The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) has launched a new tool. The matter is about “WIPO Sequence”, global common software that enables patent applicants and intellectual property (IP) offices to prepare amino acid and nucleotide sequence listings, compliant with WIPO Standard ST.26, as part of a national, regional or international patent application.

WIPO Sequence Validator is another tool component that enables IP offices to verify the compliance of filed sequence listing data with WIPO ST.26.

WIPO Sequence includes the desktop application for applicants and the WIPO Sequence Validator for IP offices. Both tool components and supporting documentation are now available for free download on the WIPO website at https://www.wipo.int/standards/en/sequence/.

Member States agreed that all sequence listings being part of a patent application submitted at national, regional and international level must be compliant with WIPO Standard ST.26 from January 1, 2022,.

In order for IP offices and patent applicants to prepare for the implementation of the WIPO Standard ST.26, this version of WIPO Sequence has been published. Both IP office representatives and applicants can provide feedback to improve these tools. Feedback can be sent to the International Bureau by e-mail to the address: standards@wipo.int.

The new tool was developed in collaboration with patent offices around the world, under the guidance of the Committee on WIPO Standards.

More details about the new tool launched by WIPO can be accessed at the following address: https://www.wipo.int/standards/en/sequence/index.html.