# 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. - **Patent:** US 12419940 - **Original title:** Compositions and methods for modified dendrimer nanoparticle delivery - **Owner:** Massachusetts Institute of Technology - **Granted:** 2025 - **Status:** Active - **Times cited:** 0 - **Field:** biotech, pharmaceutical, gene_editing, materials, telecommunications ## What it does 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). ## 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. ## 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. ## Real-world examples 1. mRNA vaccines for infectious diseases (e.g., COVID-19 vaccines) 2. Gene therapies for genetic disorders 3. Oncolytic virus therapies (using replicating RNA to target cancer cells) 4. Immunotherapies for cancer ## Why it matters 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. ## 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'. **Full plain-English explainer:** https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/12419940/compositions-and-methods-for-modified-dendrimer-nanoparticle-delivery **Original patent:** https://patents.google.com/patent/US12419940 --- _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: - [Delivering Large Gene Editing Tools into Cells with Hybrid Virus-Lipid Packages](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/12350368/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. - [How Modified RNA Tricks Cells Into Making Proteins Without Triggering Attacks](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/8278036/rna-containing-modified-nucleosides-and-methods-of-use-thereof) — A breakthrough method for using modified RNA to deliver instructions to cells without causing the body to reject the treatment as a foreign invader. - [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. - [Targeting Drugs to Specific Body Tissues Using ApoE3-Coated Nanoparticles](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/20190307892/targeted-drug-delivery-and-therapeutic-methods-using-apo-e-modified-lipid-nanopa) — This patent describes a method to deliver drugs or diagnostic agents precisely to target cells or tissues, including the brain, by packaging them inside tiny fat particles (lipid nanoparticles) coated with a special protein called ApoE3. - [How Special Nanoparticles Deliver Cancer Drugs Directly to Tumors](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/20190046446/apo-e-modified-lipid-nanoparticles-for-drug-delivery-to-targeted-tissues-and-the) — This patent describes tiny fat-based particles, called lipid nanoparticles, designed to carry cancer drugs directly to tumor cells using a special protein (ApoE3) on their surface, avoiding a common, potentially problematic ingredient.