MPEP § 2403 — Deposit of Biological Material (Annotated Rules)

§2403 Deposit of Biological Material

USPTO MPEP version: BlueIron's Update: 2025-12-31

This page consolidates and annotates all enforceable requirements under MPEP § 2403, including statutory authority, regulatory rules, examiner guidance, and practice notes. It is provided as guidance, with links to the ground truth sources. This is information only, it is not legal advice.

Deposit of Biological Material

This section addresses Deposit of Biological Material.

Key Rules

Topic

Deposit of Biological Materials

7 rules
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-2403-dd4f20bd9a8c341175d541e4]
Rules for Depositing Biological Materials
Note:
This rule outlines the procedures for depositing biological materials in patents, focusing on enablement and description requirements under 35 U.S.C. 112.

37 CFR 1.801 indicates that the rules pertaining to deposits for purposes of patents for inventions under 35 U.S.C. 101 are intended to relate to biological material. For the purposes of these rules, the term “biological material” is defined in terms of a non-exhaustive list of representative materials which can be deposited in accordance with the procedures defined in these rules. These rules are intended to address procedural matters in the deposit of biological material for patent purposes. They are not designed to decide substantive issues such as whether a deposit of a particular organism or material would be recognized or necessary for the purposes of satisfying the statutory requirements for patentability under 35 U.S.C. 112. The issue of the need to make a deposit of biological material typically arises under 35 U.S.C. 112(a) with regard to the enablement requirement, although the issue may also arise under the written description or best mode requirement of the statute. Deposit issues may also arise under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) with respect to the claims.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.801Deposit of Biological MaterialsPatent EligibilityDisclosure Requirements
StatutoryPermittedAlways
[mpep-2403-9626ae0f7a382a40693fb45c]
Definition of Biological Materials for Patent Deposits
Note:
This rule defines the term 'biological material' in terms of a non-exhaustive list of representative materials that can be deposited according to specified procedures for patent purposes.

37 CFR 1.801 indicates that the rules pertaining to deposits for purposes of patents for inventions under 35 U.S.C. 101 are intended to relate to biological material. For the purposes of these rules, the term “biological material” is defined in terms of a non-exhaustive list of representative materials which can be deposited in accordance with the procedures defined in these rules. These rules are intended to address procedural matters in the deposit of biological material for patent purposes. They are not designed to decide substantive issues such as whether a deposit of a particular organism or material would be recognized or necessary for the purposes of satisfying the statutory requirements for patentability under 35 U.S.C. 112. The issue of the need to make a deposit of biological material typically arises under 35 U.S.C. 112(a) with regard to the enablement requirement, although the issue may also arise under the written description or best mode requirement of the statute. Deposit issues may also arise under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) with respect to the claims.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.801Deposit of Biological MaterialsPatent EligibilityDisclosure Requirements
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-2403-0fb76d558841eec4bfebfd47]
Procedures for Depositing Biological Materials
Note:
These rules outline the procedural requirements for depositing biological materials in patent applications to satisfy statutory requirements under 35 U.S.C. 101.

37 CFR 1.801 indicates that the rules pertaining to deposits for purposes of patents for inventions under 35 U.S.C. 101 are intended to relate to biological material. For the purposes of these rules, the term “biological material” is defined in terms of a non-exhaustive list of representative materials which can be deposited in accordance with the procedures defined in these rules. These rules are intended to address procedural matters in the deposit of biological material for patent purposes. They are not designed to decide substantive issues such as whether a deposit of a particular organism or material would be recognized or necessary for the purposes of satisfying the statutory requirements for patentability under 35 U.S.C. 112. The issue of the need to make a deposit of biological material typically arises under 35 U.S.C. 112(a) with regard to the enablement requirement, although the issue may also arise under the written description or best mode requirement of the statute. Deposit issues may also arise under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) with respect to the claims.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.801Deposit of Biological MaterialsPatent EligibilityDisclosure Requirements
StatutoryPermittedAlways
[mpep-2403-992d79277ccbdd3ce37f3c0d]
Deposit of Biological Material Required for Enablement
Note:
A deposit of biological material is typically required under the enablement requirement of 35 U.S.C. 112(a), though it may also be necessary for written description or best mode requirements.

37 CFR 1.801 indicates that the rules pertaining to deposits for purposes of patents for inventions under 35 U.S.C. 101 are intended to relate to biological material. For the purposes of these rules, the term “biological material” is defined in terms of a non-exhaustive list of representative materials which can be deposited in accordance with the procedures defined in these rules. These rules are intended to address procedural matters in the deposit of biological material for patent purposes. They are not designed to decide substantive issues such as whether a deposit of a particular organism or material would be recognized or necessary for the purposes of satisfying the statutory requirements for patentability under 35 U.S.C. 112. The issue of the need to make a deposit of biological material typically arises under 35 U.S.C. 112(a) with regard to the enablement requirement, although the issue may also arise under the written description or best mode requirement of the statute. Deposit issues may also arise under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) with respect to the claims.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.801Deposit of Biological MaterialsDisclosure RequirementsPatent Eligibility
StatutoryPermittedAlways
[mpep-2403-c3e76669ed6eceec9afd505f]
Deposits Not Defined for Biological Materials
Note:
The rule does not specify what biological materials must be deposited to meet the requirements of 35 U.S.C. 112.

37 CFR 1.801 does not attempt to identify what biological material either needs to be or may be deposited to comply with the requirements of 35 U.S.C. 112. For the most part, this issue must be addressed on a case-by-case basis. Thus, while the Office does not currently contemplate that there would be any situations where a material that is not capable of self-replication either directly or indirectly would be acceptable as a deposit, an applicant is clearly not precluded by these rules from attempting to show in any given application why the deposit of such a material should be acceptable to satisfy the requirements of 35 U.S.C. 112. The examiner is cautioned against requiring that a specific biological material be deposited where the applicant can show that a deposit of starting material that is currently not available to the public would allow the skilled artisan to make and use the claimed invention. For example, where a claimed invention is drawn to a plant having novel properties produced by the insertion of a proprietary gene at a specific locus, the plant per se need not be deposited if deposit of a vector or hybridoma containing the gene would enable one of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the claimed invention without undue experimentation.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.801Deposit of Biological MaterialsDisclosure Requirements
StatutoryPermittedAlways
[mpep-2403-2d7f29eb0a8c41d35aea4d1c]
Deposit Not Required If Public Starting Material Sufficient
Note:
Examiners should not require deposit of a specific biological material if the applicant can demonstrate that a public starting material would allow skilled artisans to make and use the claimed invention.

37 CFR 1.801 does not attempt to identify what biological material either needs to be or may be deposited to comply with the requirements of 35 U.S.C. 112. For the most part, this issue must be addressed on a case-by-case basis. Thus, while the Office does not currently contemplate that there would be any situations where a material that is not capable of self-replication either directly or indirectly would be acceptable as a deposit, an applicant is clearly not precluded by these rules from attempting to show in any given application why the deposit of such a material should be acceptable to satisfy the requirements of 35 U.S.C. 112. The examiner is cautioned against requiring that a specific biological material be deposited where the applicant can show that a deposit of starting material that is currently not available to the public would allow the skilled artisan to make and use the claimed invention. For example, where a claimed invention is drawn to a plant having novel properties produced by the insertion of a proprietary gene at a specific locus, the plant per se need not be deposited if deposit of a vector or hybridoma containing the gene would enable one of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the claimed invention without undue experimentation.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.801Deposit of Biological MaterialsDisclosure Requirements
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-2403-3ecdea4f0ecc796a647550db]
Plant Per Se Need Not Be Deposited If Vector Contains Gene
Note:
A plant with novel properties due to a proprietary gene does not need to be deposited if the vector containing the gene can enable one of ordinary skill in the art to make and use it without undue experimentation.

37 CFR 1.801 does not attempt to identify what biological material either needs to be or may be deposited to comply with the requirements of 35 U.S.C. 112. For the most part, this issue must be addressed on a case-by-case basis. Thus, while the Office does not currently contemplate that there would be any situations where a material that is not capable of self-replication either directly or indirectly would be acceptable as a deposit, an applicant is clearly not precluded by these rules from attempting to show in any given application why the deposit of such a material should be acceptable to satisfy the requirements of 35 U.S.C. 112. The examiner is cautioned against requiring that a specific biological material be deposited where the applicant can show that a deposit of starting material that is currently not available to the public would allow the skilled artisan to make and use the claimed invention. For example, where a claimed invention is drawn to a plant having novel properties produced by the insertion of a proprietary gene at a specific locus, the plant per se need not be deposited if deposit of a vector or hybridoma containing the gene would enable one of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the claimed invention without undue experimentation.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.801Deposit of Biological MaterialsDisclosure Requirements
Topic

35 U.S.C. 112 – Disclosure Requirements

3 rules
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-2403-488f585b8cb2c16463de1510]
Deposit Rules Do Not Decide Patentability
Note:
The rules for depositing biological material do not determine whether a deposit is necessary to satisfy the patentability requirements under 35 U.S.C. 112.

37 CFR 1.801 indicates that the rules pertaining to deposits for purposes of patents for inventions under 35 U.S.C. 101 are intended to relate to biological material. For the purposes of these rules, the term “biological material” is defined in terms of a non-exhaustive list of representative materials which can be deposited in accordance with the procedures defined in these rules. These rules are intended to address procedural matters in the deposit of biological material for patent purposes. They are not designed to decide substantive issues such as whether a deposit of a particular organism or material would be recognized or necessary for the purposes of satisfying the statutory requirements for patentability under 35 U.S.C. 112. The issue of the need to make a deposit of biological material typically arises under 35 U.S.C. 112(a) with regard to the enablement requirement, although the issue may also arise under the written description or best mode requirement of the statute. Deposit issues may also arise under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) with respect to the claims.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.801Disclosure RequirementsDeposit of Biological MaterialsPatent Eligibility
StatutoryPermittedAlways
[mpep-2403-ed41f97c2b9baa2fe0e9d62e]
Deposit Requirement for Claims Under 112(b)
Note:
The rule indicates that deposit issues may arise under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) regarding claims, ensuring proper disclosure and support.

37 CFR 1.801 indicates that the rules pertaining to deposits for purposes of patents for inventions under 35 U.S.C. 101 are intended to relate to biological material. For the purposes of these rules, the term “biological material” is defined in terms of a non-exhaustive list of representative materials which can be deposited in accordance with the procedures defined in these rules. These rules are intended to address procedural matters in the deposit of biological material for patent purposes. They are not designed to decide substantive issues such as whether a deposit of a particular organism or material would be recognized or necessary for the purposes of satisfying the statutory requirements for patentability under 35 U.S.C. 112. The issue of the need to make a deposit of biological material typically arises under 35 U.S.C. 112(a) with regard to the enablement requirement, although the issue may also arise under the written description or best mode requirement of the statute. Deposit issues may also arise under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) with respect to the claims.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.801Disclosure RequirementsDeposit of Biological MaterialsPatent Eligibility
StatutoryRequiredAlways
[mpep-2403-2b118e37fbc553f845105f32]
Deposit Not Required for Non-Replicating Materials
Note:
An applicant can show why a non-self-replicating material should be acceptable to satisfy the disclosure requirements of 35 U.S.C. 112.

37 CFR 1.801 does not attempt to identify what biological material either needs to be or may be deposited to comply with the requirements of 35 U.S.C. 112. For the most part, this issue must be addressed on a case-by-case basis. Thus, while the Office does not currently contemplate that there would be any situations where a material that is not capable of self-replication either directly or indirectly would be acceptable as a deposit, an applicant is clearly not precluded by these rules from attempting to show in any given application why the deposit of such a material should be acceptable to satisfy the requirements of 35 U.S.C. 112. The examiner is cautioned against requiring that a specific biological material be deposited where the applicant can show that a deposit of starting material that is currently not available to the public would allow the skilled artisan to make and use the claimed invention. For example, where a claimed invention is drawn to a plant having novel properties produced by the insertion of a proprietary gene at a specific locus, the plant per se need not be deposited if deposit of a vector or hybridoma containing the gene would enable one of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the claimed invention without undue experimentation.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.801Disclosure RequirementsDeposit of Biological Materials

Citations

Primary topicCitation
35 U.S.C. 112 – Disclosure Requirements
Deposit of Biological Materials
35 U.S.C. § 101
35 U.S.C. 112 – Disclosure Requirements
Deposit of Biological Materials
35 U.S.C. § 112
35 U.S.C. 112 – Disclosure Requirements
Deposit of Biological Materials
35 U.S.C. § 112(a)
35 U.S.C. 112 – Disclosure Requirements
Deposit of Biological Materials
35 U.S.C. § 112(b)
35 U.S.C. 112 – Disclosure Requirements
Deposit of Biological Materials
37 CFR § 1.801

Source Text from USPTO’s MPEP

This is an exact copy of the MPEP from the USPTO. It is here for your reference to see the section in context.

BlueIron Last Updated: 2025-12-31