This page is an FAQ based on guidance from the Manual of Patent Examining Procedure. It is provided as guidance, with links to the ground truth sources. This is information only: it is not legal advice.
The ST.26 Standard, as mentioned in MPEP 2415.01, has significantly impacted Sequence Listing submissions:
- It requires all Sequence Listings to be in XML format
- It applies to applications filed on or after July 1, 2022
- It affects both national and international applications
The MPEP states: “For applications filed on or after July 1, 2022, all sequence listings must be submitted as an XML file named ‘SequenceListing.xml’ in accordance with the ‘Standard for the Presentation of Nucleotide and Amino Acid Sequence Listings in Patent Applications’ (hereinafter ‘ST.26 Standard’).”
This change standardizes the format of Sequence Listings across different patent offices, improving consistency and facilitating easier processing and analysis of sequence data.