MPEP § 2164.06(b) — Examples of Enablement Issues — Biological and Chemical Cases (Annotated Rules)

§2164.06(b) Examples of Enablement Issues — Biological and Chemical Cases

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

This page consolidates and annotates all enforceable requirements under MPEP § 2164.06(b), 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.

Examples of Enablement Issues — Biological and Chemical Cases

This section addresses Examples of Enablement Issues — Biological and Chemical Cases. Contains: 2 requirements and 10 other statements.

Key Rules

Topic

Scope Commensurate with Disclosure

6 rules
MPEP GuidanceInformativeAlways
[mpep-2164-06-b-36589ccaa7d592fea86c672b]
Scope Must Be Supported by Description
Note:
The specification must teach how to make and use the invention as broadly as it is claimed, even if some specific claims are not enabled.

The following summaries should not be relied on to support a case of lack of enablement without carefully reading the case.

Id. at 1050, 29 USPQ2d at 2013.

Jump to MPEP SourceScope Commensurate with DisclosureTest of Enablement (MPEP 2164.01)Enablement Support for Claims
MPEP GuidanceInformativeAlways
[mpep-2164-06-b-503394e1a3a8a31d7000f063]
Claims Must Be Commensurate with Disclosure
Note:
Claims must cover only what is disclosed and enabled in the specification, even if broader claims are made.

The following summaries should not be relied on to support a case of lack of enablement without carefully reading the case.

Although protein expression in dicotyledonous plant cells was enabled, the claims covered protein expression in any plant cell.

Jump to MPEP SourceScope Commensurate with DisclosureTest of Enablement (MPEP 2164.01)Enablement Support for Claims
MPEP GuidanceInformativeAlways
[mpep-2164-06-b-e77b06fc53135791fdc88dd8]
Enablement for Monocot Cells Not Disclosed
Note:
The specification must disclose how to enable the use of the claimed method in monocot plant cells as of 1987.

The following summaries should not be relied on to support a case of lack of enablement without carefully reading the case.

The examiner provided evidence that even as late as 1987, use of the claimed method in monocot plant cells was not enabled.

Jump to MPEP SourceScope Commensurate with DisclosureTest of Enablement (MPEP 2164.01)
MPEP GuidanceInformativeAlways
[mpep-2164-06-b-fce8861a6e6645b8da798ba7]
Claims Must Be Supported by Enabled Method for All Claimed Cells
Note:
The claims must be supported by an enabled method for all plant cells claimed, including monocots as demonstrated in Goodman's case.

The following summaries should not be relied on to support a case of lack of enablement without carefully reading the case.

Id. at 1051, 29 USPQ2d at 2014.

Jump to MPEP SourceScope Commensurate with DisclosureTest of Enablement (MPEP 2164.01)Enablement Support for Claims
MPEP GuidanceInformativeAlways
[mpep-2164-06-b-6b272c07269643aa9f738caa]
Claims Must Be Supported by Enabling Disclosure
Note:
The claims must be supported by an enabling disclosure that covers the full scope of the claimed invention, especially in biological cases where the biology is not well understood.

The following summaries should not be relied on to support a case of lack of enablement without carefully reading the case.

(D) In In re Vaeck, 947 F.2d 488, 495, 20 USPQ2d 1438, 1444 (Fed. Cir. 1991), the court found that several claims to a chimeric gene capable of being expressed in Cyanobacteria cells were not supported by an enabling disclosure.

Jump to MPEP SourceScope Commensurate with DisclosureEnablement Support for ClaimsGenus and Species Claims
MPEP GuidanceInformativeAlways
[mpep-2164-06-b-db88ff51a229c99a77656a03]
Disclosure Must Be Adequate for Cyanobacteria Genera
Note:
The claims must be supported by adequate disclosure of the specific cyanobacterial genera used in the invention, given the incomplete understanding of cyanobacteria biology at the filing date.

The following summaries should not be relied on to support a case of lack of enablement without carefully reading the case.

The court then reasoned that the claims were not enabled after “[t]aking into account the relatively incomplete understanding of the biology of cyanobacteria as of appellants’ filing date, as well as the limited disclosure by appellants of the particular cyanobacterial genera operative in the claimed invention….”

Jump to MPEP SourceScope Commensurate with DisclosureFiling Date Deficiency Notice
Topic

Patent Application Content

5 rules
MPEP GuidanceInformativeAlways
[mpep-2164-06-b-2000d9c8e8b3147b0ed614c2]
Enablement Must Be Commensurate with Claims
Note:
The specification must provide sufficient enablement for the full scope of the claims, especially in unpredictable technologies like genetic antisense.

The following summaries should not be relied on to support a case of lack of enablement without carefully reading the case. (A) In Enzo Biochem, Inc. v. Calgene, Inc., 188 F.3d 1362, 52 USPQ2d 1129 (Fed. Cir. 1999), the court held that two patents with claims directed to genetic antisense technology (which aims to control gene expression in a particular organism), were invalid because the breadth of enablement was not commensurate in scope with the claims. Both specifications disclosed applying antisense technology in regulating three E. coli genes. Despite the limited disclosures, the specifications asserted that the “[t]he practices of this invention are generally applicable with respect to any organism containing genetic material which is capable of being expressed … such as bacteria, yeast, and other cellular organisms.” Thus, the court construed the claims to encompass the application of antisense methodology in a broad range of organisms. Ultimately, the court relied on the fact that (1) the amount of direction presented and the number of working examples provided in the specification were very narrow compared to the wide breadth of the claims at issue, (2) antisense gene technology was highly unpredictable, and (3) the amount of experimentation required to adapt the practice of creating antisense DNA from E. coli to other types of cells was quite high, especially in light of the record, which included notable examples of the inventor’s own failures to control the expression of other genes in E. coli and other types of cells. Thus, the teachings set forth in the specification provided no more than a “plan” or “invitation” for those of skill in the art to experiment using the technology in other types of cells.

Jump to MPEP SourcePatent Application Content
MPEP GuidanceInformativeAlways
[mpep-2164-06-b-c20a75387228bcd521cecc9e]
Specification Must Describe Antisense Technology Broadly
Note:
The specification must provide sufficient detail to enable the application of antisense technology across various organisms, not just E. coli.

The following summaries should not be relied on to support a case of lack of enablement without carefully reading the case. (A) In Enzo Biochem, Inc. v. Calgene, Inc., 188 F.3d 1362, 52 USPQ2d 1129 (Fed. Cir. 1999), the court held that two patents with claims directed to genetic antisense technology (which aims to control gene expression in a particular organism), were invalid because the breadth of enablement was not commensurate in scope with the claims. Both specifications disclosed applying antisense technology in regulating three E. coli genes. Despite the limited disclosures, the specifications asserted that the “[t]he practices of this invention are generally applicable with respect to any organism containing genetic material which is capable of being expressed … such as bacteria, yeast, and other cellular organisms.” Thus, the court construed the claims to encompass the application of antisense methodology in a broad range of organisms. Ultimately, the court relied on the fact that (1) the amount of direction presented and the number of working examples provided in the specification were very narrow compared to the wide breadth of the claims at issue, (2) antisense gene technology was highly unpredictable, and (3) the amount of experimentation required to adapt the practice of creating antisense DNA from E. coli to other types of cells was quite high, especially in light of the record, which included notable examples of the inventor’s own failures to control the expression of other genes in E. coli and other types of cells. Thus, the teachings set forth in the specification provided no more than a “plan” or “invitation” for those of skill in the art to experiment using the technology in other types of cells.

Jump to MPEP SourcePatent Application Content
MPEP GuidanceInformativeAlways
[mpep-2164-06-b-1ab95ef2804c8ec41e23e360]
Breadth of Claims Must Be Supported by Enablement
Note:
The claims must be supported by enablement, especially when the specification limits the disclosure to a narrow range but asserts broader applicability.

The following summaries should not be relied on to support a case of lack of enablement without carefully reading the case. (A) In Enzo Biochem, Inc. v. Calgene, Inc., 188 F.3d 1362, 52 USPQ2d 1129 (Fed. Cir. 1999), the court held that two patents with claims directed to genetic antisense technology (which aims to control gene expression in a particular organism), were invalid because the breadth of enablement was not commensurate in scope with the claims. Both specifications disclosed applying antisense technology in regulating three E. coli genes. Despite the limited disclosures, the specifications asserted that the “[t]he practices of this invention are generally applicable with respect to any organism containing genetic material which is capable of being expressed … such as bacteria, yeast, and other cellular organisms.” Thus, the court construed the claims to encompass the application of antisense methodology in a broad range of organisms. Ultimately, the court relied on the fact that (1) the amount of direction presented and the number of working examples provided in the specification were very narrow compared to the wide breadth of the claims at issue, (2) antisense gene technology was highly unpredictable, and (3) the amount of experimentation required to adapt the practice of creating antisense DNA from E. coli to other types of cells was quite high, especially in light of the record, which included notable examples of the inventor’s own failures to control the expression of other genes in E. coli and other types of cells. Thus, the teachings set forth in the specification provided no more than a “plan” or “invitation” for those of skill in the art to experiment using the technology in other types of cells.

Jump to MPEP SourcePatent Application Content
MPEP GuidanceRequiredAlways
[mpep-2164-06-b-86b549263ac1c84c9ea226a5]
Specification Must Provide Adequate Guidance for All Claimed Inventions
Note:
The specification must provide sufficient direction and support to enable those skilled in the art to make and use all claimed inventions, especially when the technology is highly unpredictable and requires significant experimentation.

The following summaries should not be relied on to support a case of lack of enablement without carefully reading the case. (A) In Enzo Biochem, Inc. v. Calgene, Inc., 188 F.3d 1362, 52 USPQ2d 1129 (Fed. Cir. 1999), the court held that two patents with claims directed to genetic antisense technology (which aims to control gene expression in a particular organism), were invalid because the breadth of enablement was not commensurate in scope with the claims. Both specifications disclosed applying antisense technology in regulating three E. coli genes. Despite the limited disclosures, the specifications asserted that the “[t]he practices of this invention are generally applicable with respect to any organism containing genetic material which is capable of being expressed … such as bacteria, yeast, and other cellular organisms.” Thus, the court construed the claims to encompass the application of antisense methodology in a broad range of organisms. Ultimately, the court relied on the fact that (1) the amount of direction presented and the number of working examples provided in the specification were very narrow compared to the wide breadth of the claims at issue, (2) antisense gene technology was highly unpredictable, and (3) the amount of experimentation required to adapt the practice of creating antisense DNA from E. coli to other types of cells was quite high, especially in light of the record, which included notable examples of the inventor’s own failures to control the expression of other genes in E. coli and other types of cells. Thus, the teachings set forth in the specification provided no more than a “plan” or “invitation” for those of skill in the art to experiment using the technology in other types of cells.

Jump to MPEP SourcePatent Application Content
MPEP GuidanceInformativeAlways
[mpep-2164-06-b-ed507251254fc990ab3ad1bd]
Claims Must Define Sufficient Dosage of Ultrasonic Energy
Note:
The claims must specify the exact dosage of ultrasonic energy required to mend a fractured bone, including intensity, frequency, and duration.

The following summaries should not be relied on to support a case of lack of enablement without carefully reading the case.

(E) In In re Colianni, 561 F.2d 220, 222-23, 195 USPQ 150, 152 (CCPA 1977), the court affirmed a rejection under 35 U.S.C. 112, first paragraph, because the claims were directed to a method of mending a fractured bone by applying “sufficient” ultrasonic energy to the bone, but applicant’s specification did not define what constituted a “sufficient” dosage or teach one of ordinary skill how to select the appropriate intensity, frequency, or duration of the ultrasonic energy.

Jump to MPEP SourcePatent Application ContentDisclosure Requirements
Topic

Test of Enablement (MPEP 2164.01)

2 rules
MPEP GuidanceRequiredAlways
[mpep-2164-06-b-2544c691b0dacc423e272559]
Specification Must Teach How to Make and Use Invention Broadly as Claimed
Note:
The specification must provide sufficient detail for those skilled in the art to make and use the invention as broadly as claimed.

The following summaries should not be relied on to support a case of lack of enablement without carefully reading the case.

The court stated that “[n]aturally, the specification must teach those of skill in the art ‘how to make and use the invention as broadly as it is claimed.’”

Jump to MPEP SourceTest of Enablement (MPEP 2164.01)Enablement Support for Claims
MPEP GuidanceInformativeAlways
[mpep-2164-06-b-29c2e9f2fd44d32ef3524e8d]
Specification Must Describe Invention Completely
Note:
The specification must teach those skilled in the art how to make and use the invention, even if specific dosages are not provided.

The following summaries should not be relied on to support a case of lack of enablement without carefully reading the case.

(C) In In re Bundy, 642 F.2d 430, 434, 209 USPQ 48, 51-52 (CCPA 1981), the court ruled that appellant’s disclosure was sufficient to enable one skilled in the art to use the claimed analogs of naturally occurring prostaglandins even though the specification lacked any examples of specific dosages, because the specification taught that the novel prostaglandins had certain pharmacological properties and possessed activity similar to known E-type prostaglandins.

Jump to MPEP SourceTest of Enablement (MPEP 2164.01)Enablement Support for Claims
Topic

Undue Experimentation

2 rules
MPEP GuidanceRequiredAlways
[mpep-2164-06-b-e5d56ffd28ae0c3ce37d5098]
Enablement for Practicing Immunoassay Using Monoclonal Antibodies
Note:
The specification must provide sufficient guidance to practice the claimed immunoassay using monoclonal antibodies without undue experimentation.

The following summaries should not be relied on to support a case of lack of enablement without carefully reading the case.

(B) In In re Wands, 858 F.2d 731, 8 USPQ2d 1400 (Fed. Cir. 1988), the court reversed the rejection for lack of enablement under 35 U.S.C. 112, first paragraph, concluding that undue experimentation would not be required to practice the claimed immunoassay using monoclonal antibodies to detect hepatitis B-surface antigen (HBsAg).

Jump to MPEP SourceUndue ExperimentationEnablement Support for ClaimsWands Factors – Undue Experimentation (MPEP 2164.01(a))
MPEP GuidanceInformativeAlways
[mpep-2164-06-b-719427f5a9b4219b2a25782d]
Specification Must Describe Monoclonal Antibody Production Process
Note:
The specification must provide detailed guidance on the entire process of producing monoclonal antibodies, including determining which hybridomas secrete the desired antibody characteristics.

The following summaries should not be relied on to support a case of lack of enablement without carefully reading the case.

The court found that the nature of monoclonal antibody technology was such that experiments first involve the entire attempt to make monoclonal hybridomas to determine which ones secrete antibody with the desired characteristics.

Jump to MPEP SourceUndue ExperimentationAmount of Direction/Guidance (Wands Factor)Level of Ordinary Skill (Wands Factor)
Topic

Enablement Support for Claims

1 rules
MPEP GuidanceRecommendedAlways
[mpep-2164-06-b-7c2ffb8ca3643090b2604f5e]
Summaries Not Reliable Without Full Reading
Note:
Summaries of case law should not be relied upon to argue lack of enablement without thoroughly reviewing the full case.
The following summaries should not be relied on to support a case of lack of enablement without carefully reading the case.
  • (A) In Enzo Biochem, Inc. v. Calgene, Inc., 188 F.3d 1362, 52 USPQ2d 1129 (Fed. Cir. 1999), the court held that two patents with claims directed to genetic antisense technology (which aims to control gene expression in a particular organism), were invalid because the breadth of enablement was not commensurate in scope with the claims. Both specifications disclosed applying antisense technology in regulating three E. coli genes. Despite the limited disclosures, the specifications asserted that the “[t]he practices of this invention are generally applicable with respect to any organism containing genetic material which is capable of being expressed … such as bacteria, yeast, and other cellular organisms.” Thus, the court construed the claims to encompass the application of antisense methodology in a broad range of organisms. Ultimately, the court relied on the fact that (1) the amount of direction presented and the number of working examples provided in the specification were very narrow compared to the wide breadth of the claims at issue, (2) antisense gene technology was highly unpredictable, and (3) the amount of experimentation required to adapt the practice of creating antisense DNA from E. coli to other types of cells was quite high, especially in light of the record, which included notable examples of the inventor’s own failures to control the expression of other genes in E. coli and other types of cells. Thus, the teachings set forth in the specification provided no more than a “plan” or “invitation” for those of skill in the art to experiment using the technology in other types of cells.
  • (B) In In re Wright, 999 F.2d 1557, 27 USPQ2d 1510 (Fed. Cir. 1993), Wright's 1983 application disclosed a vaccine against the RNA tumor virus known as Prague Avian Sarcoma Virus, a member of the Rous Associated Virus family. Wright claimed a vaccine “comprising an immunologically effective amount” of a viral expression product using functional language. Id. at 1559, 27 USPQ2d at 1511. The examiner rejected Wright's claims covering all RNA viruses as well as all avian RNA viruses. The examiner provided a teaching that, in 1988, a vaccine for another retrovirus (i.e., HIV) remained an intractable problem. This evidence, along with evidence that the RNA viruses were a diverse and complicated genus, convinced the Federal Circuit that the invention was not enabled for either all retroviruses or even for avian retroviruses.
  • (C) In In re Goodman, 11 F.3d 1046, 29 USPQ2d 2010 (Fed. Cir. 1993), Goodman's 1985 application functionally claimed a method of producing protein in plant cells by expressing a foreign gene. The court stated that “[n]aturally, the specification must teach those of skill in the art ‘how to make and use the invention as broadly as it is claimed.’” Id. at 1050, 29 USPQ2d at 2013. Although protein expression in dicotyledonous plant cells was enabled, the claims covered protein expression in any plant cell. The examiner provided evidence that even as late as 1987, use of the claimed method in monocot plant cells was not enabled. Id. at 1051, 29 USPQ2d at 2014.
  • (D) In In re Vaeck, 947 F.2d 488, 495, 20 USPQ2d 1438, 1444 (Fed. Cir. 1991), the court found that several claims to a chimeric gene capable of being expressed in Cyanobacteria cells were not supported by an enabling disclosure. The court determined that claims at issue were not limited to any particular genus or species of cyanobacteria and the specification mentioned nine genera and the working examples employed one species of cyanobacteria. The court then reasoned that the claims were not enabled after “[t]aking into account the relatively incomplete understanding of the biology of cyanobacteria as of appellants’ filing date, as well as the limited disclosure by appellants of the particular cyanobacterial genera operative in the claimed invention….”
  • (E) In In re Colianni, 561 F.2d 220, 222-23, 195 USPQ 150, 152 (CCPA 1977), the court affirmed a rejection under 35 U.S.C. 112, first paragraph, because the claims were directed to a method of mending a fractured bone by applying “sufficient” ultrasonic energy to the bone, but applicant’s specification did not define what constituted a “sufficient” dosage or teach one of ordinary skill how to select the appropriate intensity, frequency, or duration of the ultrasonic energy.
  • (A) In PPG Indus. v. Guardian Indus., 75 F.3d 1558, 1564, 37 USPQ2d 1618, 1623 (Fed. Cir. 1996), the court found PPG’s claims to a UV-absorbing, ceramide-free glass enabled, even though PPG’s specification included several examples in which faulty UV transmittance data made it appear as though the production of a cerium oxide-free glass satisfying the UV transmittance limitation would be difficult, because the specification indicated that such glass could be made. The specification was also found to indicate how to minimize the cerium content while maintaining low UV transmittance.
  • (B) In In re Wands, 858 F.2d 731, 8 USPQ2d 1400 (Fed. Cir. 1988), the court reversed the rejection for lack of enablement under 35 U.S.C. 112, first paragraph, concluding that undue experimentation would not be required to practice the claimed immunoassay using monoclonal antibodies to detect hepatitis B-surface antigen (HBsAg). The court found that the nature of monoclonal antibody technology was such that experiments first involve the entire attempt to make monoclonal hybridomas to determine which ones secrete antibody with the desired characteristics. The court found that the specification also provided considerable direction and guidance on how to practice the claimed invention and presented working examples, that all of the methods needed to practice the invention were well known, and that there was a high level of skill in the art at the time the application was filed. Furthermore, the applicant carried out the entire procedure for making a monoclonal antibody against HBsAg three times and each time was successful in producing at least one antibody which fell within the scope of the claims.
  • (C) In In re Bundy, 642 F.2d 430, 434, 209 USPQ 48, 51-52 (CCPA 1981), the court ruled that appellant’s disclosure was sufficient to enable one skilled in the art to use the claimed analogs of naturally occurring prostaglandins even though the specification lacked any examples of specific dosages, because the specification taught that the novel prostaglandins had certain pharmacological properties and possessed activity similar to known E-type prostaglandins.
Jump to MPEP SourceEnablement Support for ClaimsClaims Directed ToScope Commensurate with Disclosure
Topic

Method/Process Claims

1 rules
MPEP GuidanceInformativeAlways
[mpep-2164-06-b-b3d2943672a26a33712a18ee]
Enablement Required for All Claimed Embodiments
Note:
The specification must teach how to make and use the invention as broadly as it is claimed, even if some embodiments are not enabled.

The following summaries should not be relied on to support a case of lack of enablement without carefully reading the case.

(C) In In re Goodman, 11 F.3d 1046, 29 USPQ2d 2010 (Fed. Cir. 1993), Goodman's 1985 application functionally claimed a method of producing protein in plant cells by expressing a foreign gene.

Jump to MPEP SourceMethod/Process ClaimsScope Commensurate with Disclosure
Topic

Genus and Species Claims

1 rules
MPEP GuidanceInformativeAlways
[mpep-2164-06-b-a229923c0602ff83e38fdb10]
Claims Must Cover Multiple Genera of Cyanobacteria
Note:
The claims must cover multiple genera of cyanobacteria, not be limited to a specific species or genus as the specification mentions nine genera and only one species was used in working examples.

The following summaries should not be relied on to support a case of lack of enablement without carefully reading the case.

The court determined that claims at issue were not limited to any particular genus or species of cyanobacteria and the specification mentioned nine genera and the working examples employed one species of cyanobacteria.

Jump to MPEP SourceGenus and Species ClaimsComponents Required for Filing DatePatent Application Content
Topic

Amount of Direction/Guidance (Wands Factor)

1 rules
MPEP GuidanceInformativeAlways
[mpep-2164-06-b-379e270b7e4d02b0f3b514f8]
Specification Provides Sufficient Guidance and Examples for Invention Practice
Note:
The specification must provide sufficient direction, guidance, and working examples to enable a person skilled in the art to practice the invention without undue experimentation.

The following summaries should not be relied on to support a case of lack of enablement without carefully reading the case.

The court found that the specification also provided considerable direction and guidance on how to practice the claimed invention and presented working examples, that all of the methods needed to practice the invention were well known, and that there was a high level of skill in the art at the time the application was filed. Furthermore, the applicant carried out the entire procedure for making a monoclonal antibody against HBsAg three times and each time was successful in producing at least one antibody which fell within the scope of the claims.

Jump to MPEP SourceAmount of Direction/Guidance (Wands Factor)Level of Ordinary Skill (Wands Factor)

Citations

Primary topicCitation
Amount of Direction/Guidance (Wands Factor)
Enablement Support for Claims
Patent Application Content
Undue Experimentation
35 U.S.C. § 112
Enablement Support for Claims
Patent Application Content
In Enzo Biochem, Inc. v. Calgene, Inc., 188 F.3d 1362, 52 USPQ2d 1129 (Fed. Cir. 1999)
Enablement Support for Claims
Method/Process Claims
Scope Commensurate with Disclosure
Test of Enablement (MPEP 2164.01)
In re Goodman, 11 F.3d 1046, 29 USPQ2d 2010 (Fed. Cir. 1993)
Enablement Support for Claims
Genus and Species Claims
Scope Commensurate with Disclosure
In re Vaeck, 947 F.2d 488, 495, 20 USPQ2d 1438, 1444 (Fed. Cir. 1991)
Amount of Direction/Guidance (Wands Factor)
Enablement Support for Claims
Undue Experimentation
In re Wands, 858 F.2d 731, 8 USPQ2d 1400 (Fed. Cir. 1988)
Enablement Support for ClaimsIn re Wright, 999 F.2d 1557, 27 USPQ2d 1510 (Fed. Cir. 1993)

Source Text from USPTO’s MPEP

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BlueIron Last Updated: 2025-12-31