Targeting Drugs to Specific Body Tissues Using ApoE3-Coated Nanoparticles
This patent describes a method to deliver drugs or diagnostic agents precisely to target cells or tissues, including the brain, by packaging them inside tiny fat particles (lipid nanoparticles) coated with a special protein called ApoE3.
Original patent title: “Targeted drug delivery and therapeutic methods using apo-e modified lipid nanoparticles”
This patent describes a method to deliver drugs or diagnostic agents precisely to target cells or tissues, including the brain, by packaging them inside tiny fat particles (lipid nanoparticles) coated with a special protein called ApoE3. Owned by Eriochem Usa with 26 claims and 2 forward citations, and it is expected to expire in 2038.
Coverage
What does this patent actually cover?
This patent details a method for improving how therapeutic agents reach specific cells or tissues in the body. It uses a lipid nanoparticle (a tiny fat-based sphere) that carries a drug or diagnostic agent inside (ClaimclaimA numbered sentence at the end of a patent that legally defines what the inventor owns. The most important section.Read more → 1). The key is that this nanoparticle has a human recombinant apolipoprotein (ApoE3) attached to its surface, but without Polysorbate 80 (Claim 1). This ApoE3 coating helps the nanoparticle get preferentially absorbed by tissues like the brain, lung, kidney, and liver that have many LDL receptors (Claim 1). For example, the patent explains how this system can deliver a chemotherapy drug specifically to brain cancer cells by helping it cross the blood-brain barrier (Claim 10), or even an antibiotic like Amphotericin B to treat brain infections (Claim 12).
The gap
What does this patent NOT cover?
- Does not cover lipid nanoparticles that use Polysorbate 80 in their surface coating, as the claimsclaimsThe numbered statements at the end of a patent that legally define what the inventor owns.Read more → specifically exclude it (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 drug delivery systems where the therapeutic agent is chemically attached (conjugated) to the nanoparticle (ClaimclaimA numbered sentence at the end of a patent that legally defines what the inventor owns. The most important section.Read more → 3).
- Does not cover drug delivery where the ApoE3 is not adsorbed to the surface of the nanoparticle, but perhaps integrated differently (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 drug delivery to tissues that do not overexpress LDL receptors, unless the transport mechanism is explicitly through transcytosis independent of LDL receptor binding (ClaimclaimA numbered sentence at the end of a patent that legally defines what the inventor owns. The most important section.Read more → 1 and Claim 11).
- Does not cover nanoparticles that do not contain both a triglyceride and a cholesterol ester component in their lipid core (ClaimclaimA numbered sentence at the end of a patent that legally defines what the inventor owns. The most important section.Read more → 1).
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 using ApoE3, a naturally occurring protein, to 'trick' cells and the blood-brain barrier into taking up drug-loaded nanoparticles. By adsorbing ApoE3 to the nanoparticle surface, the system either targets cells that overexpress LDL receptors or facilitates transport across the blood-brain barrier via transcytosis, ensuring the therapeutic agent reaches its destination more efficiently.
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
Targeted chemotherapy for brain tumors
Delivery of antibiotics for brain infections like Candida albicans
Enhanced delivery of MRI contrast agents for brain imaging
Drug delivery to lung, kidney, and liver tissues with high LDL receptor expression
Why it matters
The bigger picture
Delivering drugs effectively to specific parts of the body, especially the brain, is a major challenge in medicine. Many drugs cannot cross the blood-brain barrier, limiting treatments for brain cancers, infections, and neurological disorders. This patent offers a way to overcome these barriers, potentially making existing drugs more effective and less toxic by concentrating them where they are needed most. This targeted approach could improve patient outcomes and reduce side effects.
Filed
April 4, 2018
Market context
Who's building on this
Companies in this space
Eriochem USA LLC, the assigneeassigneeThe entity that owns the patent — usually the inventor's employer or a company.Read more →, is active in this space, focusing on pharmaceutical development. Many biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies are researching advanced drug delivery systems, particularly for overcoming the blood-brain barrier. Companies like BioNTech and Moderna, which utilize lipid nanoparticles for mRNA vaccines, also explore similar LNP technologies for therapeutic applications. Research institutions and startups in oncology and neurology are also actively pursuing targeted delivery methods.
Market impact
This patent contributes to the growing field of targeted drug delivery, which aims to improve drug efficacy and reduce systemic toxicity. If successfully commercialized, this technology could enable new treatments for difficult-to-treat conditions, particularly those affecting the brain, by allowing drugs to reach their targets more effectively. It could also open new avenues for diagnostic imaging agents. The market for advanced drug delivery systems is substantial, driven by the need for more precise and safer therapies across various disease areas.
Claim 1 — Plain English
What this patent covers
This patent details a method for improving how therapeutic agents reach specific cells or tissues in the body. It uses a lipid nanoparticle (a tiny fat-based sphere) that carries a drug or diagnostic agent inside (Claim 1). The key is that this nanoparticle has a human recombinant apolipoprotein (ApoE3) attached to its surface, but without Polysorbate 80 (Claim 1). This ApoE3 coating helps the nanoparticle get preferentially absorbed by tissues like the brain, lung, kidney, and liver that have many LDL receptors (Claim 1). For example, the patent explains how this system can deliver a chemotherapy drug specifically to brain cancer cells by helping it cross the blood-brain barrier (Claim 10), or even an antibiotic like Amphotericin B to treat brain infections (Claim 12).
The clever bit
The clever part is using ApoE3, a naturally occurring protein, to 'trick' cells and the blood-brain barrier into taking up drug-loaded nanoparticles. By adsorbing ApoE3 to the nanoparticle surface, the system either targets cells that overexpress LDL receptors or facilitates transport across the blood-brain barrier via transcytosis, ensuring the therapeutic agent reaches its destination more efficiently.
What it does not cover
- Does not cover lipid nanoparticles that use Polysorbate 80 in their surface coating, as the claims specifically exclude it (Claim 1).
- Does not cover drug delivery systems where the therapeutic agent is chemically attached (conjugated) to the nanoparticle (Claim 3).
- Does not cover drug delivery where the ApoE3 is not adsorbed to the surface of the nanoparticle, but perhaps integrated differently (Claim 1).
- Does not cover drug delivery to tissues that do not overexpress LDL receptors, unless the transport mechanism is explicitly through transcytosis independent of LDL receptor binding (Claim 1 and Claim 11).
- Does not cover nanoparticles that do not contain both a triglyceride and a cholesterol ester component in their lipid core (Claim 1).
Patent timeline
Application submitted to the patent office
Patent enters public domain
PatentBrief Score
Impact Score
Early stage
Citation count
10/40
Early citations
Claim breadth
17/20
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
$98K – $312K
Midpoint $195K · 11.6 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.
Claim text not yet imported for this patent
The original legal language
Original claims
26 claims as filed with the patent office.
Concepts involved
Citations
Patent lineage
Cite this patent
Nunez, J. L., SELENSCIG, D., & RAMIREZ, M. D. L. A. Targeting Drugs to Specific Body Tissues Using ApoE3-Coated Nanoparticles (U.S. Patent No. 20,190,307,892). U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/20190307892/targeted-drug-delivery-and-therapeutic-methods-using-apo-e-modified-lipid-nanopa
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 Targeting Drugs to Specific Body Tissues Using ApoE3-Coated Nanoparticles cover?
This patent describes a method to deliver drugs or diagnostic agents precisely to target cells or tissues, including the brain, by packaging them inside tiny fat particles (lipid nanoparticles) coated with a special protein called ApoE3.
Who owns patent US 20190307892?
This patent is owned by Eriochem Usa.
When does this patent expire?
This patent is expected to expire on April 4, 2038, when the invention enters the public domain.
What is patent US 20190307892 cited by?
This patent has been cited by 2 later patents that build on its ideas.
What problem does this patent solve?
Delivering drugs effectively to specific parts of the body, especially the brain, is a major challenge in medicine. Many drugs cannot cross the blood-brain barrier, limiting treatments for brain cancers, infections, and neurological disorders. This patent offers a way to overcome these barriers, potentially making existing drugs more effective and less toxic by concentrating them where they are needed most. This targeted approach could improve patient outcomes and reduce side effects.
What does this patent NOT cover?
Does not cover lipid nanoparticles that use Polysorbate 80 in their surface coating, as the claims specifically exclude it (Claim 1).
Patent monitoring