New USPTO granted patent strengthens KeyGene’s global patent estate in Next Generation Sequencing (NGS)

On April 13, 2021, the USPTO granted to KeyGene U.S. Patent No. 10,978,175 entitled “Strategies for high throughput identification and detection of polymorphisms”, relating to an innovative product that facilitates streamlined and multiplex library preparation for sequencing.

The patent covers a synthetic double-stranded adapter comprising a 3’-T overhang and an identifier sequence. Such barcoded 3’-T overhang adapter encompasses a synthetic double-stranded or partly double-stranded adapter containing a ‘T’-base overhang for orienting ligation to an A-tailed DNA fragment or amplicon. These adapters find application in many workflows of Next Generation Sequencing methods, which have a wide reach in medical and agricultural research and diagnostics, ranging from scoring Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) markers linked to valuable traits in crops and animals to detection of specific mutations associated with human diseases.

Grant of these product claims by the USPTO further confirms KeyGene worldwide leading position in the Next Generation Sequencing technology. The patent compliments KeyGene’s earlier patents on the use of 3’-T overhang adapters in Europe, China, Japan and USA, including U.S. Patent No. 10,095,832 on a kit comprising a 3’-T overhang adapter and a set of primers for PCR amplification issued on October 9, 2018.

KeyGene offers access to its NGS patent estate through strategic partnerships, research services and licenses, and remains committed to providing broad access to these powerful methods through its global licensing program for interested parties in all life sciences fields.