# 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. - **Patent:** US 12734215 - **Original title:** Biased IL2 muteins methods and compositions - **Granted:** 2026 - **Status:** Active - **Times cited:** 0 - **Field:** biotech, pharmaceutical, gene_editing, oncology, immunology ## What it does 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. ## 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. ## 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. ## Real-world examples 1. Bempegaldesleukin (NKTR-214) 2. Roche's RG7461 (fused IL2) 3. Sanofi's SAR444245 (IL2 mutein) 4. Alkermes' nemvaleukin alfa (IL2 fusion protein) 5. Companies developing next-generation cytokine therapies for oncology ## Why it matters 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. ## 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. **Full plain-English explainer:** https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/12734215/biased-il2-muteins-methods-and-compositions **Original patent:** https://patents.google.com/patent/US12734215 --- _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 Genetically Modified T-Cells Fight CD19 Cancers](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/9481728/compositions-and-methods-for-treatment-of-cancer) — This patent describes how to create and use genetically modified human T cells that target and kill cancer cells expressing the CD19 protein, offering a new way to treat blood cancers. - [Targeting Cancer with CAR T Cells Using Small Molecule 'Flags'](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/20250171803/methods-and-compositions-for-car-t-cell-therapy) — This patent describes a method to treat cancer by giving a patient special immune cells (CAR T cells) that are trained to find a specific 'flag' molecule, and then also giving them a drug molecule attached to that same 'flag' in varying amounts or forms. - [Predicting and Treating Dangerous Side Effects in CAR T-Cell Therapy](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/12163952/determining-toxicity-risk-in-car-t-cell-therapy) — This patent describes methods to identify patients at high risk for severe side effects, like cytokine release syndrome or neurotoxicity, during CAR T-cell cancer therapy and how to treat them proactively. - [How Genetically Modified T-Cells Attack Cancer](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/9328156/use-of-chimeric-antigen-receptor-modified-t-cells-to-treat-cancer) — This patent describes how human T cells are genetically engineered to express a special receptor (CAR) that specifically targets and kills cancer cells, particularly those with the CD19 marker, offering a new way to treat cancer. - [Targeting Cancer with CAR T Cells Using a Chemical Tag](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/20240165159/compositions-and-methods-for-car-t-cell-therapy) — This patent describes a method to treat cancer by giving a patient special immune cells (CAR T cells) that recognize a chemical tag, which is attached to a small drug molecule, along with a separate folate compound.