH/DUS-LOC/UPC202403260930AM/S04/C2024-04-16Not public
590953/2023/OH/DUS-LOC/UPC202403260930AM/S02/C2024-04-16Not public
590953/2023/OH/DUS-LOC/UPC202403260930AM/S04/C2024-04-16Not public
590953/2023/OH/DUS-LOC/UPC202403260930AM/S022024-04-16Not public
590953/2023/OH/DUS-LOC/UPC202403260930AM/S02/C2024-04-16Not public
590953/2023/OH/DUS-LOC/UPC202403260930AM/S012024-04-16Not public
590953/2023/OH/DUS-LOC/UPC202403260930AM/S01/C2024-04-16Not public
Receipt2024-03-27Not public
Application2024-03-27Not public
Exhibit CR-26 CONFIDENTIAL2024-03-27Not public
Application2024-03-27Not public
Hinweise Simultanverdolmetschung im Sitzungssaal2024-03-22Public
Outcome of the Order2024-03-22Not public
Anordnung R. 109 VerfO2024-03-22Public
Schließung Workflow2024-03-22Public
Outcome of the Order2024-03-22Not public
Schließung Workflow2024-03-22Public
Verfahrensanordnung R. 262A VerfO2024-03-22Public
Curio Comments2024-03-21Not public
Hinweis Kostenerstattung im Eilverfahren2024-03-21Public
Template-Order2024-03-21Not public
Hinweis Kosten im Eilverfahren2024-03-21Not public
Schriftsatz2024-03-20Not public
Gelegenheit zur Stellungnahme2024-03-20Not public
Receipt2024-03-20Not public
Antrag/Schriftsatz2024-03-20Not public
Opportunity to Comment R. 262A.4 RoP2024-03-18Not public
2024.03.15 Confidentiality (R. 262A VerfO)2024-03-15Not public
Exhibit CR-212024-03-15Not public
Exhibit CR-242024-03-15Not public
2024.03.15 - Response to 10x reply to objection2024-03-15Not public
2024.03.15 - Response to 10x reply to objection2024-03-15Not public
Exhibit CR-232024-03-15Not public
Exhibit CR-222024-03-15Not public
Exhibit CR-182024-03-15Not public
Exhibit CR-252024-03-15Not public
Exhibit CR-202024-03-15Not public
Exhibit CR-192024-03-15Not public
Final Order R. 262A2024-03-11Public
2024.03.08 - Response to 10x submission regarding protection of confidential information2024-03-08Not public
Gelegenheit zur Stellungnahme2024-03-04Not public
Receipt2024-03-02Not public
Gelegenheit zur Stellungnahme2024-03-01Not public
Application R 262.2 VerfO2024-03-01Not public
Anlage BP272024-03-01Not public
Anlage BP262024-03-01Not public
Anlage BP362024-03-01Not public
Anlage BP282024-03-01Not public
Anlage BP312024-03-01Not public
Anlage BP302024-03-01Not public
Anlage BP222024-03-01Not public
Anlage BP332024-03-01Not public
Anlage BP382024-03-01Not public
Anlage BP232024-03-01Not public
Anlage BP212024-03-01Not public
Anlage BP202024-03-01Not public
Anlage BP352024-03-01Not public
Anlage BP192024-03-01Not public
Erwiderung Teil 1 (Nicht vertraulich)2024-03-01Not public
Anlage BP08a2024-03-01Not public
Anlage BP322024-03-01Not public
Anlage BP372024-03-01Not public
Erwiderung Teil 2 (Vertraulich)2024-03-01Not public
Erwiderung Teil 2 (Vertraulich)2024-03-01Not public
Anlage BP292024-03-01Not public
Anlage BP09a2024-03-01Not public
Anlage BP07a2024-03-01Not public
Anlage BP252024-03-01Not public
Anlage BP242024-03-01Not public
Anlage BP342024-03-01Not public
Anlage BP182024-03-01Not public
Anlage BP03a2024-03-01Not public
Comments to Application RoP 262A2024-03-01Not public
Outcome of the Order2024-03-01Not public
Verfahrensanordnung R. 109 VerfO2024-03-01Public
Gelegenheit zur Stellungnahme zum Antrag nach R. 109 VerfO2024-02-26Not public
Outcome of the Order2024-02-26Not public
Entscheidung R. 323.1 VerfO2024-02-26Public
Receipt2024-02-26Not public
Schriftsatz2024-02-26Not public
Outcome of the Order2024-02-23Not public
Zurückweisung Fristverlängerungsantrag2024-02-23Public
Receipt2024-02-23Not public
Schriftsatz2024-02-23Not public
Vorläufige Geheimnisschutzanordnung und Gelegenheit zur Stellungnahme2024-02-23Not public
Response to order dated 20 February R. 262A VerfO (signed)2024-02-22Not public
Gelegenheit zur Stellungnahme R. 262A, R. 264 VerfO2024-02-20Not public
Schriftsatz2024-02-20Not public
2024.02.20 - Comments to Procedural Order App_85002024 dated 16 February (signed)2024-02-20Not public
Exhibit App CR-12024-02-20Not public
Korrektur der E-Mailadresse der Kanzlei in der Ladungsanordnung2024-02-19Public
Gelegenheit zur Erwiderung auf den Einspruchsschriftsatz2024-02-16Not public
summons2024-02-16Not public
Ladung zur mündlichen Verhandlung2024-02-16Public
Template-Order2024-02-16Not public
Ladung zur mündlichen Verhandlung2024-02-16Not public
Verfahrensleitende Anordnung2024-02-16Public
Gelegenheit zur Stellungnahme R. 262A VerfO2024-02-16Not public
Art 58 UPCA Application2024-02-16Not public
Aufforderung zur Verwendung R. 262A-Workflow2024-02-15Public
CR-122024-02-15Not public
CR-12024-02-15Not public
CR-82024-02-15Not public
CONFIDENTIAL CR-32024-02-15Not public
CR-11b2024-02-15Not public
CR-142024-02-15Not public
CR-72024-02-15Not public
CR-13c2024-02-15Not public
CR-52024-02-15Not public
CR-62024-02-15Not public
CR-13b2024-02-15Not public
2024.02.15 - CR-DE Confidential Objection to Application for provisional measures2024-02-15Not public
CR-11a2024-02-15Not public
CR-102024-02-15Not public
2024.02.15 - CR-DE Confidential Objection to Application for provisional measures2024-02-15Not public
CR-172024-02-15Not public
CONFIDENTIAL CR-32024-02-15Not public
CR-152024-02-15Not public
2024.02.15 - CR-DE Confidential Objection to Application for provisional measures2024-02-15Not public
CR-22024-02-15Not public
CR-92024-02-15Not public
Art 58 UPCA application2024-02-15Not public
CR-162024-02-15Not public
CR-13a2024-02-15Not public
CR-42024-02-15Not public
Outcome of the Order2024-02-14Not public
Schließung Workflow2024-02-14Public
Outcome of the Order2024-02-14Not public
Hinweise zum Verfahren R. 262A VerfO2024-02-14Public
Receipt2024-02-14Not public
Application pursuant to RoP 92024-02-14Not public
Receipt2024-02-14Not public
Confidentiality request2024-02-13Not public
Schriftsatz2024-02-12Not public
Entscheidung über die Fristverlängerungsbitte der Antragstellerin2024-02-05Public
Anhörung R. 323.2 VerfO2024-02-01Not public
Outcome of the Order2024-02-01Not public
Möglichkeit der Stellungnahme2024-02-01Public
Receipt2024-02-01Not public
Schriftsatz2024-02-01Not public
Verfahrensleitende Anordnung2024-02-01Not public
Receipt2024-01-30Not public
Language request2024-01-30Not public
Hinzuziehung eines TQJ2024-01-29Not public
Comments on ORD_3015/20242024-01-29Not public
Möglichkeit zum Upload der Stellungnahme der Antragsgegnerin2024-01-25Not public
Comments on ORD_3015/20242024-01-25Not public
Notification Of Service2024-01-22Not public
Zustellung Curio Bioscience2024-01-22Not public
Acknowledgement of access to case2024-01-22Not public
Hinzuziehung eines TQJ2024-01-18Not public
Aufforderung zur Erhebung Einspruch2023-12-05Not public
Aufforderung zur Erhebung Einspruch2023-12-05Not public
Template-Order2023-12-05Not public
Aufforderung zur Erhebung Einspruch2023-12-05Not public
Aufforderung zur Erhebung Einspruch2023-12-05Not public
Letter for Service2023-12-05Not public
Panel-Appointment2023-12-05Not public
Application-For-Measures-Receipt2023-12-05Not public
Formal-checks_Notification-of-positive-outcome2023-12-05Not public
Application-For-Measures-Acknowledgement2023-12-04Not public
Anlage BP03 - 10x Genomics2023-12-04Not public
Anlage BP15 - 10x Genomics2023-12-04Not public
Anlage BP17a - 10x Genomics2023-12-04Not public
Anlage BP17 - 10x Genomics2023-12-04Not public
Anlage BP14 - 10x Genomics2023-12-04Not public
Anlage BP12 - 10x Genomics2023-12-04Not public
Anlage BP06 - 10x Genomics2023-12-04Not public
Anlage BP13 - 10x Genomics2023-12-04Not public
Anlage BP05 - 10x Genomics2023-12-04Not public
Anlage BP01 - 10x Genomics2023-12-04Not public
Antrag auf Erlass einstweiliger Maßnahmen2023-12-04Not public
Anlage BP15a - 10x Genomics2023-12-04Not public
Anlage BP02 - 10x Genomics2023-12-04Not public
Anlage BP04 - 10x Genomics2023-12-04Not public
Anlage BP11 - 10x Genomcis2023-12-04Not public
Anlage BP09 - 10x Genomics2023-12-04Not public
Anlage BP08 - 10x Genomics2023-12-04Not public
Anlage BP10 - 10x Genomics2023-12-04Not public
Anlage BP07 - 10x Genomics2023-12-04Not public
Anlage BP12a - 10x Genomics2023-12-04Not public
Anlage BP16 - 10x Genomics2023-12-04Not public
Coverage: Partial.Reasoning extracted with partial coverage — some sections may be incomplete.
Plain-English summary

10x Genomics obtained a preliminary injunction before the Düsseldorf Local Division against Curio Bioscience prohibiting it from offering, marketing, using, importing or storing spatially-localised nucleic acid detection arrays in Germany, France and Sweden, finding prima facie infringement of EP 2 697 391 B1. The PI was conditional on 10x Genomics providing EUR 2,000,000 security; each party was ordered to pay the other EUR 100,000 in interim costs; Curio's application for security for costs was rejected as inapplicable in ex parte urgent proceedings.

Accepted arguments
What the court agreed with — by party.
  • 10x Genomics has prima facie standing as registered proprietor of EP 2 697 391 B1

    ClaimantLegal basis: R. 8.5(c) RoP

    Note: Headnote 1: registration in the national patent register gives rise to a rebuttable presumption of entitlement; burden shifts to respondent to disprove.

  • prima facie infringement of EP 2 697 391 B1 (spatial transcriptomics array) by Curio Bioscience

    ClaimantLegal basis: Art. 62 UPCA; R. 211 RoP

    Note: Court found sufficient prima facie case to grant PI; purpose-bound claim elements (Zweckangaben) were interpreted as limiting scope to arrays suitable for the stated purpose.

  • purpose statements in patent claims limit the protected subject matter to items suitable for the stated purpose

    ClaimantLegal basis: Art. 69 EPC

    Note: Headnote 2: purpose indications in claims define the subject matter to require suitability for that purpose, not merely geometric features.

  • urgency established: knowledge of infringement arises from constructive knowledge where patent holder is put on notice of circumstances likely indicating infringement

    ClaimantLegal basis: Art. 62 UPCA; R. 211 RoP

    Note: Headnote 3: gross negligent ignorance or deliberate closing of eyes is equivalent to positive knowledge for urgency; no general market monitoring obligation but specific suspicious circumstances trigger a duty to investigate.

  • R. 158 RoP on security for costs applies to both parties including defendants in inter partes proceedings, but not by analogy to ex parte PI proceedings given urgency character and R. 211.1(d) RoP

    ClaimantLegal basis: Art. 69(4) UPCA; R. 158 RoP; R. 211.1(d) RoP

    Note: Headnote 4: the court rejected Curio's application for security for costs in the PI proceeding, holding R. 158 has no application (analogy or otherwise) in ex parte urgent proceedings.

Rejected arguments
What the court did not agree with — and why.
  • security for costs should be ordered against 10x Genomics in the provisional measures proceedings

    RespondentLegal basis: R. 158 RoP; R. 211.1(d) RoP

    Reason: R. 158 RoP does not apply in ex parte provisional measures proceedings given their urgent character and R. 211.1(d) RoP.

Claim construction notes

EP 2 697 391 B1 claims arrays for spatially localised nucleic acid detection comprising a substrate with multiple capture probe types, each with a position domain and a poly-T capture domain with at least 10 deoxythymidine residues, oriented with a free 3' end as extension primer. The court confirmed that purpose language ('for use in') limits scope to arrays suitable for and intended for localised nucleic acid detection in tissue samples.