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(11)

EP 4 581 164 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 09.07.2025 Bulletin 2025/28 (21) Application number: 23776768.6 (22) Date of filing: 31.08.2023

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC):  C12Q 1/6883(2018.01) C12Q 1/6888(2018.01) (52) Cooperative Patent Classification (CPC): C12Q 1/6883; C12Q 1/6888; C12Q 2600/112; C12Q 2600/156 (86) International application number: PCT/US2023/031742 (87) International publication number: WO 2024/050035 (07.03.2024 Gazette 2024/10)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC ME MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR Designated Extension States: BA Designated Validation States: KH MA MD TN (30) Priority: 02.09.2022 US 202263403542 P (71) Applicant: MARS INCORPORATED McLean, VA 22101 (US)

(72) Inventors: HOLCOMBE, Lucy, Jane Waltham on the Wolds, Melton Mowbray Leicestershire LE14 4RT (GB) WALLIS, Corryn, Victoria Waltham on the Wolds, Melton Mowbray Leicestershire LE14 4RT (GB) RUPARELL, Avika, Kishorlal Waltham on the Wolds, Melton Mowbray Leicestershire LE14 4RT (GB) HARRIS, Steve Leicester Leicestershire LE7 7LS (GB) OAKDEN, Alison Waltham on the Wolds, Melton Mowbray Leicestershire LE14 4RT (GB) GIBBS, Matthew, Ronald Waltham on the Wolds, Melton Mowbray Leicestershire LE14 4RT (GB) (74) Representative: Haseltine Lake Kempner LLP  One Portwall Square Portwall Lane Bristol BS1 6BH Bristol BS1 6BH (GB)