# 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. - **Patent:** US 12350368 - **Original title:** Delivery of large payloads - **Owner:** Massachusetts Institute of Technology - **Granted:** 2025 - **Status:** Active - **Times cited:** 0 - **Field:** biotech, gene_editing, pharmaceutical, materials ## What it does 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. ## 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). ## 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. ## Real-world examples 1. Experimental gene therapies using CRISPR-Cas9 2. Advanced drug delivery systems for biologics 3. Targeted delivery of mRNA vaccines or therapeutics ## Why it matters 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. ## 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). **Full plain-English explainer:** https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/12350368/delivery-of-large-payloads **Original patent:** https://patents.google.com/patent/US12350368 --- _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 Edit Genes in Human Cells Using an Engineered CRISPR System](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/8697359/crispr-gene-editing) — This patent describes an engineered CRISPR-Cas9 system for precisely cutting DNA in eukaryotic cells to change how genes work, opening the door for gene editing in complex organisms. - [Using Yeast Cell Walls to Deliver Genetic Medicine](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/8580275/car-t-cell-therapy) — A method for using hollowed-out yeast cell walls as tiny transport containers to deliver genetic payloads like DNA or RNA into cells. - [How CRISPR-Cas9 Uses RNA to Edit DNA](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/10113167/methods-and-compositions-for-rna-directed-target-dna-modification-and-for-rna-directed-modulation-of-transcription) — This patent describes the fundamental mechanism of using a two-part RNA system to guide the Cas9 protein to specific locations in DNA for precise editing. - [How to Precisely Edit Genes Using Retron-Guide RNA Cassettes](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/20230383290/high-throughput-precision-genome-editing) — This patent describes a method for highly efficient and precise genome editing using a retron-guide RNA cassette to deliver large pieces of donor DNA into a cell's genetic material. - [How to Build Tiny Lipid Capsules to Deliver Genetic Medicines](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/10155945/method-of-producing-lipid-nanoparticles-for-drug-delivery) — A precise method for creating small, stable lipid bubbles that safely carry genetic material like siRNA into cells for medical treatment.