Project TE 110, existing example C-1
Level/Categories
CL 1b, 2b3, 2d, 3a, 3b
AL 1b, 2b3, 2d, 3a, 3b
Documents (Classification is based on GB 2 179 947 A)
GB 2 179 947 A
DE 3 623 474 A1
FR 2 584 727 A
Short Version of the Disclosure
The extraction of proteins from milk is described. The starting material in this process is raw
milk from which the casein and the fatty substances have been substantially removed. Such
milk or lactoserum concentrated by ultrafiltration is used to obtain proteins capable of fixing
iron, like lactotransferrins or immunoglobulins. These proteins are obtained in a single
adsorption-elution stage on an ion exchanger, under particularly mild conditions. The process
comprises therefore adsorbing the proteins on a cationic resin, followed by elution whereby
adsorption and elution is carried out at substantially the same pH in the range from 5 to 8,5.
Representative Prior Art
FR 2 505 615 - extraction of proteins capable of fixing iron like lactotransferrins and
immunoglobulins from casein free milk or concentrated lactoserum. For the extraction the
proteins are adsorbed on a solid support like silicon dioxide in weak basic environment at a
pH greater than 7,5 and eluated in an acidic environment at a pH below 4.
Invention Information
I1: A process for the extraction of proteins from milk free of casein and fatty substances is
described. The extraction is done on an ion exchanger, in which the adsorption and elution of
proteins is carried out at substantially the same pH (see claim 1). The milk used in the process
is concentrated by ultrafiltration (see claims 9 to 12). For the extraction a preferably weak
cationic resin is used (see claims 5 and 6) and a pH of from 5 to 8,5 is chosen (see claims 7
and 8). The elution is being effected by modifying the ionic strength, e.g. by means of sodium
chloride (see page 1, line 57 to 64 and claim 3). The different ionic strengths are chosen so as
to enable separation of the desired proteins. After elution the desired proteins are submitted to
the action of a complexing agent to increase their capacity for fixing iron (see page 2, line 10
to 14 and claim 4).
I2: Products, lactotransferrins and immunoglobulins obtained by the process of I1 (see claims
15 to 17).
I3: Pharmaceutical compositions comprising at least one product of I2 (see claim 18).
Additional Information
A1: The lactotransferrin obtained by the described process retains its bacteriostatic properties
and has therefore a useful therapeutic activity, which is important information even in regard
to the claimed pharmaceutical compositions (see page 2, line 18 to 22 and claim 18).
Identification of Potential Subclasses
Subject Matter
Tool
Query
IPC Places
I1
Catchword Index
Proteins/Peptides
C07K
I2
Catchword Index
Proteins/Peptides
C07K
I3
Catchword Index
PHARMACEUTICAL preparations
A61K
A1
Note (5) after title of
A61K
Therapeutic activity
medicinal preparations
A61P
Analysis and Selection of Classification Symbols
Core Level
I1: A process for extraction of proteins is of interest. The use of the catchwords
“proteins/peptides” leads to subclass C07K. In accordance with Note (4) following the title of
class C07 the process for the extraction of proteins from milk is to be classified in main group
C07K 1/00. According to Note (3) after C07, the last place priority rule applies in the range
C07C-C07K and within each of these subclasses. Because of Note (4), this rule thus is only of
importance for the compounds (proteins) as such. Main group C07K 1/00 covers “General
processes for the preparation of peptides” and is therefore a correct group.
Attention is drawn to note (1), bullet (4) after the title of subclass C07K, indicating that in this
subclass the term "peptides" includes "proteins".
I2: The extracted lactotransferrins and immunoglobulins represent important information
for the inventive step and are claimed, so these substances have to be classified (see claims 16
and 17). C07K has a main group C07K 14/00 which is directed to peptides having more than
20 amino acids. With subgroup C07K 14/435 it is possible to specify the extracted
lactoproteins as proteins from an animal. Therefore C07K 14/435 is a correct subgroup.
Furthermore C07K 16/00 defines immunoglobulins. By using sub group C07K 16/04 it is
possible to specify the immunoglobulins as immunoglobulins from milk. Therefore C07K
16/04 is as well a correct classification place.
I3: The “pharmaceutical composition” (see claim 18) is an informative part of the invention
because of the bacteriostatic properties of the lactotransferrins (see page 2, lines 20 to 22). In
this case the use of the catchphrase “pharmaceutical preparations” leads to subclass A61K.
Medicinal preparations containing peptides are covered by A61K 38/00. Lactotransferrins are
peptides with more than 20 amino acids, so that A61K 38/04 is first of all the correct one dot
group. According to the classification of the peptides per se in C07K, in A61K a specification
of the peptides as lactoferrins is possible as well in A61K 38/40. The last place priority rule
leads in addition to A61K 39/395 for classifying a medicinal preparation containing
immunoglobulins.
A1: In the description of the document (see page 2, lines 20 to 22) it is mentioned that the
isolated lactotransferrins have bacteriostatic properties. Note (5) after the title of A61K refers
to subclass A61P where therapeutic activity of medicinal preparations is classified.
Substances which show bacteriostatic properties are called “Antibiotics” which are covered
by main group A61P 31/00, the correct group for classification of this additional information.
The more important aspect is the process for the extraction of proteins and thus, classification
symbol C07K 1/00 which most adequately represents the invention should be listed first
(Guide paragraph 156).
Advanced Level
I1: A process for extraction of proteins is of interest. The use of the catchwords
“proteins/peptides” leads to subclass C07K. In accordance with Note (4) following the title of
class C07 the process for the extraction of proteins from milk is to be classified in main group
C07K 1/00. According to Note (3) after C07, the last place priority rule applies in the range
C07C-C07K and within each of these subclasses. Because of Note (4), this rule thus is only of
importance for the compounds (proteins) as such.
The fact that the extraction of the protein is done by “adsorption on ion exchanger” leads to
C07K 1/18. For the extraction of the proteins an ultrafiltration step has to be done as well, so
that C07K 1/36 is according to the last place priority rule the right classification for the
claimed process. To keep the information that an ultrafiltration step and an ion exchanger are
used in this process, C07K 1/18 and C07K 1/34 should be mentioned as well.
Attention is further drawn to note (1), bullet (4) after the title of subclass C07K, indicating
that in this subclass the term "peptides" includes "proteins".
I2: The extracted lactotransferrins and immunoglobulins represent important information
for the inventive step and are claimed, so these substances have to be classified (see claims 16
and 17). The catchwords “proteins/peptides” lead to subclass C07K. A chemist or biochemist
would recognise that lactotransferrins are peptides with more than 20 amino acids and
therefore are proper for C07K 14/00. The subdivision of C07K 14/00 is carried out according
to the origin of the peptide. The lactotransferrins are extracted from milk and are therefore
from animals, which is considered in C07K 14/435. In subgroup C07K 14/79 transferrins and
namely lactoferrins are mentioned as special types of peptides from animals or humans, which
is therefore a correct classification place.
Immunoglobulins are a special form of peptides and are covered by C07K 16/00. The origin
of the immunoglobulins is as well the criteria for the subdivision of C07K 16/00. Immunoglobulins from milk are covered by C07K 16/04.
I3:
The “pharmaceutical composition” (see claim 18) is an informative part of the
invention because of the bacteriostatic properties of the lactotransferrins (see page 2, lines 20
to 22). In this case the use of the catchphrase “pharmaceutical preparations” leads to subclass
A61K. Medicinal preparations containing peptides are covered by A61K 38/00.
Lactotransferrins are peptides with more than 20 amino acids, so that A61K 38/04 is first of
all the correct one dot group. According to the classification of the peptides per se in C07K, in
A61K a specification of the peptides as lactoferrins is possible as well in A61K 38/40. The
last place priority rule leads in addition to A61K 39/395 for classifying a medicinal
preparation containing immunoglobulins.
A1: In the description of the document (see, page 2, lines 20 to 22) it is mentioned that the
isolated lactotransferrins have bacteriostatic properties. Note (5) after the title of A61K refers
to subclass A61P where therapeutic activity of medicinal preparations is classified.
Substances which show bacteriostatic properties are called “Antibiotics” and are covered by
main group A61P 31/00. With A61P 31/04 a further specification as an antibacterial agent is
possible.
The more important aspect is the process for the extraction of proteins and thus, classification
symbol C07K 1/36 which most adequately represents the invention should be listed first
(Guide paragraph 156).
Subject
Matter
Analysis of Subclass
Selection
Subclass
Analysis of Group
Selection
IPC CL
IPC(2006)
I1
Subclass/group title
C07K
Last place priority rule
C07K 1/00
I2
Subclass/group title
C07K
Last place priority rule
C07K 14/435
C07K 16/04
I3
Subclass/group title
A61K
Last place priority rule
A61K 38/40
A61K 39/395
A1
Note in A61K
A61P
Common rule
A61P 31/00
IPC AL
C07K 1/36
(2006.01)
C07K 1/34
(2006.01)
C07K 1/18
(2006.01)
C07K 14/79
(2006.01)
C07K 16/04
(2006.01)
A61K 38/40
(2006.01)
A61 K 39/395
(2006.01)
A61P 31/04
(2006.01)
Complete Classification
The complete core and advanced level classification for this document based on the above
analysis is as follows:
Core Level
Int.Cl.(2006)
C07K 1/00
C07K 14/435
C07K 16/04
A61K 38/40
A61K 39/395
A61P 31/00
Advanced Level
Int.Cl.
C07K 1/36 (2006.01)
C07K 1/34 (2006.01)
C07K 1/18 (2006.01)
C07K 14/79 (2006.01)
C07K 16/04 (2006.01)
A61K 38/40 (2006.01)
A61K 39/395 (2006.01)
A61P 31/04 (2006.01)