CSHL Reports That the U.S. Patent Office Denies All 4 Petitions Filed by Benitec Biopharma against CSHL’s shRNA Patents

COLD SPRING HARBOR, N.Y.–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (CSHL) is pleased to report that the U.S.
Patent & Trademark Office has denied all 4 petitions filed by Benitec
Biopharma Ltd seeking to invalidate CSHL’s patents directed to shRNA.

“We are happy with the result, but are not surprised.” said Dr. Bruce
Stillman, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Laboratory. “CSHL
vigorously defended its patents against these challenges. Dr. Gregory
Hannon and his team, though their pioneering work at CSHL, are
recognized around the world for having developed shRNA to knock down
gene expression in mammalian cells. Benitec’s claims to the contrary
were rejected by the Patent Office. We look forward to enhancing our
shRNA licensing program with this well-deserved confirmation by the
Patent Office of CSHL’s key role in this technology.”

About Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory

Celebrating its 125th anniversary in 2015, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
has shaped contemporary biomedical research and education with programs
in cancer, neuroscience, plant biology and quantitative biology. Home to
eight Nobel Prize winners, the private, not-for-profit Laboratory
employs 1,100 people including 600 scientists, students and technicians.
The Meetings & Courses Program hosts more than 12,000 scientists from
around the world each year on its campuses in Long Island and in Suzhou,
China. The Laboratory’s education arm also includes an academic
publishing house, a graduate school and programs for middle and high
school students and teachers. For more information, visit www.cshl.edu

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