Taq polymerase patent (not)

[Paul N Hengen]

Dr. Duncan Clark (duncan at genesys.demon.co.uk) wrote:

> Oh dear,  Roche have lost their European Patent Application for Taq 
> polymerase (see Nature 11th July).

: This is not strictly true. Both the recombinant taq patent and the PCR
: process patent are granted in Europe. I don't see that much is going to
: change in the near future as virtually all enzyme sold is recombinant
: and through licensed companies. From an article in New Scientist I
: thought Roche had until October to respond. Only if it is abandoned then
: will it they have lost the native patent.  

Then, in the mean time, can I isolate a huge batch of native Taq in
my Euro-subsidiary lab as long as I promise I won't use it for PCR? ;-)

--
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