What is the purpose of the biological deposit requirement in patent applications?

The biological deposit requirement serves a crucial purpose in patent applications involving biological materials. According to MPEP 2406.01:

“Where an invention is, or relies on, a biological material, the disclosure may include reference to a deposit of such biological material.”

This requirement ensures that:

• The public can access and reproduce the claimed invention
• The patent specification meets the enablement and written description requirements
• The biological material is available for experimental verification and further research

By depositing biological materials, inventors provide a tangible reference that complements the written description, enhancing the clarity and reproducibility of their inventions.

To learn more:

• biological deposit
• patent application
• enablement
• written description