PCT Patent Filings – What Can Be Learned from the Very Modest Growth in 2025

By Jill N. Link, Pharm.D.

The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) reported its data regarding 2025 international patent filings with the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT), which showed modest growth. Approximately 275,900 PCT applications were filed in 2025, a 0.7% increase over 2024 filings. This was the second consecutive year of growth for PCT filings. Is this a signal of resiliency […]

RegenxBio v. Sarepta: a friendlier Section 101 landscape for engineered biology

On February 20, 2026, the Federal Circuit reversed a Delaware district court and held that claims directed to a cultured host cell containing a recombinant nucleic acid molecule that encodes an AAV capsid protein sequence and includes a heterologous non AAV sequence are patent eligible subject matter. While this specific case speaks to gene therapy, […]

MVS Helps Guide Drake Law Students to Washington D.C.

By Nicholas J. Krob

At McKee, Voorhees & Sease (MVS), we take immense pride in contributing to the growth of the legal profession by mentoring and supporting the next generation of attorneys. One way we do this is by coaching the Drake Law School Intellectual Property Moot Court Team. This year, Mike Gilchrist and Nick Krob had the honor […]

5 Million PCT Publications – 47 Years In the Making

By Jill N. Link, Pharm.D.

Samsung Electronics of the Republic of Korea received the honor of being the five millionth published PCT on November 29, 2024. This milestone for the Patent Cooperation Treaty – generally referred to as PCT – was 47 years in the making. It was also fitting that one of the largest patent filers receives notoriety and […]

Behind the Scenes of the J.E.M. Ag Supply, Inc., v. Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. Supreme Court Arguments

By Heidi Sease Nebel

I had the privilege of being involved in the seminal U.S. Supreme Court case that held that utility patents are properly available for plant varieties, J.E.M. Ag Supply, Inc., v. Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., 534 U.S. 124 (2001). My father, Ed Sease, a named partner of our firm and a career intellectual property (IP) litigator, […]

Bayh-Dole March-In Rights in a Post Chevron World

By Charles P. Romano, Ph.D.

The bipartisan Bayh-Dole Act of 1980 which transferred ownership of patents arising from US government funded research to universities has yielded a remarkable return on investment. In its 44 years of existence, Bayh-Dole has led to over $1.3 trillion in U.S. economic growth and over 4.2 million jobs. Products ranging from pharmaceuticals Allegra, Lyrica, and […]

Plant Breeder’s Rights In Africa: A Personal Story

By Heidi Sease Nebel

I am freshly back “in country” from Accra, Ghana; and the sights, the sounds, and the frenzy of Africa still linger with me. My trip was a personal and professional highlight, as I was honored to be an invited faculty member at a joint conference between the USPTO, UPOV and ARIPO on the benefits and […]

USPTO Introduces Proposed Rule Regarding Terminal Disclaimer Practice

By Joseph M. Hallman

On May 10, 2024, a proposed rule, introduced by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), regarding the use of terminal disclaimers to obviate nonstatutory double patenting rejections was published in the Federal Register. A double patenting rejection can arise when two applications, or an application and an issued patent, have some commonality of […]

What’s in a Name? Understanding the Federal Seed Act and USDA Variety Name Clearance Program

By Melissa M. Mitchell

The name of a plant variety is not just a label; it’s a representation of years of research,development, and distinct characteristics. Variety names serve as a crucial communication toolamong farmers, researchers, distributors, and consumers. Whether it’s a new soybean cultivarresistant to common diseases or a high-yield wheat variety, the name is the first point ofreference […]

The Game-Changing Golf Bag Stand: A Catalyst for Business Deal Making

By

Did you know that the original patent for a golf bag stand was issued to inventor Talbert Dick in 1928? Talbert would go on to be the founder of the firm that today is known as McKee, Voorhees & Sease, PLC.  In the realm of business, where every handshake counts and every meeting holds potential […]