How Novartis Engineered Antibodies to Block the TIM-3 Immune Checkpoint
A patent describing specific genetic blueprints for antibodies designed to bind to and inhibit the TIM-3 protein, a key target in cancer and immune system research.
Original patent title: “Antibody molecules to TIM-3 and uses thereof”
A patent describing specific genetic blueprints for antibodies designed to bind to and inhibit the TIM-3 protein, a key target in cancer and immune system research. Granted to Novartis AG in 2019 with 62 claims and 10 forward citations.
Key facts
Coverage
What does this patent actually cover?
This patent defines the specific genetic sequences (nucleic acid molecules) required to produce antibodies that target TIM-3, a protein found on the surface of immune cells. By binding to TIM-3, these antibodies act as a molecular key that can potentially unlock the immune system's ability to fight tumors. The patent lists precise amino acid sequences for the 'variable regions' of the antibodies—the parts that actually grab onto the target. These sequences are organized into specific combinations (CDR sets) that ensure the antibody binds to TIM-3 with high specificity.
The gap
What does this patent NOT cover?
- Does not cover any antibody that binds to TIM-3 using different amino acid sequences than those explicitly listed in the claimsclaimsThe numbered statements at the end of a patent that legally define what the inventor owns.Read more →.
- Does not cover the general concept of targeting TIM-3, only the specific antibody structures defined by the provided SEQ ID sequences.
- Does not cover therapeutic methods or clinical protocols for treating patients, only the genetic material for creating the antibodies themselves.
These exclusions are unique to PatentBrief — derived from the actual claim language, not patent-office boilerplate.
What made this novel
The innovation lies in the specific arrangement of the Complementarity Determining Regions (CDRs). These are the hyper-variable loops on an antibody that dictate what it binds to; by identifying these exact sequences, the inventors created a high-affinity 'lock and key' fit for the TIM-3 protein that avoids off-target effects.
Schematic visualization of the patent's claim structure. Hand-drawn diagrams in progress for each landmark patent.
Where you've seen this
Real-world examples
Experimental cancer immunotherapies
Immuno-oncology research pipelines
Checkpoint inhibitor drug development
Why it matters
The bigger picture
TIM-3 is a major 'checkpoint' protein. When cancer cells exploit these checkpoints, they effectively put the immune system to sleep. By developing antibodies that block this interaction, researchers aim to wake up the immune system to attack cancer. This patent represents a foundational piece of intellectual property for Novartis in the competitive field of immuno-oncology.
Filed
February 14, 2017
Granted
November 12, 2019
Market context
Who's building on this
Companies in this space
Novartis is the primary developer, but the broader field of TIM-3 inhibition is being explored by major pharmaceutical companies like AstraZeneca and various biotech startups focused on next-generation checkpoint inhibitors.
Market impact
This patent strengthens the intellectual property moat around Novartis's immuno-oncology portfolio. It contributes to the broader industry trend of moving beyond PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors to 'next-wave' checkpoint targets, which is a multi-billion dollar area of oncology research.
Claim 1 — Plain English
What this patent covers
This patent defines the specific genetic sequences (nucleic acid molecules) required to produce antibodies that target TIM-3, a protein found on the surface of immune cells. By binding to TIM-3, these antibodies act as a molecular key that can potentially unlock the immune system's ability to fight tumors. The patent lists precise amino acid sequences for the 'variable regions' of the antibodies—the parts that actually grab onto the target. These sequences are organized into specific combinations (CDR sets) that ensure the antibody binds to TIM-3 with high specificity.
The clever bit
The innovation lies in the specific arrangement of the Complementarity Determining Regions (CDRs). These are the hyper-variable loops on an antibody that dictate what it binds to; by identifying these exact sequences, the inventors created a high-affinity 'lock and key' fit for the TIM-3 protein that avoids off-target effects.
What it does not cover
- Does not cover any antibody that binds to TIM-3 using different amino acid sequences than those explicitly listed in the claims.
- Does not cover the general concept of targeting TIM-3, only the specific antibody structures defined by the provided SEQ ID sequences.
- Does not cover therapeutic methods or clinical protocols for treating patients, only the genetic material for creating the antibodies themselves.
Patent timeline
Application submitted to the patent office
Application published, typically 18 months after filing
Patent officially issued
PatentBrief Score
Impact Score
Moderate
Citation count
21/40
Early citations
Claim breadth
20/20
Very broad protection
Recency
10/20
Granted 5–10 years ago
Assignee scale
0/20
Independent or smaller assigneeassigneeThe entity that owns the patent — usually the inventor's employer or a company.Read more →
PatentBrief Impact Score — based on citation count, claim breadth, recency, and assignee scale. Not a legal assessment.
Heuristic Value Estimate
What this patent might be worth
$288K – $922K
Midpoint $576K · 10.7 yr remaining · industry ×3.0
Heuristic only — blends forward/backward citation counts, claim scope, time remaining, litigation history, and CPC-derived industry baseline. Real valuations need a professional appraisal.
The original legal language
Original claims
62 claims as filed with the patent office.
Concepts involved
Citations
Patent lineage
Cite this patent
DeKruyff, R. H., Brannetti, B., Mataraza, J. M., Vasquez, M., Freeman, G. J., Blattler, W. A., Hicklin, D. J., Huber, T., Pietzonka, T., Sabatos-Peyton, C. A., Harris, A. S., Hu, T., Taraszka, J. A., Umetsu, D. T., & Xu, F. (2019). How Novartis Engineered Antibodies to Block the TIM-3 Immune Checkpoint (U.S. Patent No. 10,472,419). U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/10472419/keytruda-pembrolizumab
Auto-generated from the patent record. Double-check author order and the issue date against the official USPTO document before submitting.
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Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What does How Novartis Engineered Antibodies to Block the TIM-3 Immune Checkpoint cover?
A patent describing specific genetic blueprints for antibodies designed to bind to and inhibit the TIM-3 protein, a key target in cancer and immune system research.
Who owns patent US 10472419?
Novartis AG owns this patent, granted in 2019.
When does this patent expire?
This patent is expected to expire on November 12, 2039, when the invention enters the public domain.
What is patent US 10472419 cited by?
This patent has been cited by 10 later patents that build on its ideas.
What problem does this patent solve?
TIM-3 is a major 'checkpoint' protein. When cancer cells exploit these checkpoints, they effectively put the immune system to sleep. By developing antibodies that block this interaction, researchers aim to wake up the immune system to attack cancer. This patent represents a foundational piece of intellectual property for Novartis in the competitive field of immuno-oncology.
What does this patent NOT cover?
Does not cover any antibody that binds to TIM-3 using different amino acid sequences than those explicitly listed in the claims.
Same assignee
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