Delivering Large Gene Editing Tools into Cells with Hybrid Virus-Lipid Packages
This patent describes a sophisticated delivery system that combines parts of a virus with a fat bubble (liposome) to efficiently transport large molecules, like CRISPR gene-editing components, into specific cells.
Original patent title: “Delivery of large payloads”
This patent describes a sophisticated delivery system that combines parts of a virus with a fat bubble (liposome) to efficiently transport large molecules, like CRISPR gene-editing components, into specific cells. Granted to Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 2025 with 36 claims, and it is expected to expire in 2038.
Coverage
What does this patent actually cover?
This patent describes a "particle delivery system" (ClaimclaimA numbered sentence at the end of a patent that legally defines what the inventor owns. The most important section.Read more → 1) designed to get large molecules into cells. It uses a "composite virus particle" which is a tiny structure made of a specific lipid, a piece of a virus's outer shell (a "virus capsid protein"), and another large protein or peptide that isn't part of the virus shell (a "non-capsid protein or peptide"). This composite particle is then attached to a "liposome" (a small fat bubble) that has a "targeting moiety" — a special tag that helps it find and attach to specific cells (Claim 1). The system can carry a "CRISPR system component" (Claim 3) or other large proteins up to a megadalton in size (Claim 9). For example, this system could be used to deliver the Cas9 protein, a key part of CRISPR gene editing, into a specific type of cell in the body, like a liver cell, by using a targeting moiety that recognizes that cell type.
The gap
What does this patent NOT cover?
- Does not cover delivery systems that use only a virus or only a liposome, as it requires a "composite virus particle" adsorbed to a "liposome" (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 using lipids outside the specific list provided in ClaimclaimA numbered sentence at the end of a patent that legally defines what the inventor owns. The most important section.Read more → 1 (e.g., EC16-63, 80-O14B, etc.).
- Does not cover liposomes without a "targeting moiety," which is a specific component for guiding the delivery (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 delivery of very small molecules or payloads that are not proteins or peptides, as the "non-capsid protein or peptide" is described as having a molecular weight up to a megadalton and specifically mentions CRISPR proteins (ClaimclaimA numbered sentence at the end of a patent that legally defines what the inventor owns. The most important section.Read more → 9).
- Does not cover attachment methods between the composite virus particle and the liposome that are not hydrophobic or electrostatic interactions (ClaimclaimA numbered sentence at the end of a patent that legally defines what the inventor owns. The most important section.Read more → 2).
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 combining the best features of viral delivery and lipid nanoparticle delivery into one system. It uses a "composite virus particle" that is then attached to a "liposome" with a "targeting moiety," creating a highly specific and efficient way to get large, sensitive payloads like CRISPR components into cells while potentially reducing unwanted immune responses.
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
Experimental gene therapies using CRISPR-Cas9
Advanced drug delivery systems for biologics
Targeted delivery of mRNA vaccines or therapeutics
Why it matters
The bigger picture
This technology is crucial for advancing gene therapy and genetic medicine. Efficient and safe delivery of large therapeutic molecules, especially gene-editing tools like CRISPR, into target cells remains a major challenge. By combining the cell-entry efficiency of viruses with the targeting and safety benefits of liposomes, this patent offers a pathway to overcome some of these limitations, potentially enabling new treatments for genetic diseases.
Filed
April 16, 2018
Granted
July 8, 2025
Market context
Who's building on this
Companies in this space
Massachusetts Institute of Technology, through its researchers like Feng Zhang, continues to be a leader in gene editing and delivery technologies. Companies like Intellia Therapeutics, Editas Medicine, and CRISPR Therapeutics, which are focused on developing CRISPR-based therapies, are actively researching and developing advanced delivery methods that build upon similar principles to overcome current limitations in gene therapy.
Market impact
This type of delivery technology is essential for the maturation of the gene therapy market. It addresses a critical bottleneck: getting large genetic payloads safely and effectively into specific cells in the body. By enabling more precise and efficient delivery, it helps unlock the potential of complex gene-editing tools like CRISPR, paving the way for new therapeutic products and expanding the treatable range of genetic diseases. This innovation contributes to the broader shift towards targeted, personalized medicine.
Claim 1 — Plain English
What this patent covers
This patent describes a "particle delivery system" (Claim 1) designed to get large molecules into cells. It uses a "composite virus particle" which is a tiny structure made of a specific lipid, a piece of a virus's outer shell (a "virus capsid protein"), and another large protein or peptide that isn't part of the virus shell (a "non-capsid protein or peptide"). This composite particle is then attached to a "liposome" (a small fat bubble) that has a "targeting moiety" — a special tag that helps it find and attach to specific cells (Claim 1). The system can carry a "CRISPR system component" (Claim 3) or other large proteins up to a megadalton in size (Claim 9). For example, this system could be used to deliver the Cas9 protein, a key part of CRISPR gene editing, into a specific type of cell in the body, like a liver cell, by using a targeting moiety that recognizes that cell type.
The clever bit
The clever part is combining the best features of viral delivery and lipid nanoparticle delivery into one system. It uses a "composite virus particle" that is then attached to a "liposome" with a "targeting moiety," creating a highly specific and efficient way to get large, sensitive payloads like CRISPR components into cells while potentially reducing unwanted immune responses.
What it does not cover
- Does not cover delivery systems that use only a virus or only a liposome, as it requires a "composite virus particle" adsorbed to a "liposome" (Claim 1).
- Does not cover systems using lipids outside the specific list provided in Claim 1 (e.g., EC16-63, 80-O14B, etc.).
- Does not cover liposomes without a "targeting moiety," which is a specific component for guiding the delivery (Claim 1).
- Does not cover delivery of very small molecules or payloads that are not proteins or peptides, as the "non-capsid protein or peptide" is described as having a molecular weight up to a megadalton and specifically mentions CRISPR proteins (Claim 9).
- Does not cover attachment methods between the composite virus particle and the liposome that are not hydrophobic or electrostatic interactions (Claim 2).
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
Strong
Citation count
0/40
No citations yet
Claim breadth
20/20
Very broad protection
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
$90K – $288K
Midpoint $180K · 11.8 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
36 claims as filed with the patent office.
Concepts involved
Citations
Patent lineage
Cite this patent
Xu, Q., Zhang, F., & CHOUDHURY, S. (2025). Delivering Large Gene Editing Tools into Cells with Hybrid Virus-Lipid Packages (U.S. Patent No. 12,350,368). U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/12350368/delivery-of-large-payloads
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 Delivering Large Gene Editing Tools into Cells with Hybrid Virus-Lipid Packages cover?
This patent describes a sophisticated delivery system that combines parts of a virus with a fat bubble (liposome) to efficiently transport large molecules, like CRISPR gene-editing components, into specific cells.
Who owns patent US 12350368?
Massachusetts Institute of Technology owns this patent, granted in 2025.
When does this patent expire?
This patent is expected to expire on April 16, 2038, when the invention enters the public domain.
What problem does this patent solve?
This technology is crucial for advancing gene therapy and genetic medicine. Efficient and safe delivery of large therapeutic molecules, especially gene-editing tools like CRISPR, into target cells remains a major challenge. By combining the cell-entry efficiency of viruses with the targeting and safety benefits of liposomes, this patent offers a pathway to overcome some of these limitations, potentially enabling new treatments for genetic diseases.
What does this patent NOT cover?
Does not cover delivery systems that use only a virus or only a liposome, as it requires a "composite virus particle" adsorbed to a "liposome" (Claim 1).
Same assignee
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