Patent Deposit

CCOS is a recognized International Depositary Authority (IDA) for microorganisms for patent procedures under the Budapest Treaty. It was awarded the IDA status by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) on 16 January 2017. Since the description of newly invented complex biological structures is not yet possible those bio materials need to be deposited at an internationally recognized storage facility. After the material has been deposited at a recognized and independent culture collection like CCOS the patent offices can approve the patent.

With its Patent Deposit service CCOS guarantees secure and confidential storage of biological material for a minimum of 30 years required for patent procedures. Under the Budapest Treaty, the material cannot be reclaimed, after the applicant has made the deposit.

Accepted Material
CCOS accepts various biological materials like cell cultures, bacteria, cyanobacteria, fungi, yeasts, nucleic acids (DNA, RNA, plasmids, genomic libraries), algae, bacteriophages, nematodes, protozoa and mixed cultures up to BSL 2. The material has to be well documented in terms of its description and origin and CCOS’ methods of preservation and cultivation (for the viability statement) should be applicable. Please, do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions.

Patent Deposit Procedure
To use CCOS’ Patent Deposit please proceed as follows

1. Fill in the entire application form found on our homepage and send it to us.
2. CCOS checks your application and sends you the BioStorage contract for Patent Deposits.
3. After signing the contract, you can send us 21 samples of your biological material preferably in standard cryotubes (H 47.3 mm, D 13.1 mm, 2ml) or as lyophilisates. CCOS offers an optional BioService for the production of copies of your material. If you choose this service, please provide 2 samples in any kind of common scientific shape.
4. CCOS makes an entry check of your material and tests the viability at the beginning of the storage.
5. If you choose the BioService, CCOS sends you a sample of the material back for verification. You then have to state that it is the same biological material which you initially had sent to us.
6. Your Patent Deposit receives a CCOS number so that the material can be identified at any time.
7. Finally, you will receive a confirmation and a viability statement for your patent office.
8. Your material will be stored for 30 years according the Budapest Treaty.
9. CCOS keeps your Patent Deposit confidential and furnish samples only in accordance to the rules of the Budapest Treaty.

See our price list for the costs of your Patent Deposit.

Depositor Benefits

• Your deposit will be made in Switzerland
• Your deposit is strictly confidential
• Your deposit is recognized as valid by all countries accepted by the Budapest Treaty
• Your material will not be listed in the public strain catalogue
• Your material will be stored in state-of-the-art cryostorage facilities
• The storage facilities are temperature monitored and controlled
• If needed, you can use our additional BioService
• We offer Lock Boxes for extra security during shipment of your Patent Deposit material

Depositor Duties

• You need to maintain another stock of your material in your laboratory
• You need to ensure refilling your storage stock if the Patent Deposit material is depleting - CCOS can support you with the production of copies