Posted Thursday --- February 28, 2008

U.S. upholds key stem cell patent held by Wisconsin group

MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- Federal regulators are upholding a patent that covers embryonic stem cell research discovered at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

An examiner with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office says one of three patents held by the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation can stand. It has not yet ruled on two others being challenged.

Critics had asked the patent office to throw out the patents, which cover discoveries made by UW-Madison scientist James Thomson. They argue the patents have hindered research in the U.S.

The research foundation disputes that claim.

Managing director Carl Gulbrandsen says the ruling affirms the group's contentions that Thomson's breakthroughs are patentable.

AP