CRISPR Gene Editing That Turns Itself Off
This patent describes a CRISPR gene editing system that turns itself off after making a specific genetic change, using a second guide RNA to inactivate the editing enzyme.
Original patent title: “Method for genome editing using a self-inactivating CRISPR nuclease”
This patent describes a CRISPR gene editing system that turns itself off after making a specific genetic change, using a second guide RNA to inactivate the editing enzyme. Granted to Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology of CAS in 2023 with 10 claims, and it is expected to expire in 2039.
Coverage
What does this patent actually cover?
This patent describes a genome editing system that precisely modifies a target gene and then deactivates itself. It uses three main parts: a first 'guide RNA' (gRNA) that directs a CRISPR nuclease to the specific gene needing modification, the CRISPR nuclease itself which performs the editing, and a second gRNA. This second gRNA is designed to target a sequence within the CRISPR nuclease's own genetic code. Once introduced into a cell, the nuclease first makes the desired changes to the target gene. Then, the second gRNA guides the nuclease to its own coding sequence, causing an 'inactivating mutation' that effectively breaks the nuclease, preventing it from making further, potentially unwanted, edits. For example, a scientist could use this system to correct a single faulty base in a gene, and then the editing tool would self-destruct.
The gap
What does this patent NOT cover?
- Does not cover CRISPR systems that remain active indefinitely after making their intended genetic changes.
- Does not cover gene editing systems that lack the specific 'second gRNA' designed to target and inactivate the CRISPR nuclease itself.
- Does not cover systems where the inactivating mutation is not within the coding sequence of the CRISPR nuclease, as specified in claimclaimA numbered sentence at the end of a patent that legally defines what the inventor owns. The most important section.Read more → 1.
- Does not cover CRISPR nucleases that are not 'single-base editing' nucleases, as specified in claimclaimA numbered sentence at the end of a patent that legally defines what the inventor owns. The most important section.Read more → 1.
- Does not cover systems that do not use three separate expression constructs for the gRNAs and the CRISPR nuclease.
These exclusions are unique to PatentBrief — derived from the actual claim language, not patent-office boilerplate.
Key facts
What made this novel
The clever part is using the CRISPR system's own mechanism to trigger its self-destruction. By designing a second guide RNA that targets the CRISPR nuclease's own genetic instructions, the system ensures that the editing tool is inactivated after it has completed its primary task, preventing prolonged activity.
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 therapy research for inherited diseases
Developing disease-resistant crops
Basic biological research in cell lines
Precision medicine applications
Why it matters
The bigger picture
CRISPR gene editing can sometimes make unintended changes (called off-target edits) or stay active for too long, which can be risky for therapies. This self-inactivating system helps solve these problems by ensuring the CRISPR tool only works for a short, controlled time. This increased precision and safety is crucial for developing gene therapies for human diseases and for making accurate genetic changes in agriculture.
Filed
January 31, 2019
Granted
August 29, 2023
Market context
Who's building on this
Companies in this space
Companies like CRISPR Therapeutics, Editas Medicine, Intellia Therapeutics, Beam Therapeutics, and Verve Therapeutics are actively developing and refining CRISPR-based gene therapies. Many academic institutions and agricultural biotech companies are also working on improving CRISPR specificity and delivery, often incorporating mechanisms to control nuclease activity. The original assigneeassigneeThe entity that owns the patent — usually the inventor's employer or a company.Read more →, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology of CAS, continues to be a key player in gene editing research.
Market impact
This patent addresses a critical challenge in the gene editing market: the need for higher specificity and reduced off-target effects. By providing a method for self-inactivating CRISPR nucleases, it enables the development of safer and more precise gene editing tools. This innovation helps to unlock broader applications for CRISPR in human therapeutics and agriculture, potentially accelerating the approval and adoption of gene-edited products by mitigating safety concerns.
Claim 1 — Plain English
What this patent covers
This patent describes a genome editing system that precisely modifies a target gene and then deactivates itself. It uses three main parts: a first 'guide RNA' (gRNA) that directs a CRISPR nuclease to the specific gene needing modification, the CRISPR nuclease itself which performs the editing, and a second gRNA. This second gRNA is designed to target a sequence within the CRISPR nuclease's own genetic code. Once introduced into a cell, the nuclease first makes the desired changes to the target gene. Then, the second gRNA guides the nuclease to its own coding sequence, causing an 'inactivating mutation' that effectively breaks the nuclease, preventing it from making further, potentially unwanted, edits. For example, a scientist could use this system to correct a single faulty base in a gene, and then the editing tool would self-destruct.
The clever bit
The clever part is using the CRISPR system's own mechanism to trigger its self-destruction. By designing a second guide RNA that targets the CRISPR nuclease's own genetic instructions, the system ensures that the editing tool is inactivated after it has completed its primary task, preventing prolonged activity.
What it does not cover
- Does not cover CRISPR systems that remain active indefinitely after making their intended genetic changes.
- Does not cover gene editing systems that lack the specific 'second gRNA' designed to target and inactivate the CRISPR nuclease itself.
- Does not cover systems where the inactivating mutation is not within the coding sequence of the CRISPR nuclease, as specified in claim 1.
- Does not cover CRISPR nucleases that are not 'single-base editing' nucleases, as specified in claim 1.
- Does not cover systems that do not use three separate expression constructs for the gRNAs and the CRISPR nuclease.
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
0/40
No citations yet
Claim breadth
7/20
Moderate scope
Recency
20/20
Granted within 5 years
Assignee scale
20/20
Major company or institution
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
$54K – $173K
Midpoint $108K · 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
10 claims as filed with the patent office.
Concepts involved
Citations
Patent lineage
Cite this patent
ZHANG, H., GAO, C., & JIN, S. (2023). CRISPR Gene Editing That Turns Itself Off (U.S. Patent No. 11,739,322). U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/11739322/method-for-genome-editing-using-a-self-inactivating-crispr-nuclease
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 CRISPR Gene Editing That Turns Itself Off cover?
This patent describes a CRISPR gene editing system that turns itself off after making a specific genetic change, using a second guide RNA to inactivate the editing enzyme.
Who owns patent US 11739322?
Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology of CAS owns this patent, granted in 2023.
When does this patent expire?
This patent is expected to expire on January 31, 2039, when the invention enters the public domain.
What problem does this patent solve?
CRISPR gene editing can sometimes make unintended changes (called off-target edits) or stay active for too long, which can be risky for therapies. This self-inactivating system helps solve these problems by ensuring the CRISPR tool only works for a short, controlled time. This increased precision and safety is crucial for developing gene therapies for human diseases and for making accurate genetic changes in agriculture.
What does this patent NOT cover?
Does not cover CRISPR systems that remain active indefinitely after making their intended genetic changes.
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