New Nanoparticles for Delivering Large RNA Medicines to Cells
This patent describes a specific type of modified dendrimer nanoparticle designed to efficiently deliver large RNA molecules, like replicating RNA, into cells for therapeutic, prophylactic, or diagnostic purposes, notably without using cholesterol.
Original patent title: “Compositions and methods for modified dendrimer nanoparticle delivery”
This patent describes a specific type of modified dendrimer nanoparticle designed to efficiently deliver large RNA molecules, like replicating RNA, into cells for therapeutic, prophylactic, or diagnostic purposes, notably without using cholesterol. Granted to Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 2025 with 24 claims, and it is expected to expire in 2041.
Coverage
What does this patent actually cover?
This patent describes a method for delivering various agents, such as medicines or diagnostic tools, to a subject's cells using a special particle called a modified dendrimer nanoparticle (MDNP). The MDNP is built from three main parts: specific types of dendrimers (like poly(ethylene imine) or poly(propylene imine) from claimclaimA numbered sentence at the end of a patent that legally defines what the inventor owns. The most important section.Read more → 1), a particular amphiphilic polymer (1,2-dimystistoyl-sn-glycerol-3-phosphoethanolamine-N-[methoxy (polyethylene glycol)-2000] from claim 1), and one or more nucleic acids (like replicating RNA or messenger RNA from claim 11) that are encapsulated inside. A key feature is that this nanoparticle specifically does not include cholesterol (claim 1). For example, these nanoparticles can deliver replicating RNAs that express proteins in cells, potentially at different rates if multiple RNAs are used (claim 3), which could be used to trigger an immune response against cancer or infectious agents (claim 15).
The gap
What does this patent NOT cover?
- Does not cover nanoparticles that include cholesterol in their composition, as claimclaimA numbered sentence at the end of a patent that legally defines what the inventor owns. The most important section.Read more → 1 explicitly states the nanoparticle 'does not include cholesterol'.
- Does not cover delivery systems using dendrimers outside the specific types and generations listed in claimclaimA numbered sentence at the end of a patent that legally defines what the inventor owns. The most important section.Read more → 1, such as poly(ethylene imine) dendrimers beyond seven generations.
- Does not cover nanoparticles using amphiphilic polymers other than the specific 1,2-dimystistoyl-sn-glycerol-3-phosphoethanolamine-N-[methoxy (polyethylene glycol)-2000] mentioned 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 methods of delivery where the nucleic acids are not encapsulated within the dendrimer nanoparticle, such as direct injection of naked RNA.
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 lies in the precise, cholesterol-free formulation of the modified dendrimer nanoparticle, which allows for efficient encapsulation and delivery of large replicating RNA molecules. This specific composition enables the nanoparticles to effectively stimulate the immune system by driving the proliferation of antigen-specific T cells and boosting antibody responses, a critical function for vaccine development.
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
mRNA vaccines for infectious diseases (e.g., COVID-19 vaccines)
Gene therapies for genetic disorders
Oncolytic virus therapies (using replicating RNA to target cancer cells)
Immunotherapies for cancer
Why it matters
The bigger picture
This patent is significant because it addresses a major challenge in medicine: safely and effectively delivering large genetic material, like RNA, into cells. The ability to deliver replicating RNA (repRNA) is particularly important for developing advanced vaccines and gene therapies that can prompt the body to produce therapeutic proteins or antigens. The inventors include prominent figures in drug delivery like Robert S. Langer, whose work has enabled numerous biomedical innovations, highlighting the potential impact of this technology on future treatments for diseases like cancer and infections.
Filed
March 10, 2021
Granted
September 23, 2025
Market context
Who's building on this
Companies in this space
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) is the assigneeassigneeThe entity that owns the patent — usually the inventor's employer or a company.Read more →, indicating continued research and development in this area within academic and potentially spin-off commercial ventures. The broader field of RNA therapeutics and delivery is highly active, with major pharmaceutical and biotech companies like Moderna, BioNTech, and CureVac investing heavily in similar technologies for vaccines and gene therapies. These companies are continually exploring novel nanoparticle formulations to improve RNA delivery.
Market impact
The development of effective RNA delivery systems has revolutionized the pharmaceutical market, particularly in the vaccine space, as demonstrated by the rapid deployment of mRNA vaccines. This patent contributes to the foundational technology for such systems, potentially enabling the creation of more stable, efficient, and targeted RNA-based therapies. It could influence the design of future drug delivery vehicles, offering new avenues for treating a wide range of diseases and potentially blocking competitors who rely on cholesterol-containing formulations.
Claim 1 — Plain English
What this patent covers
This patent describes a method for delivering various agents, such as medicines or diagnostic tools, to a subject's cells using a special particle called a modified dendrimer nanoparticle (MDNP). The MDNP is built from three main parts: specific types of dendrimers (like poly(ethylene imine) or poly(propylene imine) from claim 1), a particular amphiphilic polymer (1,2-dimystistoyl-sn-glycerol-3-phosphoethanolamine-N-[methoxy (polyethylene glycol)-2000] from claim 1), and one or more nucleic acids (like replicating RNA or messenger RNA from claim 11) that are encapsulated inside. A key feature is that this nanoparticle specifically does not include cholesterol (claim 1). For example, these nanoparticles can deliver replicating RNAs that express proteins in cells, potentially at different rates if multiple RNAs are used (claim 3), which could be used to trigger an immune response against cancer or infectious agents (claim 15).
The clever bit
The clever part lies in the precise, cholesterol-free formulation of the modified dendrimer nanoparticle, which allows for efficient encapsulation and delivery of large replicating RNA molecules. This specific composition enables the nanoparticles to effectively stimulate the immune system by driving the proliferation of antigen-specific T cells and boosting antibody responses, a critical function for vaccine development.
What it does not cover
- Does not cover nanoparticles that include cholesterol in their composition, as claim 1 explicitly states the nanoparticle 'does not include cholesterol'.
- Does not cover delivery systems using dendrimers outside the specific types and generations listed in claim 1, such as poly(ethylene imine) dendrimers beyond seven generations.
- Does not cover nanoparticles using amphiphilic polymers other than the specific 1,2-dimystistoyl-sn-glycerol-3-phosphoethanolamine-N-[methoxy (polyethylene glycol)-2000] mentioned in claim 1.
- Does not cover methods of delivery where the nucleic acids are not encapsulated within the dendrimer nanoparticle, such as direct injection of naked RNA.
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
16/20
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
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
$59K – $187K
Midpoint $117K · 14.5 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.
Patent Claims
0 independent claims · 1 dependent
Claims are the legal boundaries of the patent. An independent claim stands alone. A dependent claim adds limitations to its parent, narrowing — but not broadening — the scope.
The original legal language
Original claims
24 claims as filed with the patent office.
Concepts involved
Citations
Patent lineage
Cite this patent
Ploegh, H., Anderson, D. G., Chahal, J. S., Jacks, T. E., Langer, R. S., Khan, O. F., & Canner, D. A. (2025). New Nanoparticles for Delivering Large RNA Medicines to Cells (U.S. Patent No. 12,419,940). U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/12419940/compositions-and-methods-for-modified-dendrimer-nanoparticle-delivery
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 New Nanoparticles for Delivering Large RNA Medicines to Cells cover?
This patent describes a specific type of modified dendrimer nanoparticle designed to efficiently deliver large RNA molecules, like replicating RNA, into cells for therapeutic, prophylactic, or diagnostic purposes, notably without using cholesterol.
Who owns patent US 12419940?
Massachusetts Institute of Technology owns this patent, granted in 2025.
When does this patent expire?
This patent is expected to expire on March 10, 2041, when the invention enters the public domain.
What problem does this patent solve?
This patent is significant because it addresses a major challenge in medicine: safely and effectively delivering large genetic material, like RNA, into cells. The ability to deliver replicating RNA (repRNA) is particularly important for developing advanced vaccines and gene therapies that can prompt the body to produce therapeutic proteins or antigens. The inventors include prominent figures in drug delivery like Robert S. Langer, whose work has enabled numerous biomedical innovations, highlighting the potential impact of this technology on future treatments for diseases like cancer and…
What does this patent NOT cover?
Does not cover nanoparticles that include cholesterol in their composition, as claim 1 explicitly states the nanoparticle 'does not include cholesterol'.
Same assignee
More from Massachusetts Institute of Technology
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