1. Pre-Grant Opposition under Section 25.(1) of Indian Patent Act 1970

TKDL Pre-Grant Opposition under Section 25.(1) brought to the notice of examination division the prior art references on the use of Lycopersicon lycopersicum (Tomato) for the treatment of obesity from the book – Agathiyar Kanma Kaandam by Agasthiyar (Siddha, Exhibit 1).

2. Relevant Extract of CGPDTM Examination report

CGPDTM Patent Examiner(s) took cognizance of TKDL references. Extract of examination report at Para 1 & 8 are reproduced below.

“Objections:

Subject matter of the claimed invention lacks novelty and inventive step u/s 2(1(j)) of the Patents Act, 1970 in view of below cited documents along with the citations given in the pre grant opposition filed by TKDL. :

D4 :( Source: TKDL) ME02/34 Kirandhiku Ennai :
Useful in the Treatment of following Diseases : Stomatitis(Vaai Pun),Leprosy and other dermatoses(Thol Pinigal),Gonorrhoea (Seezh Megam,Vellai noi,Mega noi),Glandular swelling in the form of an abscess occuring chiefly in such parts of the body(Kiranthi),*(Senkiranthi,Sevaappu),*(Karukiranthi,Karuvaappu),Leucorrhoea(Vellai noi,Vettai noi,Megam),Scabies, Itch(Sori sirangu),Polyuria / Diabetes insipidus (Adhimoothiram,Thooymai neer,Udhaga megam),
IPC Codes : A61K 129/00, A61K 131/00, A61K 133/00, A61K 35/20, A61K 35/22, A61K 35/413, A61K Knowledge Known Since : 500 years
Bibliography : Pulippani vaithiyam 500,
Keyword(s)/Ingredient(s) : Benincasa hispida (Thunb.) Cogn.(Boosani, Kalyana poosani, Poosanikkai) Unripe fruit(Pazhakkaai),Pandanus tectorius Soland. ex Park.(Thazhai, Kandal, kedakai, Madi, Muchali, Mudangal, Mundagam, Mugadakkan) Adventitious root(Vizhudhu),Aloe barbadensis Mill.(Katrazhai,Kumari, Chirukatrazhai, Rattabolam, Kariyabolam) Leaf(Ilai,Thazhai),Callicarpa tomentosa Murr.(Kaattu kumil,Vetrilai pattai) Stem bark(Thandu Pattai, Mara pattai),Phyllanthus emblica Linn. Syn.: Emblica officinalis Gaertn.(Nelli) Fruit rind(Pazha odu,Pazha thol),Eclipta prostrata (Linn.) Linn. Syn.: E. alba (Linn.) Hassk. (Kaiyanthakarai, Vellai karisalai) St.Bark,Leaf,Flower,Fruit&Root(Samoolam),Centella asiatica (Linn.) Urban(Yosanavalli, Saraswathy, Sandaki, Vallarai) Leaf(Ilai,Thazhai),Aegle marmelos Correa ex Roxb.(Vilvam ,koovilum,sivathurumum, Maaloram, Vilvo) Leaf(Ilai,Thazhai),Alternanthera sessilis (Linn.) DC.(Ponnanganni koduppai,seethai) Leaf(Ilai,Thazhai),Cadaba trifoliate W. &A.(Maravizhuthi, Manudukkurundu, Vizhuthi) ,Capparis zeylanica Linn.(Aathondai,Igudi, Indu, Migupalathan,Katthotti,Kaka turathi, Viyanicham, Tulambikkiri) Leaf(Ilai,Thazhai),Lycopersicon lycopersicum (Linn.) Karst. ex Farw. Syn. L. esculentum Mill. (Thakkali, Seemaithakkali) Leaf(Ilai,Thazhai),Rotula aquatica Lour. syn. and other ingredients.

D5:GR07/52 Kiraanikku Leghyam ( see annexure 1)
Useful in the Treatment of following Diseases : Tuberculosis / Pthysis(Elaippu,Sayam,Raja yashmam,Visushi),Dysentery/Gastroenterocolitis(Nina kazhichal),Diarrhoea(Perumkazhichal),Pain(Vali),Dryness(Varatchi),Vomiting / Emesis (Vaanthi,Sarthi,Vamanam,Vaayaalaedutthal),Hiccough(Vikkal,Ikma,Vikkul),Obesity (Udal Paruman,Athi IPC Codes : A61K 125/00, A61K 131/00, A61K 35/20, A61K 36/00, A61K 36/185, A61K 36/19, A61K Knowledge Known Since : 1000 years
Bibliography : Agathiyar Kanmakandam 300,
Keyword(s)/Ingredient(s) : Lycopersicon lycopersicum (Linn.) Karst. ex Farw. Syn. L. esculentum Mill. (Thakkali, Seemaithakkali) Seed(Vidhai,Vithu,Kottai) and other ingredients.

D6:GR07/55 Kumari Thylam (see annexure 2)
Useful in the Treatment of following Diseases : Cough / Bronchitis(Irumal,Kaasam),Tuberculosis/Pthysis(Elaippu,Sayam,Raja yashmam,Visushi),Bronchial asthma(Eraippu Erunal),Cataract(Thimiram, Pithakkaasam, Kan poo),Hypertension / Hypotension(Uyar Kuruthi Azhuttham,Ratha pittham,Pitthaadhikkam),Vomiting/Emesis(Vaanthi,Sarthi,Vamanam,Vaayaalaedutthal),Intra abdominal tuberculosis in children (Ulaimaanthai),Ocular pain due to chronic glaucoma / Trigeminal Neuralgia(Kuvalai),Abscess (Katti, Vipuruthi, Silanthi),Hypertrophic or chronic rhinitis/frontal sinusitis(Mandaikutthu),Ozaena, sinusitis(HR)(Neer Kovai),Gonorrhoea (Seezh Megam,Vellai noi,Mega noi),Colic (Soolai),Pittaja(Azhal,Pittham),Giddiness/Vertigo(Kiru Kiruppu/Thalai Chutru),Syncope/Fainting(Mayakkanoi,Sanniyaasam),Vataja(Vali,Vaatham,Vaayu),Anuria / Suppression of urine(Neer Churukku),Pyrexia(Suram),Heat(Soodu, Vaeppam),Dryness(Varatchi),Obesity (Udal Paruman,Athi thoola noi),
IPC Codes : A61K 131/00, A61K 35/20, A61K 36/00, A61K 36/185, A61K 36/19, A61K 36/21, A61K
Knowledge Known Since : 1000 years
Keyword(s)/Ingredient(s) :,Lycopersicon lycopersicum (Linn.) Karst. ex Farw. Syn. L. esculentum Mill. (Thakkali, Seemaithakkali),Milk(Paal,payam,keer and other ingredients.
Claims 1-12 of the present application lacks novelty and inventive step in view of above cited documents. Different uses of Lycopersicon are indicated in above cited documents. TKDL references shows the effect of tomato along with other ingredients in the treatment of obesity as also claimed in the present application. Thus the claims 1-12 which are related to different uses of tomato are obvious in view of above discussed prior art AND LACKS NOVELTY AND INVENTIVE STEP.

Claims 1-12 falls under section 3(p) of the Patents Act, 1970 as medicinal property of extract of tomato given the claims are known traditionally. The invention as claimed is traditional knowledge and aggregation or duplication of known properties of traditionally known components.”

Full examination report can be referred at 6415-DELNP-2007.pdf

3. Outcomes of Pre-Grant Opposition & Examination Report.

As the outcome of TKDL Pre-Grant Opposition and other documents cited in examination report, the examination is under process and reply is still awaited from the Applicant PROVEXIS NATURAL PRODUCTS LIMITED/ Great Britain.