How Modified IL2 Proteins Can Treat Human Diseases
This patent describes new versions of the human immune protein Interleukin-2 (IL2), called muteins, designed to specifically target certain immune responses for treating various human diseases.
Original patent title: “Biased IL2 muteins methods and compositions”
This patent describes new versions of the human immune protein Interleukin-2 (IL2), called muteins, designed to specifically target certain immune responses for treating various human diseases. Granted in 2026.
Coverage
What does this patent actually cover?
This patent generally covers engineered versions of human Interleukin-2 (hIL2), known as muteins, which are proteins modified to have specific, or 'biased,' effects on the immune system. It also includes the pharmaceutical mixtures containing these muteins, the methods for creating these modified proteins, and the genetic tools (recombinant vectors and cells) that carry the instructions for making them. The ultimate goal is to use these biased IL2 muteins as a treatment for human diseases. For example, a specific IL2 mutein might be designed to boost only the anti-tumor immune cells, avoiding side effects on other immune cells.
The gap
What does this patent NOT cover?
- Does not cover the use of unmodified, natural human Interleukin-2 (hIL2) for therapeutic purposes.
- Does not cover other types of immune-modulating proteins or small molecule drugs that are not IL2 muteins.
- Does not cover IL2 muteins that are not 'biased' to specifically activate or suppress certain immune cell populations.
- Does not cover methods of treatment that do not involve administering these specific IL2 muteins or their formulations.
- Does not cover methods for preparing IL2 muteins that do not involve recombinant vectors or cells.
These exclusions are unique to PatentBrief — derived from the actual claim language, not patent-office boilerplate.
Key facts
What made this novel
The noveltynoveltyThe requirement that an invention be different from anything publicly known before its priority date.Read more → lies in creating 'biased' IL2 muteins. This means engineering the protein to specifically activate only certain parts of the immune system, rather than broadly stimulating all IL2-responsive cells, which can lead to severe side effects with unmodified IL2.
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
Bempegaldesleukin (NKTR-214)
Roche's RG7461 (fused IL2)
Sanofi's SAR444245 (IL2 mutein)
Alkermes' nemvaleukin alfa (IL2 fusion protein)
Companies developing next-generation cytokine therapies for oncology
Why it matters
The bigger picture
Interleukin-2 (IL2) is a powerful protein that helps the immune system fight cancer and infections, but its natural form can cause severe side effects by activating too many different types of immune cells. This patent focuses on 'biased' IL2 muteins, which are designed to be more precise, potentially offering safer and more effective treatments for conditions like cancer and autoimmune diseases. This precision could unlock the full therapeutic potential of IL2 by minimizing unwanted immune activation.
Filed
June 6, 2022
Granted
September 15, 2026
Market context
Who's building on this
Companies in this space
Many pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies are actively developing next-generation IL2 therapies, including Roche, Sanofi, Alkermes, and Nektar Therapeutics. These companies are focused on engineering IL2 variants to improve efficacy and reduce toxicity, particularly in cancer immunotherapy. The original assigneeassigneeThe entity that owns the patent — usually the inventor's employer or a company.Read more → is unknown, but the field of biased cytokine engineering is a major area of investment.
Market impact
The development of biased IL2 muteins aims to overcome the significant toxicity limitations of original IL2 therapies, which previously restricted their widespread use. If successful, these new formulations could expand the treatable patient population for various cancers and autoimmune disorders, potentially creating a new class of safer and more effective immunotherapies. This could lead to a substantial shift in treatment paradigms, especially in oncology.
Claim 1 — Plain English
What this patent covers
This patent generally covers engineered versions of human Interleukin-2 (hIL2), known as muteins, which are proteins modified to have specific, or 'biased,' effects on the immune system. It also includes the pharmaceutical mixtures containing these muteins, the methods for creating these modified proteins, and the genetic tools (recombinant vectors and cells) that carry the instructions for making them. The ultimate goal is to use these biased IL2 muteins as a treatment for human diseases. For example, a specific IL2 mutein might be designed to boost only the anti-tumor immune cells, avoiding side effects on other immune cells.
The clever bit
The novelty lies in creating 'biased' IL2 muteins. This means engineering the protein to specifically activate only certain parts of the immune system, rather than broadly stimulating all IL2-responsive cells, which can lead to severe side effects with unmodified IL2.
What it does not cover
- Does not cover the use of unmodified, natural human Interleukin-2 (hIL2) for therapeutic purposes.
- Does not cover other types of immune-modulating proteins or small molecule drugs that are not IL2 muteins.
- Does not cover IL2 muteins that are not 'biased' to specifically activate or suppress certain immune cell populations.
- Does not cover methods of treatment that do not involve administering these specific IL2 muteins or their formulations.
- Does not cover methods for preparing IL2 muteins that do not involve recombinant vectors or cells.
Patent timeline
Application submitted to the patent office
Patent officially issued
PatentBrief Score
Impact Score
Early stage
Citation count
0/40
No citations yet
Claim breadth
0/20
Narrow 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
0/20
Independent or smaller assigneeassigneeThe entity that owns the patent — usually the inventor's employer or a company.Read more →
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
$36K – $115K
Midpoint $72K · 15.7 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
Concepts involved
Cite this patent
(2026). How Modified IL2 Proteins Can Treat Human Diseases (U.S. Patent No. 12,734,215). U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/12734215/biased-il2-muteins-methods-and-compositions
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 How Modified IL2 Proteins Can Treat Human Diseases cover?
This patent describes new versions of the human immune protein Interleukin-2 (IL2), called muteins, designed to specifically target certain immune responses for treating various human diseases.
When does this patent expire?
This patent is expected to expire on September 15, 2046, when the invention enters the public domain.
What problem does this patent solve?
Interleukin-2 (IL2) is a powerful protein that helps the immune system fight cancer and infections, but its natural form can cause severe side effects by activating too many different types of immune cells. This patent focuses on 'biased' IL2 muteins, which are designed to be more precise, potentially offering safer and more effective treatments for conditions like cancer and autoimmune diseases. This precision could unlock the full therapeutic potential of IL2 by minimizing unwanted immune activation.
What does this patent NOT cover?
Does not cover the use of unmodified, natural human Interleukin-2 (hIL2) for therapeutic purposes.
Patent monitoring