Update on US Patent Application
Quantum Blockchain Technologies Plc has received a "Final Rejection" for its US patent application titled "ASIC Ultra Boost" (US Patent Application No. 18/696,073) from the USPTO, citing prior art including a thesis by Rahul P. Naik and a US patent application (US2009/0262925 A1). The company believes the rejection relates to claim breadth rather than a lack of novelty and plans to refine the claims. An interview with the USPTO Examiner is scheduled for 20 April 2026, with a formal response due by 19 June 2026.
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Update on US Patent Application – ASIC Ultra Boost
Further to the Company
’
s announcement of
23 March 2026, Quantum Blockchain Technologies Plc (AIM: QBT) provides an update in relation to its US patent application titled
“
ASIC Ultra Boost” (US Patent Application No. 18/696,073)
which has received a “Final Rejection” from the United States Patent and Trademark Office (
“
USPTO
”), together with a detailed report from its US patent attorneys.
As previously disclosed, the issuance of a “Final Rejection” is a standard step in the US patent examination process, and such rejections are frequently overcome through continued patent prosecution.
The Examiner has raised an objection based on a combination of asserted prior art documents, including a thesis by Rahul P. Naik and a newly cited US patent application (US2009/0262925 A1), with additional reference to a paper by Dr Nicolas Courtois for certain dependent claims.
Mr Naik is the inventor of the ASIC Ultra Boost which constitutes the QBT’s patent application, and Dr Courtois was his former supervisor in the MSc Information Security programme within the Department of Computer Science at University College London. The patent application explicitly references Mr Naik’s prior work.
Based on an initial review, the Company understands that the Examiner
’
s concerns primarily relate to the breadth of the
patent application’s claims, rather than a fundamental lack of novelty of the underlying technology. Accordingly, the Company believes that there remains a viable pathway forward through further refinement of the claim scope.
The Company confirms that its US patent attorneys have already scheduled an interview with the USPTO Examiner on 20 April 2026, and preparations are underway to support this discussion. Comments are expected to be submitted in advance of the interview.
The deadline for responding formally to the Final Office Action is 19 June 2026. The Company is working closely with its patent attorneys to formulate a robust response strategy, which may include amended claims and/or further technical arguments.
The Company reiterates that the issuance of a Final Office Action is a common step in the US patent examination process, and that such rejections are frequently overcome through continued prosecution.
QBT will provide further updates as appropriate.
This announcement contains inside information for the purposes of Article 7 of the Market Abuse Regulation (EU) 596/2014 as it forms part of UK domestic law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 (
“
MAR”
), and is disclosed in accordance with the Company
’
s obligations under Article 17 of MAR.
Cleaned text: letterheads, contacts and legal notices removed. View the original announcement ↗ · Company filings. Not investment advice.