The European Patent Office granted patent EP4185699A1 to Pairwise Plants Services, Inc. on March 25, 2026. The patent covers optimized protein linkers and methods of use, with inventors Sharon Leigh Guffy and Joseph Matthew Watts. The technology is classified under C12N 15/62, C12N 9/22, and C12N 9/78. Protection extends to 37 designated states including all EU member states, the UK, Switzerland, Norway, and Turkey.

Competitors developing similar protein linker technologies for plant applications should review this patent for potential infringement risks and consider whether licensing is necessary. Companies conducting research in genome editing (C12N 9/22) and deaminase applications (C12N 9/78) in plant systems should assess whether their technologies fall within the patent's scope. Legal counsel should be consulted for freedom-to-operate opinions if developing competing products for European markets.