# 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. - **Patent:** US 10702600 - **Original title:** Betacoronavirus mRNA vaccine - **Owner:** ModernaTx Inc - **Granted:** 2020 - **Status:** Active - **Times cited:** 46 - **Field:** biotech, pharmaceutical ## What it does 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. ## 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. ## 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. ## Real-world examples 1. Moderna COVID-19 vaccine (Spikevax) ## Why it matters 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. ## 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. **Full plain-English explainer:** https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/10702600/betacoronavirus-mrna-vaccine **Original patent:** https://patents.google.com/patent/US10702600 --- _Source: PatentBrief — https://patentbrief.org. Patent facts are from public records; the plain-English explanation is PatentBrief's._ ## Related patents Semantically similar inventions in the PatentBrief corpus: - [How Modified RNA Tricks Cells Into Making Proteins Without Triggering Attacks](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/8278036/rna-containing-modified-nucleosides-and-methods-of-use-thereof) — A breakthrough method for using modified RNA to deliver instructions to cells without causing the body to reject the treatment as a foreign invader. - [How an mRNA Vaccine Targets Prostate Cancer with Six Antigens](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/20160166668/composition-and-vaccine-for-treating-prostate-cancer) — This patent describes an mRNA vaccine designed to treat prostate cancer by delivering genetic instructions for a specific combination of six prostate-related proteins, teaching the body to fight the cancer. - [Delivering Large Gene Editing Tools into Cells with Hybrid Virus-Lipid Packages](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/12350368/delivery-of-large-payloads) — This patent describes a sophisticated delivery system that combines parts of a virus with a fat bubble (liposome) to efficiently transport large molecules, like CRISPR gene-editing components, into specific cells. - [How to Build Tiny Lipid Capsules to Deliver Genetic Medicines](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/10155945/method-of-producing-lipid-nanoparticles-for-drug-delivery) — A precise method for creating small, stable lipid bubbles that safely carry genetic material like siRNA into cells for medical treatment. - [How Synthetic Peptides Block Immune System Overreaction](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/10106579/orkambi-lumacaftor-ivacaftor) — A patent describing specific synthetic peptides designed to stop the body's immune system from attacking healthy cells by blocking a protein called C5.