# 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. - **Patent:** US 11692002 - **Original title:** RNA sequence adaptation - **Owner:** Curevac SE - **Granted:** 2023 - **Status:** Active - **Times cited:** 4 - **Field:** biotech, pharmaceutical, semiconductors ## What it does 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. ## 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. ## 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. ## Real-world examples 1. mRNA vaccine production 2. Therapeutic RNA manufacturing 3. Purification of multiple mRNA constructs ## Why it matters 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. ## 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. **Full plain-English explainer:** https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/11692002/rna-sequence-adaptation **Original patent:** https://patents.google.com/patent/US11692002 --- _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 Teaches Your Body to Fight Rabies](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/12083190/rabies-vaccine) — This patent describes a method for creating an immune response against the rabies virus by injecting a specific messenger RNA molecule that instructs cells to produce a key rabies protein. - [How a Specific mRNA Vaccine for COVID-19 is Designed](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/20230136960/novel-mrna-based-covid-19-multi-valent-vaccine-and-methods-of-scaled-production-) — This patent describes specific messenger RNA (mRNA) sequences designed to teach the body to fight the COVID-19 virus by producing parts of the virus, like its spike protein, to trigger an immune response. - [How Moderna's mRNA Vaccine Technology Targets Betacoronaviruses](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/10702600/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. - [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.