# Making Cancer-Fighting Antibody Drugs Safer with Precise Attachment > This patent describes a specific way to build antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) for cancer treatment by precisely attaching chemotherapy drugs to antibodies to make them safer inside the body. - **Patent:** US 12121527 - **Original title:** Anthracycline-based antibody drug conjugates having high in vivo tolerability - **Owner:** NBE Therapeutics AG - **Granted:** 2024 - **Status:** Active - **Times cited:** 0 - **Field:** biotech, pharmaceutical, drug_delivery ## What it does The patent describes an antibody drug conjugate (ADC) designed to deliver chemotherapy more safely. It combines an antibody (or a fragment of one) with an anthracycline-based small molecule, which is a type of chemotherapy drug (Claim 1). The key is how they are linked: the small molecule is *exclusively* attached to the C-terminus of the antibody's light chain constant region (Claim 1). This attachment uses a linker that includes a peptidic sequence, often formed after a sortase enzyme cleaves a recognition motif (Claim 3, 9). For example, the patent specifies that two anthracycline molecules are linked, one to each light chain C-terminus (Claim 1), ensuring a precise drug-to-antibody ratio. This design aims for improved tolerability in the body, particularly for treating neoplastic diseases like breast cancer (Claim 10, 11). ## What it does NOT cover - ADCs where the drug is attached to parts of the antibody other than the light chain constant region C-terminus (Claim 1). - ADCs that use chemotherapy drugs *not* based on anthracycline (Claim 1, "anthracycline-based small molecule"). - ADCs where the drug is linked via a method that does not involve a sortase enzyme or a peptidic sequence linker (Claim 1, 3, 9). - ADCs with a drug-to-antibody ratio different from 1 or 2, specifically if there are more than two anthracycline-based small molecules per antibody (Claim 1, "two light chain constant region C-termini and two anthracycline-based small molecules"). - ADCs where the linker does not comprise a peptidic sequence (Claim 1). ## The clever bit The novelty lies in the highly specific and controlled attachment of the anthracycline-based chemotherapy drug. By exclusively linking the drug to the light chain constant region C-terminus using a sortase-mediated conjugation, the patent ensures a precise drug-to-antibody ratio (specifically two drugs per antibody) and a stable connection, which is crucial for improving the drug's safety and effectiveness in the body. ## Real-world examples 1. NBE Therapeutics' own ADC candidates 2. Targeted cancer therapies for solid tumors 3. Next-generation antibody-drug conjugates ## Why it matters Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) are a major advancement in cancer treatment, acting like "guided missiles" to deliver potent chemotherapy directly to cancer cells while sparing healthy tissue. However, ensuring these drugs are stable and well-tolerated in the body is critical. This patent addresses the tolerability challenge by defining a precise and controlled way to attach the chemotherapy drug, potentially leading to fewer side effects for patients. ## Frequently asked questions ### What does Making Cancer-Fighting Antibody Drugs Safer with Precise Attachment cover? This patent describes a specific way to build antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) for cancer treatment by precisely attaching chemotherapy drugs to antibodies to make them safer inside the body. ### Who owns patent US 12121527? NBE Therapeutics AG owns this patent, granted in 2024. ### When does this patent expire? This patent is expected to expire on July 10, 2040, when the invention enters the public domain. ### What problem does this patent solve? Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) are a major advancement in cancer treatment, acting like "guided missiles" to deliver potent chemotherapy directly to cancer cells while sparing healthy tissue. However, ensuring these drugs are stable and well-tolerated in the body is critical. This patent addresses the tolerability challenge by defining a precise and controlled way to attach the chemotherapy drug, potentially leading to fewer side effects for patients. ### What does this patent NOT cover? ADCs where the drug is attached to parts of the antibody other than the light chain constant region C-terminus (Claim 1). **Full plain-English explainer:** https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/12121527/anthracycline-based-antibody-drug-conjugates-having-high-in-vivo-tolerability **Original patent:** https://patents.google.com/patent/US12121527 --- _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 to Build Smaller, Synthetic Antibody-Like Molecules for Medicine](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/5455030/immunotheraphy-using-single-chain-polypeptide-binding-molecules) — This patent describes a way to create small, single-chain proteins that mimic the binding power of full-sized antibodies to deliver medicine more effectively. - [Targeted Platinum Drugs for Cancer Treatment](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/9884123/ligand-targeted-molecules-and-methods-thereof) — This patent describes a way to deliver platinum-based cancer drugs directly to tumor cells by attaching them to a special 'ligand' molecule that seeks out cancer cell markers. - [How Genentech's Antibody Targets Cancerous B Cells](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/9845355/tecentriq-atezolizumab) — This patent describes a specific humanized antibody designed to bind to a protein called CD79b, which is found on the surface of certain cancer cells. - [How Specific Antibody Drugs Are Stabilized for Storage and Use](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/8372396/tysabri-natalizumab) — Genentech's 2013 patent details a precise recipe for an antibody drug, like Pertuzumab, using a special buffer, sugar, and cleaning agent to keep it stable for patients. - [How Scientists Create Human-Friendly Antibodies for Medicine](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/5585089/remicade-infliximab) — This patent describes a method for modifying mouse antibodies so human immune systems accept them as their own, allowing them to be used as powerful, long-lasting medical treatments.