How an mRNA Vaccine Teaches Your Body to Fight Rabies
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.
Original patent title: “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. Granted to Curevac SE in 2024 with 20 claims, and it is expected to expire in 2042.
Coverage
What does this patent actually cover?
This patent details a method to stimulate a protective immune response against the rabies virus. It involves administering a pharmaceutical composition containing a purified mRNA molecule (ClaimclaimA numbered sentence at the end of a patent that legally defines what the inventor owns. The most important section.Read more → 1). This mRNA molecule is engineered with specific parts: a 5′ Cap, an Open Reading Frame (ORF) that codes for the Rabies virus glycoprotein (RAV-G), and a Poly(A) sequence. The ORF is very similar (at least 95% identical) to a specific genetic sequence (SEQ ID NO: 24) for the RAV-G protein. The composition is delivered by injection, typically into a muscle or just under the skin (Claim 2, 3). For example, a person would receive an intramuscular shot containing this specially designed mRNA, and their cells would then temporarily produce the RAV-G protein, triggering an immune response without causing disease.
The gap
What does this patent NOT cover?
- Does not cover rabies vaccines that use inactivated virus or live-attenuated virus, as it specifically claimsclaimsThe numbered statements at the end of a patent that legally define what the inventor owns.Read more → a purified mRNA molecule.
- Does not cover mRNA vaccines for rabies that do not encode the Rabies virus glycoprotein (RAV-G) or a sequence at least 95% identical to SEQ ID NO: 24.
- Does not cover methods of administration other than injection, such as oral vaccines or nasal sprays.
- Does not cover mRNA compositions that lack a 5' Cap or a Poly(A) sequence, which are essential elements of the claimed mRNA molecule.
- Does not cover mRNA vaccines for rabies that are not formulated with a cationic or polycationic compound if administered intramuscularly (ClaimclaimA numbered sentence at the end of a patent that legally defines what the inventor owns. The most important section.Read more → 15).
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 the specific design of the mRNA molecule to efficiently produce the rabies glycoprotein (RAV-G) in human cells, including elements like a specific 5' Cap, a Poly(A) sequence, and potentially an increased G/C content in the ORF for better protein production, all within a lipid formulation for effective delivery.
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
CureVac's investigational mRNA rabies vaccine candidates
Other mRNA vaccine platforms targeting viral glycoproteins
Future mRNA vaccines for infectious diseases
Why it matters
The bigger picture
Rabies is a deadly viral disease, and effective vaccines are crucial for both prevention and post-exposure treatment. This patent contributes to the development of mRNA-based vaccines, a technology that gained significant attention and validation with COVID-19 vaccines. mRNA vaccines offer advantages like rapid development and manufacturing scalability compared to traditional vaccine approaches. CureVac SE, the assigneeassigneeThe entity that owns the patent — usually the inventor's employer or a company.Read more →, is a key player in advancing mRNA technology for various diseases.
Filed
May 17, 2022
Granted
September 10, 2024
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 drugs and vaccines. They are actively pursuing a pipeline of mRNA vaccine candidates for various infectious diseases, including rabies, and are a significant player alongside companies like Moderna and BioNTech in the broader mRNA technology space.
Market impact
The development of mRNA vaccines for rabies could significantly impact the global rabies prevention and control market by offering a potentially faster-to-produce and more adaptable vaccine platform. While traditional rabies vaccines are effective, mRNA technology could streamline manufacturing and distribution, especially in regions with high disease burden. This patent helps solidify CureVac's intellectual property in the mRNA vaccine landscape, potentially influencing future collaborations and market competition in vaccine development.
Claim 1 — Plain English
What this patent covers
This patent details a method to stimulate a protective immune response against the rabies virus. It involves administering a pharmaceutical composition containing a purified mRNA molecule (Claim 1). This mRNA molecule is engineered with specific parts: a 5′ Cap, an Open Reading Frame (ORF) that codes for the Rabies virus glycoprotein (RAV-G), and a Poly(A) sequence. The ORF is very similar (at least 95% identical) to a specific genetic sequence (SEQ ID NO: 24) for the RAV-G protein. The composition is delivered by injection, typically into a muscle or just under the skin (Claim 2, 3). For example, a person would receive an intramuscular shot containing this specially designed mRNA, and their cells would then temporarily produce the RAV-G protein, triggering an immune response without causing disease.
The clever bit
The novelty lies in the specific design of the mRNA molecule to efficiently produce the rabies glycoprotein (RAV-G) in human cells, including elements like a specific 5' Cap, a Poly(A) sequence, and potentially an increased G/C content in the ORF for better protein production, all within a lipid formulation for effective delivery.
What it does not cover
- Does not cover rabies vaccines that use inactivated virus or live-attenuated virus, as it specifically claims a purified mRNA molecule.
- Does not cover mRNA vaccines for rabies that do not encode the Rabies virus glycoprotein (RAV-G) or a sequence at least 95% identical to SEQ ID NO: 24.
- Does not cover methods of administration other than injection, such as oral vaccines or nasal sprays.
- Does not cover mRNA compositions that lack a 5' Cap or a Poly(A) sequence, which are essential elements of the claimed mRNA molecule.
- Does not cover mRNA vaccines for rabies that are not formulated with a cationic or polycationic compound if administered intramuscularly (Claim 15).
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
0/40
No citations yet
Claim breadth
13/20
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
$88K – $281K
Midpoint $176K · 15.7 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
20 claims as filed with the patent office.
Concepts involved
Citations
Patent lineage
Cite this patent
Schnee, M., Kramps, T., Petsch, B., & Stitz, L. (2024). How an mRNA Vaccine Teaches Your Body to Fight Rabies (U.S. Patent No. 12,083,190). U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/12083190/rabies-vaccine
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 an mRNA Vaccine Teaches Your Body to Fight Rabies cover?
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.
Who owns patent US 12083190?
Curevac SE owns this patent, granted in 2024.
When does this patent expire?
This patent is expected to expire on May 17, 2042, when the invention enters the public domain.
What problem does this patent solve?
Rabies is a deadly viral disease, and effective vaccines are crucial for both prevention and post-exposure treatment. This patent contributes to the development of mRNA-based vaccines, a technology that gained significant attention and validation with COVID-19 vaccines. mRNA vaccines offer advantages like rapid development and manufacturing scalability compared to traditional vaccine approaches. CureVac SE, the assignee, is a key player in advancing mRNA technology for various diseases.
What does this patent NOT cover?
Does not cover rabies vaccines that use inactivated virus or live-attenuated virus, as it specifically claims a purified mRNA molecule.
Same assignee
More from Curevac SE
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