How an mRNA Vaccine Targets Prostate Cancer with Six Antigens
This patent describes an mRNA vaccine designed to treat prostate cancer by delivering genetic instructions for a specific combination of six prostate-related proteins, teaching the body to fight the cancer.
Original patent title: “Composition and vaccine for treating prostate cancer”
This patent describes an mRNA vaccine designed to treat prostate cancer by delivering genetic instructions for a specific combination of six prostate-related proteins, teaching the body to fight the cancer. Owned by Curevac AG with 50 claims and 84 forward citations, and it is expected to expire in 2036.
Coverage
What does this patent actually cover?
This patent describes a special mixture, called a composition, that contains at least one messenger RNA (mRNA) molecule. This mRNA carries the genetic blueprint for six specific proteins: STEAP, PSA, PSMA, PSCA, PAP, and MUC1 (ClaimclaimA numbered sentence at the end of a patent that legally defines what the inventor owns. The most important section.Read more → 1). These proteins are commonly found in prostate cancer cells. The goal is for the body's cells to read these mRNA instructions and produce these proteins, which then train the immune system to recognize and attack prostate cancer cells that also have these proteins (AbstractabstractA short summary at the front of the patent describing the invention. Not legally binding.Read more →). The mRNA can be designed to carry instructions for all six proteins on a single strand (multicistronic) or have separate mRNA strands for each protein (Claim 1, 2, 3). For example, a patient could receive an injection of this mRNA composition, leading their immune system to develop a targeted defense against prostate cancer.
The gap
What does this patent NOT cover?
- Does not cover an mRNA vaccine for prostate cancer that only includes some of the six specific antigens (STEAP, PSA, PSMA, PSCA, PAP, MUC1) but not all of them, as claimed in ClaimclaimA numbered sentence at the end of a patent that legally defines what the inventor owns. The most important section.Read more → 1.
- Does not cover an mRNA vaccine for prostate cancer that uses different prostate-specific antigens not explicitly listed in ClaimclaimA numbered sentence at the end of a patent that legally defines what the inventor owns. The most important section.Read more → 1.
- Does not cover non-mRNA vaccine approaches, such as traditional protein-based or viral vector vaccines, for treating prostate cancer.
- Does not cover mRNA vaccines designed to treat other types of cancer that do not involve these specific prostate antigens.
- Does not cover mRNA compositions that lack the specific stabilizing modifications described in claimsclaimsThe numbered statements at the end of a patent that legally define what the inventor owns.Read more → 7-11, such as increased G/C content or specific 3' UTR elements like a poly(C) tail or histone stem-loop.
These exclusions are unique to PatentBrief — derived from the actual claim language, not patent-office boilerplate.
Key facts
What made this novel
The clever part is the specific combination of six distinct prostate cancer antigens (STEAP, PSA, PSMA, PSCA, PAP, MUC1) delivered via mRNA. By presenting multiple targets simultaneously, the vaccine aims to make it harder for cancer cells to evade the immune system by simply changing one protein, potentially leading to a more comprehensive and durable anti-cancer immune response.
The Patent Drawing
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
CureVac's ongoing mRNA vaccine candidates for oncology
Moderna's mRNA cancer vaccine programs
BioNTech/Pfizer's mRNA cancer vaccine research
Other mRNA-based therapeutic approaches in oncology
Why it matters
The bigger picture
Prostate cancer is a significant health challenge, and traditional treatments can have severe side effects. This patent aims to harness the body's own immune system to fight the cancer using mRNA technology. By targeting a specific combination of six antigens, the vaccine could potentially create a more robust and lasting immune response against various forms of prostate cancer, including advanced and treatment-resistant types. This approach offers a new avenue for developing more precise and effective cancer therapies.
Filed
February 19, 2016
Market context
Who's building on this
Companies in this space
CureVac AG, the assigneeassigneeThe entity that owns the patent — usually the inventor's employer or a company.Read more →, is a key player in mRNA technology and continues to develop mRNA-based vaccines and therapeutics, including for oncology. Other major biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies like BioNTech and Moderna are also heavily invested in advancing mRNA technology for cancer treatment, often exploring different antigen combinations and mRNA optimization strategies.
Market impact
This patent contributes to the rapidly expanding field of mRNA therapeutics, particularly in oncology. The development of mRNA vaccines for cancer has opened new avenues for treatment, offering the potential for rapid development and personalized approaches. While this specific patent focuses on prostate cancer, it reflects a broader industry shift towards leveraging mRNA technology to stimulate anti-tumor immune responses, potentially leading to new drug categories and significant market opportunities.
Claim 1 — Plain English
What this patent covers
This patent describes a special mixture, called a composition, that contains at least one messenger RNA (mRNA) molecule. This mRNA carries the genetic blueprint for six specific proteins: STEAP, PSA, PSMA, PSCA, PAP, and MUC1 (Claim 1). These proteins are commonly found in prostate cancer cells. The goal is for the body's cells to read these mRNA instructions and produce these proteins, which then train the immune system to recognize and attack prostate cancer cells that also have these proteins (Abstract). The mRNA can be designed to carry instructions for all six proteins on a single strand (multicistronic) or have separate mRNA strands for each protein (Claim 1, 2, 3). For example, a patient could receive an injection of this mRNA composition, leading their immune system to develop a targeted defense against prostate cancer.
The clever bit
The clever part is the specific combination of six distinct prostate cancer antigens (STEAP, PSA, PSMA, PSCA, PAP, MUC1) delivered via mRNA. By presenting multiple targets simultaneously, the vaccine aims to make it harder for cancer cells to evade the immune system by simply changing one protein, potentially leading to a more comprehensive and durable anti-cancer immune response.
What it does not cover
- Does not cover an mRNA vaccine for prostate cancer that only includes some of the six specific antigens (STEAP, PSA, PSMA, PSCA, PAP, MUC1) but not all of them, as claimed in Claim 1.
- Does not cover an mRNA vaccine for prostate cancer that uses different prostate-specific antigens not explicitly listed in Claim 1.
- Does not cover non-mRNA vaccine approaches, such as traditional protein-based or viral vector vaccines, for treating prostate cancer.
- Does not cover mRNA vaccines designed to treat other types of cancer that do not involve these specific prostate antigens.
- Does not cover mRNA compositions that lack the specific stabilizing modifications described in claims 7-11, such as increased G/C content or specific 3' UTR elements like a poly(C) tail or histone stem-loop.
Patent timeline
Application submitted to the patent office
Patent enters public domain
PatentBrief Score
Impact Score
Moderate
Citation count
39/40
Highly cited
Claim breadth
20/20
Very broad protection
Recency
0/20
Older than 20 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
$720K – $2.3M
Midpoint $1.4M · 9.6 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.
The original legal language
Original claims
50 claims as filed with the patent office.
Concepts involved
Citations
Patent lineage
Cite this patent
Lander, T., Kallen, K., Gnad-Vogt, U., & Fotin-Mleczek, M. How an mRNA Vaccine Targets Prostate Cancer with Six Antigens (U.S. Patent No. 20,160,166,668). U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/20160166668/composition-and-vaccine-for-treating-prostate-cancer
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 an mRNA Vaccine Targets Prostate Cancer with Six Antigens cover?
This patent describes an mRNA vaccine designed to treat prostate cancer by delivering genetic instructions for a specific combination of six prostate-related proteins, teaching the body to fight the cancer.
Who owns patent US 20160166668?
This patent is owned by Curevac AG.
When does this patent expire?
This patent is expected to expire on February 19, 2036, when the invention enters the public domain.
What is patent US 20160166668 cited by?
This patent has been cited by 84 later patents that build on its ideas.
What problem does this patent solve?
Prostate cancer is a significant health challenge, and traditional treatments can have severe side effects. This patent aims to harness the body's own immune system to fight the cancer using mRNA technology. By targeting a specific combination of six antigens, the vaccine could potentially create a more robust and lasting immune response against various forms of prostate cancer, including advanced and treatment-resistant types. This approach offers a new avenue for developing more precise and effective cancer therapies.
What does this patent NOT cover?
Does not cover an mRNA vaccine for prostate cancer that only includes some of the six specific antigens (STEAP, PSA, PSMA, PSCA, PAP, MUC1) but not all of them, as claimed in Claim 1.
Patent monitoring