The Cooperative Patent Classification (CPC) is a common, internationally compatible classification system for technical documents used in the patent examination and granting process. The back-file of U.S. patent documents and newly published documents now have CPC symbols. The CPC database jointly maintained by the USPTO and EPO contains more than 50 million documents, thereby providing a more comprehensive search of prior art and increased opportunities for work-sharing among offices.  Since CPC was launched, all new Pre-grant publications now carry CPC classification data and over 8000 examiners and supervisors have been trained on classifying and searching in CPC. The USPTO continues to partner closely with the EPO on the implementation, including cooperation on CPC definitions, revision projects, quality assurance, and IT. The USPTO retired the United States Classification system (USPC) at the end of 2014.  This presentation will include practical information on CPC classification practice and searching tips including the use of Combination Sets in the pharmaceutical and biotech fields.

Jerry Lorengo is currently a Director at the USPTO in Technology Center 1600 which focuses on patent matters relating to organic chemistry and biotechnology. Previously, Jerry served as Co-Program Coordinator for CPC at the USPTO where he shared responsibility for the implementation of CPC within the USPTO. Jerry joined the USPTO as an Examiner in 1996 and has served since 2005 as a Supervisory Patent Examiner in the Chemical and Materials Engineering Technology Center. Jerry holds degrees in Chemical and Metallurgical Engineering from the University of Nevada's Mackay School of Mines as well as a law degree from Catholic University's Columbus School of Law.

Kortney Klinkel is a Primary Examiner in Technology Center 1600 where she currently serves as a Quality Nominee for CPC for her Art Unit.  Kortney joined the USPTO as a general chemistry Examiner in 2007 and examines chemical compositions which encompass pharmaceuticals, pesticides, cosmetics, polymeric active ingredients and drug delivery devices, among others.  Kortney has a bachelor’s degree in both Chemistry and Physics from the University of South Dakota and a Ph.D. in Inorganic Chemistry from the University of Colorado at Boulder.