Making RNA for Vaccines More Consistent
CureVac's 2023 patent on a method to create multiple RNA strands with similar numbers of A and U nucleotides, making them easier to purify and use in vaccines.
Original patent title: “RNA sequence adaptation”
CureVac's 2023 patent on a method to create multiple RNA strands with similar numbers of A and U nucleotides, making them easier to purify and use in vaccines. Granted to Curevac SE in 2023 with 23 claims and 4 forward citations, and it is expected to expire in 2038.
Coverage
What does this patent actually cover?
This patent describes a way to prepare RNA strands for things like vaccines. First, you get the instructions (coding sequences) for at least two different RNA molecules, each between 800 and 20,000 units long. The key step is altering the original RNA sequences so that the new versions have a similar count of 'A' and 'U' building blocks, differing by no more than 50 from each other. Then, these 'harmonized' RNA molecules are made. Finally, a mixture of these harmonized RNA molecules is analyzed or purified using a chromatography technique, like High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). For example, this could be used to make multiple mRNA strands that each code for a different part of a virus, like influenza antigens, ensuring they are consistent for purification.
The gap
What does this patent NOT cover?
- Methods that do not involve adapting the number of A and/or U nucleotides in the RNA sequence.
- Methods where the RNA species are not between 800 and 20,000 nucleotides long.
- Methods where the harmonized RNA species have more than 50 difference in their A and U nucleotide counts.
- Purification or analysis methods that do not use chromatography.
- RNA sequences that are not intended for use in vaccines or therapeutic treatments.
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 'harmonizing' the A and U nucleotide counts across different RNA species. This seemingly small change in nucleotide composition significantly impacts how the RNA molecules behave during purification, making the process more efficient and reliable.
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
mRNA vaccine production
Therapeutic RNA manufacturing
Purification of multiple mRNA constructs
Why it matters
The bigger picture
This patent is relevant to the production of mRNA vaccines and therapies. Ensuring consistency in the RNA molecules, particularly in their nucleotide composition, is crucial for efficient manufacturing and predictable performance of these advanced medical products.
Filed
November 8, 2018
Granted
July 4, 2023
Market context
Who's building on this
Companies in this space
CureVac SE, the assigneeassigneeThe entity that owns the patent — usually the inventor's employer or a company.Read more →, is a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing mRNA-based vaccines and therapeutics. Other companies involved in mRNA technology, such as Moderna and BioNTech, likely employ similar purification and consistency-enhancing strategies in their manufacturing processes.
Market impact
This patent contributes to the standardization and efficiency of mRNA manufacturing. By addressing challenges in RNA purification and consistency, it supports the scalable production of mRNA-based products, which has become a critical area in modern medicine, especially following the rapid development of COVID-19 vaccines.
Claim 1 — Plain English
What this patent covers
This patent describes a way to prepare RNA strands for things like vaccines. First, you get the instructions (coding sequences) for at least two different RNA molecules, each between 800 and 20,000 units long. The key step is altering the original RNA sequences so that the new versions have a similar count of 'A' and 'U' building blocks, differing by no more than 50 from each other. Then, these 'harmonized' RNA molecules are made. Finally, a mixture of these harmonized RNA molecules is analyzed or purified using a chromatography technique, like High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). For example, this could be used to make multiple mRNA strands that each code for a different part of a virus, like influenza antigens, ensuring they are consistent for purification.
The clever bit
The innovation lies in 'harmonizing' the A and U nucleotide counts across different RNA species. This seemingly small change in nucleotide composition significantly impacts how the RNA molecules behave during purification, making the process more efficient and reliable.
What it does not cover
- Methods that do not involve adapting the number of A and/or U nucleotides in the RNA sequence.
- Methods where the RNA species are not between 800 and 20,000 nucleotides long.
- Methods where the harmonized RNA species have more than 50 difference in their A and U nucleotide counts.
- Purification or analysis methods that do not use chromatography.
- RNA sequences that are not intended for use in vaccines or therapeutic treatments.
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
Moderate
Citation count
14/40
Early citations
Claim breadth
15/20
Broad claimsclaimsThe numbered statements at the end of a patent that legally define what the inventor owns.Read more →
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
$176K – $562K
Midpoint $351K · 12.0 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
23 claims as filed with the patent office.
Concepts involved
Citations
Patent lineage
Cite this patent
VAHRENHORST, D., Roos, T., CONZELMANN, M., & Heinz, S. (2023). Making RNA for Vaccines More Consistent (U.S. Patent No. 11,692,002). U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/11692002/rna-sequence-adaptation
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 Making RNA for Vaccines More Consistent cover?
CureVac's 2023 patent on a method to create multiple RNA strands with similar numbers of A and U nucleotides, making them easier to purify and use in vaccines.
Who owns patent US 11692002?
Curevac SE owns this patent, granted in 2023.
When does this patent expire?
This patent is expected to expire on November 8, 2038, when the invention enters the public domain.
What is patent US 11692002 cited by?
This patent has been cited by 4 later patents that build on its ideas.
What problem does this patent solve?
This patent is relevant to the production of mRNA vaccines and therapies. Ensuring consistency in the RNA molecules, particularly in their nucleotide composition, is crucial for efficient manufacturing and predictable performance of these advanced medical products.
What does this patent NOT cover?
Methods that do not involve adapting the number of A and/or U nucleotides in the RNA sequence.
Same assignee
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