{
  "patent_number": "US 12734236",
  "country": "US",
  "title": "How Antibodies Block VLA-4 to Treat Inflammatory Diseases",
  "original_title": "Anti-VLA-4 antibodies",
  "summary": "This patent describes antibodies, which are immune system proteins, designed to specifically attach to and block a target protein called VLA-4, which is involved in inflammation and immune responses.",
  "what_it_does": "This invention focuses on antibodies and their fragments that are designed to bind to alpha-4, a component of the VLA-4 protein. VLA-4 is a cell surface protein that helps immune cells stick to blood vessel walls and move into tissues, a process central to inflammation. By binding to alpha-4, these antibodies aim to prevent immune cells from migrating, thereby reducing inflammation. For example, in conditions like multiple sclerosis, immune cells incorrectly attack nerve tissue; an antibody targeting VLA-4 would aim to stop these cells from reaching the brain and spinal cord.",
  "what_it_does_not_cover": [
    "Does not cover small-molecule drugs that block VLA-4, as the invention specifically relates to antibodies and their fragments.",
    "Does not cover antibodies that target other cell adhesion molecules not related to the alpha-4 subunit of VLA-4.",
    "Does not cover gene therapies or cell therapies aimed at modulating VLA-4 expression or function.",
    "Does not cover diagnostic methods using VLA-4 binding agents, as the focus is on therapeutic antibodies."
  ],
  "filed": "2023-02-06",
  "granted": "2026-09-15",
  "expires": null,
  "status": "active",
  "holder": null,
  "holder_url": null,
  "inventors": [],
  "times_cited": 0,
  "tags": [
    "biotech",
    "pharmaceutical",
    "biologics"
  ],
  "abstract": "This invention relates to alpha-4 binding antibodies, and fragments thereof.",
  "url": "https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/12734236/anti-vla-4-antibodies",
  "markdown_url": "https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/12734236/anti-vla-4-antibodies/md",
  "google_patents_url": "https://patents.google.com/patent/US12734236",
  "relatedPatents": []
}