Antibodies that Deliver Drugs to Cells Using Transferrin Receptors
This patent describes special antibodies that bind to transferrin receptors on cells to deliver molecular payloads, such as genetic material, for therapeutic purposes.
Original patent title: “Anti-transferrin receptor (TFR) antibody, encoding nucleic acid thereof and method of use thereof to deliver an oligonucleotide to a subject”
This patent describes special antibodies that bind to transferrin receptors on cells to deliver molecular payloads, such as genetic material, for therapeutic purposes. Granted in 2026.
Coverage
What does this patent actually cover?
The patent focuses on specific antibodies designed to attach to a protein called the transferrin receptor (TFR), particularly transferrin receptor 1, found on the surface of many cells. Once the antibody binds to this receptor, it can deliver a 'molecular payload' into the cell. This payload is covalently linked, meaning it's strongly attached to the antibody. The abstractabstractA short summary at the front of the patent describing the invention. Not legally binding.Read more → specifically mentions delivering an oligonucleotide, which is a type of genetic material, into a subject. This mechanism allows for targeted delivery of drugs or genetic therapies to specific cells or tissues.
The gap
What does this patent NOT cover?
- Does not cover antibodies that bind to cell receptors other than the transferrin receptor.
- Does not cover drug delivery systems that do not use an antibody as the primary targeting agent.
- Does not cover delivery of payloads that are not covalently linked to the antibody.
- Does not cover delivery of payloads that are not oligonucleotides, unless they are also 'molecular payloads' linked to the antibody.
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 specific anti-transferrin receptor antibodies that can effectively carry and deliver a 'molecular payload' into cells. This approach leverages a natural cellular uptake pathway, the transferrin receptor pathway, to smuggle therapeutic molecules inside.
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
Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) for cancer therapy
Gene therapy delivery systems targeting specific cell types
Drug delivery across the blood-brain barrier
Research into targeted delivery of RNA therapeutics
Why it matters
The bigger picture
Targeted drug delivery is crucial for treating many diseases, especially those where drugs struggle to reach specific cells or cross barriers like the blood-brain barrier. The transferrin receptor is highly expressed on certain cells, including those in the brain and various cancer cells, making it an attractive target. This technology could enable more effective treatments by ensuring therapeutic agents reach their intended targets while minimizing side effects on healthy tissues.
Filed
July 9, 2021
Granted
September 15, 2026
Market context
Who's building on this
Companies in this space
Many biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies are actively developing targeted drug delivery systems, including those leveraging antibodies and receptor-mediated uptake. Companies like Genentech (a subsidiary of Roche), Amgen, and AstraZeneca are major players in antibody-drug conjugates. Newer gene therapy companies are also exploring similar delivery mechanisms for genetic medicines.
Market impact
This type of technology has the potential to significantly improve the efficacy and safety of drugs, especially for complex diseases. By enabling targeted delivery, it could reduce systemic side effects and allow for the treatment of conditions previously considered untreatable due to delivery challenges. It contributes to the growing field of precision medicine, where therapies are tailored to specific biological targets.
Claim 1 — Plain English
What this patent covers
The patent focuses on specific antibodies designed to attach to a protein called the transferrin receptor (TFR), particularly transferrin receptor 1, found on the surface of many cells. Once the antibody binds to this receptor, it can deliver a 'molecular payload' into the cell. This payload is covalently linked, meaning it's strongly attached to the antibody. The abstract specifically mentions delivering an oligonucleotide, which is a type of genetic material, into a subject. This mechanism allows for targeted delivery of drugs or genetic therapies to specific cells or tissues.
The clever bit
The novelty lies in creating specific anti-transferrin receptor antibodies that can effectively carry and deliver a 'molecular payload' into cells. This approach leverages a natural cellular uptake pathway, the transferrin receptor pathway, to smuggle therapeutic molecules inside.
What it does not cover
- Does not cover antibodies that bind to cell receptors other than the transferrin receptor.
- Does not cover drug delivery systems that do not use an antibody as the primary targeting agent.
- Does not cover delivery of payloads that are not covalently linked to the antibody.
- Does not cover delivery of payloads that are not oligonucleotides, unless they are also 'molecular payloads' linked to the antibody.
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 · 14.7 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). Antibodies that Deliver Drugs to Cells Using Transferrin Receptors (U.S. Patent No. 12,734,246). U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/12734246/anti-transferrin-receptor-tfr-antibody-encoding-nucleic-acid-thereof-and
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 Antibodies that Deliver Drugs to Cells Using Transferrin Receptors cover?
This patent describes special antibodies that bind to transferrin receptors on cells to deliver molecular payloads, such as genetic material, for therapeutic purposes.
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?
Targeted drug delivery is crucial for treating many diseases, especially those where drugs struggle to reach specific cells or cross barriers like the blood-brain barrier. The transferrin receptor is highly expressed on certain cells, including those in the brain and various cancer cells, making it an attractive target. This technology could enable more effective treatments by ensuring therapeutic agents reach their intended targets while minimizing side effects on healthy tissues.
What does this patent NOT cover?
Does not cover antibodies that bind to cell receptors other than the transferrin receptor.
Patent monitoring