Department of Health & Human Services Requests Reexamination of Patent

U.S. Patent No. 6,653,104 covers an anti-cancer antibody and is owned by the pharmaceutical company Immunomedics.  In a seemingly unprecedented move, the U.S. Government Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) has requested an inter-partes reexamination of the issued patent. 

Does Immunomedics have any case for arguing that the reexamination request should be denied and that the U.S. Government can only obtain reexamination through a Director Ordered Reexam?

Link:

• IP Law Bulletin's Article Covering the Issue (Subscription Req'd)
• Official Gazette Notice
• Request for Reexam