Using Antibodies and CAR-T Cells to Fight MUC1-C Expressing Cancers
This patent describes specific antibodies and engineered immune cells (CAR-T) designed to target and treat cancers that produce a particular protein called MUC1-C.
Original patent title: “Anti-MUC1-C antibodies and CAR-T structures”
This patent describes specific antibodies and engineered immune cells (CAR-T) designed to target and treat cancers that produce a particular protein called MUC1-C. Granted in 2026.
Coverage
What does this patent actually cover?
The patent discloses anti-MUC1-C antibodies, including a type referred to as UniAbs™, and CAR-T structures. These are designed to recognize and bind to the MUC1-C protein, which is found on certain cancer cells. The patent also covers methods for creating these antibodies and CAR-T structures, as well as pharmaceutical compositions containing them. The core purpose is to use these specialized biological tools to treat diseases, specifically cancers, that are characterized by the presence of MUC1-C. For example, a patient with a MUC1-C expressing tumor could potentially receive a therapy made from these CAR-T cells to help their immune system attack the cancer.
The gap
What does this patent NOT cover?
- Does not cover therapies targeting cancer markers or proteins other than MUC1-C.
- Does not cover cancer treatments that do not involve antibodies or CAR-T structures.
- Does not cover methods for diagnosing MUC1-C expressing disorders, focusing only on treatment.
- Does not cover the use of non-antibody-based molecules or different types of cell therapies to target MUC1-C.
These exclusions are unique to PatentBrief — derived from the actual claim language, not patent-office boilerplate.
Key facts
What made this novel
The clever bit is the specific targeting of the MUC1-C protein using a dual approach of specialized antibodies and CAR-T cells. MUC1-C plays a role in cancer cell survival and growth, so precisely hitting this target with both antibody-based and cell-based therapies offers a potentially potent way to combat tumors that rely on this protein.
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
CAR-T cell therapies (e.g., Kymriah, Yescarta)
Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs)
Targeted cancer immunotherapies
Treatments for solid tumors expressing MUC1-C
Why it matters
The bigger picture
MUC1-C is a protein often found on the surface of aggressive cancer cells, making it a significant target for new cancer treatments. This patent combines two powerful approaches: highly specific antibodies and CAR-T cell therapy, which reprograms a patient's own immune cells to fight cancer. Developing targeted therapies like these is crucial for improving outcomes in hard-to-treat cancers.
Filed
February 28, 2022
Granted
September 15, 2026
Market context
Who's building on this
Companies in this space
Major pharmaceutical companies like Novartis, Gilead Sciences, and Bristol Myers Squibb are actively developing and commercializing CAR-T cell therapies for various cancers. Numerous biotech firms and academic institutions are also researching novel antibody designs and CAR-T targets, including those relevant to MUC1-C, to expand treatment options for solid tumors.
Market impact
The development of targeted antibodies and CAR-T therapies has created a new frontier in cancer treatment, particularly for previously untreatable or relapsed cancers. Patents like this contribute to the intellectual property landscape that drives innovation in precision oncology, potentially leading to new product categories and enabling more personalized cancer care. This area is highly competitive, with significant investment in research and development aimed at expanding the range of treatable cancers.
Claim 1 — Plain English
What this patent covers
The patent discloses anti-MUC1-C antibodies, including a type referred to as UniAbs™, and CAR-T structures. These are designed to recognize and bind to the MUC1-C protein, which is found on certain cancer cells. The patent also covers methods for creating these antibodies and CAR-T structures, as well as pharmaceutical compositions containing them. The core purpose is to use these specialized biological tools to treat diseases, specifically cancers, that are characterized by the presence of MUC1-C. For example, a patient with a MUC1-C expressing tumor could potentially receive a therapy made from these CAR-T cells to help their immune system attack the cancer.
The clever bit
The clever bit is the specific targeting of the MUC1-C protein using a dual approach of specialized antibodies and CAR-T cells. MUC1-C plays a role in cancer cell survival and growth, so precisely hitting this target with both antibody-based and cell-based therapies offers a potentially potent way to combat tumors that rely on this protein.
What it does not cover
- Does not cover therapies targeting cancer markers or proteins other than MUC1-C.
- Does not cover cancer treatments that do not involve antibodies or CAR-T structures.
- Does not cover methods for diagnosing MUC1-C expressing disorders, focusing only on treatment.
- Does not cover the use of non-antibody-based molecules or different types of cell therapies to target MUC1-C.
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 · 15.4 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). Using Antibodies and CAR-T Cells to Fight MUC1-C Expressing Cancers (U.S. Patent No. 12,735,503). U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/12735503/anti-muc1-c-antibodies-and-car-t-structures
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 Using Antibodies and CAR-T Cells to Fight MUC1-C Expressing Cancers cover?
This patent describes specific antibodies and engineered immune cells (CAR-T) designed to target and treat cancers that produce a particular protein called MUC1-C.
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?
MUC1-C is a protein often found on the surface of aggressive cancer cells, making it a significant target for new cancer treatments. This patent combines two powerful approaches: highly specific antibodies and CAR-T cell therapy, which reprograms a patient's own immune cells to fight cancer. Developing targeted therapies like these is crucial for improving outcomes in hard-to-treat cancers.
What does this patent NOT cover?
Does not cover therapies targeting cancer markers or proteins other than MUC1-C.
Patent monitoring