# Using Antibodies to Protect Transplanted Organs from Damage

> A medical method for preserving transplanted organs by using specific antibodies to block a protein that causes inflammation and blood vessel leakage.

- **Patent:** US 10400035
- **Original title:** Methods of protecting a solid organ transplant tissue with angiopoietin-2 antibodies
- **Owner:** University of Helsinki
- **Granted:** 2019
- **Status:** Active
- **Times cited:** 0
- **Field:** biotech, pharmaceutical

## What it does

This patent describes a way to keep a donated organ healthy after it is moved into a patient's body. It focuses on using a specific type of antibody that targets a protein called Angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2). When an organ is transplanted, it often suffers from ischemia, which is a lack of blood flow, followed by damage when blood flow returns. The method involves bathing or perfusing the organ with these antibodies to stop Ang-2 from making blood vessels leaky and causing harmful inflammation.

## What it does NOT cover

- Does not cover antibodies that bind to Angiopoietin-1 (Ang-1).
- Does not cover treatments that do not use the specific variable heavy and light chain sequences defined in the patent.
- Does not cover systemic administration of the drug to the patient's entire body, only the perfusion of the allograft itself.

## The clever bit

The innovation lies in the specific selection of an antibody that neutralizes Ang-2 while ignoring Ang-1, preventing the 'leaky vessel' effect without disrupting the healthy blood vessel maintenance provided by Ang-1.

## Real-world examples

1. Experimental organ preservation solutions used in transplant surgery research.

## Why it matters

Organ rejection is a major hurdle in transplant medicine. By targeting the specific molecular signals that cause blood vessels to fail during the transplant process, this method aims to improve the survival rate of donated organs like hearts, kidneys, or livers.

## Frequently asked questions

### What does Using Antibodies to Protect Transplanted Organs from Damage cover?

A medical method for preserving transplanted organs by using specific antibodies to block a protein that causes inflammation and blood vessel leakage.

### Who owns patent US 10400035?

University of Helsinki owns this patent, granted in 2019.

### When does this patent expire?

This patent is expected to expire on September 3, 2039, when the invention enters the public domain.

### What problem does this patent solve?

Organ rejection is a major hurdle in transplant medicine. By targeting the specific molecular signals that cause blood vessels to fail during the transplant process, this method aims to improve the survival rate of donated organs like hearts, kidneys, or livers.

### What does this patent NOT cover?

Does not cover antibodies that bind to Angiopoietin-1 (Ang-1).

**Full plain-English explainer:** https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/10400035/ocrevus-ocrelizumab

**Original patent:** https://patents.google.com/patent/US10400035

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_Source: PatentBrief — https://patentbrief.org. Patent facts are from public records; the plain-English explanation is PatentBrief's._