Opinion ID: 2653549
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: KARI’s Ordinary Meaning

Text: The initial inquiry is whether the plain meaning of KARI indicates that the enzyme is NADPH-dependent. While the district court found that “the scientific references almost exclusively characterize KARI enzymes as NADPH-dependent,” Opinion at , there is nothing in the record to indicate that persons of ordinary skill in the art in 2005 understood the plain meaning to be limited to dependence on NADPH as a cofactor. Gevo conceded as much at the district court, acknowledging that under KARI’s plain meaning, the enzyme converts AL to DHIV “using NADH or NADPH as a cofactor.” See Joint Appendix (“J.A.”) 10240. We agree that the plain meaning of KARI itself im- poses no limitation on the cofactor or source of electrons for the AL to DHIV conversion. The question then becomes whether the asserted claims are limited, as Gevo contends, to the use of NADPH only based principally on the “explicit definition” set forth in the patents-in-suit. See J.A. 10241.