The European Patent Office (EPO) has granted patent EP3597770B1, which covers a DNA chip technology for detecting bacteria responsible for dental caries. The patent is effective March 18, 2026, and lists Kazuto Takayama as the inventor. This grant signifies the EPO's recognition of the novelty and utility of this diagnostic tool.

While this is a patent grant and not a regulatory rule imposing direct compliance obligations, entities involved in developing or utilizing diagnostic technologies for oral health may find this patent relevant for intellectual property considerations. Companies in the biotechnology and medical device sectors should be aware of this granted patent, particularly if their research or product development overlaps with DNA-based detection methods for oral pathogens.