The Trump administration is warning Harvard University that it could take over its patents, worth hundreds of millions of dollars, if a review finds the university hasn’t complied with federal law, an escalation of the continuing negotiations between the White House and America’s oldest university.

In a letter sent to Harvard President Alan M. Garber on Friday, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick alleges the university failed to follow several regulations outlined in federal law.

The Trump administration on Friday ordered a comprehensive review of Harvard University's federally funded research programs, and threatened to take title to or grant licenses from the school's lucrative portfolio of patents.