How Moderna's mRNA Vaccine Technology Targets Betacoronaviruses
A patent describing a specific mRNA vaccine design that uses lipid nanoparticles to deliver genetic instructions for building parts of a betacoronavirus to trigger an immune response.
Original patent title: “Betacoronavirus mRNA vaccine”
A patent describing a specific mRNA vaccine design that uses lipid nanoparticles to deliver genetic instructions for building parts of a betacoronavirus to trigger an immune response. Granted to ModernaTx Inc in 2020 with 30 claims and 46 forward citations, and it is expected to expire in 2040.
Coverage
What does this patent actually cover?
The patent claimsclaimsThe numbered statements at the end of a patent that legally define what the inventor owns.Read more → a vaccine composition that uses messenger RNA (mRNA) to teach the body how to produce a betacoronavirus spike (S) protein. This mRNA is protected and transported into cells using a lipid nanoparticle, which is a tiny fat-based bubble. The specific design includes chemical modifications to the mRNA, such as 1-methylpseudouridine, to help the body accept the genetic instructions without triggering an unwanted inflammatory reaction. The lipid nanoparticle itself is a precise mixture of an ionizable cationic lipid, a neutral lipid like DSPC, cholesterol, and a PEG-modified lipid.
The gap
What does this patent NOT cover?
- Does not cover vaccines using traditional weakened or inactivated viruses.
- Does not cover mRNA sequences that encode proteins unrelated to betacoronavirus S proteins.
- Does not cover delivery methods other than the specific lipid nanoparticle formulations described.
- Does not cover the use of unmodified (non-chemically modified) mRNA.
These exclusions are unique to PatentBrief — derived from the actual claim language, not patent-office boilerplate.
Key facts
What made this novel
The innovation lies in combining a specific, highly optimized lipid nanoparticle formulation with chemically modified mRNA that mimics natural human RNA, allowing the body to produce the viral protein safely without being destroyed by the immune system before it can be recognized.
The Patent Drawing
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
Moderna COVID-19 vaccine (Spikevax)
Why it matters
The bigger picture
This patent represents the core technical architecture used by Moderna to rapidly develop its COVID-19 vaccine. By standardizing the delivery vehicle and the mRNA modification process, it enabled a platform approach to vaccine development that can be adapted to different viral targets by simply swapping the genetic code for the specific spike protein.
Filed
February 28, 2020
Granted
July 7, 2020
Market context
Who's building on this
Companies in this space
Moderna remains the primary entity building on this platform, utilizing this specific lipid nanoparticle and mRNA modification architecture for its ongoing pipeline of infectious disease vaccines, including candidates for influenza and RSV.
Market impact
This patent helped establish the commercial viability of the mRNA platform, shifting the pharmaceutical industry's focus toward rapid-response genetic medicine. It triggered significant investment in lipid nanoparticle delivery systems and solidified mRNA as a standard modality for future pandemic preparedness.
Claim 1 — Plain English
What this patent covers
The patent claims a vaccine composition that uses messenger RNA (mRNA) to teach the body how to produce a betacoronavirus spike (S) protein. This mRNA is protected and transported into cells using a lipid nanoparticle, which is a tiny fat-based bubble. The specific design includes chemical modifications to the mRNA, such as 1-methylpseudouridine, to help the body accept the genetic instructions without triggering an unwanted inflammatory reaction. The lipid nanoparticle itself is a precise mixture of an ionizable cationic lipid, a neutral lipid like DSPC, cholesterol, and a PEG-modified lipid.
The clever bit
The innovation lies in combining a specific, highly optimized lipid nanoparticle formulation with chemically modified mRNA that mimics natural human RNA, allowing the body to produce the viral protein safely without being destroyed by the immune system before it can be recognized.
What it does not cover
- Does not cover vaccines using traditional weakened or inactivated viruses.
- Does not cover mRNA sequences that encode proteins unrelated to betacoronavirus S proteins.
- Does not cover delivery methods other than the specific lipid nanoparticle formulations described.
- Does not cover the use of unmodified (non-chemically modified) mRNA.
Patent timeline
Application submitted to the patent office
Application published, typically 18 months after filing
Patent officially issued
Patent enters public domain
PatentBrief Score
Impact Score
Strong
Citation count
33/40
Moderately cited
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
$527K – $1.7M
Midpoint $1.1M · 13.6 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.
Claim text not yet imported for this patent
The original legal language
Original claims
30 claims as filed with the patent office.
Concepts involved
Citations
Patent lineage
Cite this patent
Ciaramella, G., & Himansu, S. (2020). How Moderna's mRNA Vaccine Technology Targets Betacoronaviruses (U.S. Patent No. 10,702,600). U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/10702600/betacoronavirus-mrna-vaccine
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 Moderna's mRNA Vaccine Technology Targets Betacoronaviruses cover?
A patent describing a specific mRNA vaccine design that uses lipid nanoparticles to deliver genetic instructions for building parts of a betacoronavirus to trigger an immune response.
Who owns patent US 10702600?
ModernaTx Inc owns this patent, granted in 2020.
When does this patent expire?
This patent is expected to expire on February 28, 2040, when the invention enters the public domain.
What is patent US 10702600 cited by?
This patent has been cited by 46 later patents that build on its ideas.
What problem does this patent solve?
This patent represents the core technical architecture used by Moderna to rapidly develop its COVID-19 vaccine. By standardizing the delivery vehicle and the mRNA modification process, it enabled a platform approach to vaccine development that can be adapted to different viral targets by simply swapping the genetic code for the specific spike protein.
What does this patent NOT cover?
Does not cover vaccines using traditional weakened or inactivated viruses.
Patent monitoring