3.2.13.Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH) based on a WO‑ISA established by the EPO as ISA
3.2.038The PPH enables applicants whose claims have been determined to be patentable/allowable to have a corresponding application that has been filed with a PPH partner office processed in an accelerated manner while at the same time allowing the offices involved to exploit available work results.
3.2.039Under the PPH (pilot) programme at the EPO, a PPH request can also be based on the latest PCT work product, i.e. the WO‑ISA or the IPER. Where the EPO is the ISA (and/or IPEA) and the international application contains claims that are determined to be patentable/allowable by the EPO as ISA (and/or IPEA), the applicant may, under the PPH (pilot) programme, request accelerated examination at the EPO's PPH partner offices. The EPO maintains a comprehensive PPH programme with the other IP5 offices, i.e. CNIPA, JPO, KIPO and USPTO, and has launched bilateral PPH (pilot) programmes with CIPO (Canada), ILPO (Israel), IMPI (Mexico), IPOS (Singapore), IPA (Australia), SIC (Colombia), MyIPO (Malaysia), IPOPHL (Philippines), INDECOPI (Peru) and SAIP (Saudi Arabia).
3.2.040Irrespective of the PPH (pilot) programme, any applicant may request accelerated examination under the PACE programme in the procedure before the EPO as designated or elected Office, at any time. For more information on the PACE programme, please refer to points 5.1.036 ff.