How Engineered TALE Proteins Can Edit Genes
This patent describes engineered DNA-binding proteins called TALEs, which are shortened and modified to precisely target and edit specific DNA sequences in cells, potentially for gene therapy.
Original patent title: “DNA-binding proteins and uses thereof”
This patent describes engineered DNA-binding proteins called TALEs, which are shortened and modified to precisely target and edit specific DNA sequences in cells, potentially for gene therapy. Granted to Sangamo Therapeutics in 2023 with 13 claims and 1 forward citation, and it is expected to expire in 2039.
Coverage
What does this patent actually cover?
This patent describes new, engineered DNA-binding proteins called Transcription Activator-Like Effectors (TALEs). These TALE proteins are designed to be "non-naturally occurring" (ClaimclaimA numbered sentence at the end of a patent that legally defines what the inventor owns. The most important section.Read more → 1), meaning they are not found in nature but are custom-built. The key is that they are significantly shortened: the "N-terminal region lacks at least 152 amino acids" and the "C-terminal region is truncated to residue C+63" (Claim 1). These shortened TALE proteins still contain "two or more TALE-repeat units" with specific "repeat variable di-residues (RVDs)" (Claim 1), which are like recognition codes for specific DNA letters. Some of these RVDs can even be "atypical" (Claim 2), allowing for new DNA targeting possibilities. These engineered proteins can also be combined with "functional domains" (Claim 6), such as a "nuclease domain" (Claim 8) to cut DNA, or a "transcriptional activator" (Claim 7) to turn genes on. For example, a cell could be given a polynucleotide (DNA instruction) (Claim 10) that tells it to make one of these custom TALE proteins, which then finds a specific gene, cuts it, and allows for gene editing.
The gap
What does this patent NOT cover?
- Naturally occurring TALE proteins that have not been engineered with specific N-terminal truncations of at least 152 amino acids and C-terminal truncations to C+63.
- Gene editing systems that do not use TALE DNA-binding domains, such as CRISPR-Cas systems or zinc finger nucleases.
- TALE proteins that do not contain at least two TALE-repeat units with RVDs.
- Polypeptides that do not bind to DNA.
- Pharmaceutical compositions that do not contain either the isolated polynucleotide or the isolated cell described in the claimsclaimsThe numbered statements at the end of a patent that legally define what the inventor owns.Read more →.
These exclusions are unique to PatentBrief — derived from the actual claim language, not patent-office boilerplate.
Key facts
What made this novel
The noveltynoveltyThe requirement that an invention be different from anything publicly known before its priority date.Read more → lies in creating significantly shortened TALE proteins by specific truncations of their N-terminal and C-terminal regions, while still maintaining their ability to bind DNA and potentially incorporating "atypical" RVDs. This engineering allows for more compact and potentially more efficient gene-editing tools.
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
Gene therapies for genetic disorders
Research tools for studying gene function
Development of disease models in cells
Engineered cell lines for drug screening
Why it matters
The bigger picture
Gene editing technologies like those involving TALE proteins offer ways to precisely modify DNA, which could lead to new treatments for genetic diseases. By being able to turn genes on or off, or even correct faulty DNA sequences, these tools are foundational for developing advanced therapies. This technology is a key part of the broader field of genetic engineering, impacting drug discovery and personalized medicine.
Filed
February 12, 2019
Granted
May 30, 2023
Market context
Who's building on this
Companies in this space
Sangamo Therapeutics Inc., the assigneeassigneeThe entity that owns the patent — usually the inventor's employer or a company.Read more →, is a key player in gene editing and gene therapy, particularly with zinc finger nucleases and TALE-based technologies. Other companies in the gene editing space, such as Editas Medicine, Intellia Therapeutics, and CRISPR Therapeutics, are also developing similar or complementary technologies, though primarily focused on CRISPR. Academic research institutions worldwide are also actively developing and refining TALE-based tools.
Market impact
This patent contributes to the intellectual property landscape of gene editing, particularly for TALE-based systems. While CRISPR has gained significant attention, TALE technology remains a viable and distinct approach for targeted gene modification. Patents like this help define the scope of what can be developed and commercialized in gene therapy, potentially enabling new drug candidates or research tools for genetic diseases.
Claim 1 — Plain English
What this patent covers
This patent describes new, engineered DNA-binding proteins called Transcription Activator-Like Effectors (TALEs). These TALE proteins are designed to be "non-naturally occurring" (Claim 1), meaning they are not found in nature but are custom-built. The key is that they are significantly shortened: the "N-terminal region lacks at least 152 amino acids" and the "C-terminal region is truncated to residue C+63" (Claim 1). These shortened TALE proteins still contain "two or more TALE-repeat units" with specific "repeat variable di-residues (RVDs)" (Claim 1), which are like recognition codes for specific DNA letters. Some of these RVDs can even be "atypical" (Claim 2), allowing for new DNA targeting possibilities. These engineered proteins can also be combined with "functional domains" (Claim 6), such as a "nuclease domain" (Claim 8) to cut DNA, or a "transcriptional activator" (Claim 7) to turn genes on. For example, a cell could be given a polynucleotide (DNA instruction) (Claim 10) that tells it to make one of these custom TALE proteins, which then finds a specific gene, cuts it, and allows for gene editing.
The clever bit
The novelty lies in creating significantly shortened TALE proteins by specific truncations of their N-terminal and C-terminal regions, while still maintaining their ability to bind DNA and potentially incorporating "atypical" RVDs. This engineering allows for more compact and potentially more efficient gene-editing tools.
What it does not cover
- Naturally occurring TALE proteins that have not been engineered with specific N-terminal truncations of at least 152 amino acids and C-terminal truncations to C+63.
- Gene editing systems that do not use TALE DNA-binding domains, such as CRISPR-Cas systems or zinc finger nucleases.
- TALE proteins that do not contain at least two TALE-repeat units with RVDs.
- Polypeptides that do not bind to DNA.
- Pharmaceutical compositions that do not contain either the isolated polynucleotide or the isolated cell described in the claims.
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
Early stage
Citation count
6/40
Early citations
Claim breadth
9/20
Moderate scope
Recency
20/20
Granted within 5 years
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
$135K – $432K
Midpoint $270K · 12.4 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
13 claims as filed with the patent office.
Concepts involved
Citations
Patent lineage
Cite this patent
Tan, S., Paschon, D., Gregory, P. D., Rebar, E. J., Miller, J. C., Zhang, L., & Urnov, F. (2023). How Engineered TALE Proteins Can Edit Genes (U.S. Patent No. 11,661,612). U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/11661612/dna-binding-proteins-and-uses-thereof
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 Engineered TALE Proteins Can Edit Genes cover?
This patent describes engineered DNA-binding proteins called TALEs, which are shortened and modified to precisely target and edit specific DNA sequences in cells, potentially for gene therapy.
Who owns patent US 11661612?
Sangamo Therapeutics owns this patent, granted in 2023.
When does this patent expire?
This patent is expected to expire on February 12, 2039, when the invention enters the public domain.
What is patent US 11661612 cited by?
This patent has been cited by 1 later patents that build on its ideas.
What problem does this patent solve?
Gene editing technologies like those involving TALE proteins offer ways to precisely modify DNA, which could lead to new treatments for genetic diseases. By being able to turn genes on or off, or even correct faulty DNA sequences, these tools are foundational for developing advanced therapies. This technology is a key part of the broader field of genetic engineering, impacting drug discovery and personalized medicine.
What does this patent NOT cover?
Naturally occurring TALE proteins that have not been engineered with specific N-terminal truncations of at least 152 amino acids and C-terminal truncations to C+63.
Patent monitoring