# 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. - **Patent:** US 20190307892 - **Original title:** Targeted drug delivery and therapeutic methods using apo-e modified lipid nanoparticles - **Owner:** Eriochem Usa - **Status:** Active - **Times cited:** 2 - **Field:** pharmaceutical, biotech, nanotechnology, medicine, drug_delivery ## What it does 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). ## 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). ## 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. ## Real-world examples 1. Targeted chemotherapy for brain tumors 2. Delivery of antibiotics for brain infections like Candida albicans 3. Enhanced delivery of MRI contrast agents for brain imaging 4. Drug delivery to lung, kidney, and liver tissues with high LDL receptor expression ## Why it matters 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. ## 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). **Full plain-English explainer:** https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/20190307892/targeted-drug-delivery-and-therapeutic-methods-using-apo-e-modified-lipid-nanopa **Original patent:** https://patents.google.com/patent/US20190307892 --- _Source: PatentBrief — https://patentbrief.org. Patent facts are from public records; the plain-English explanation is PatentBrief's._ ## Related patents Semantically similar inventions in the PatentBrief corpus: - [How Special Nanoparticles Deliver Cancer Drugs Directly to Tumors](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/20190046446/apo-e-modified-lipid-nanoparticles-for-drug-delivery-to-targeted-tissues-and-the) — This patent describes tiny fat-based particles, called lipid nanoparticles, designed to carry cancer drugs directly to tumor cells using a special protein (ApoE3) on their surface, avoiding a common, potentially problematic ingredient. - [Tiny Lipid Balls for Precise, Better-Absorbed Cannabinoid Medicine](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/20220304938/lipid-nanoparticle-compositions-and-methods-as-carriers-of-cannabinoids-in-stand) — This patent describes a drug delivery system using tiny lipid nanoparticles to encapsulate cannabinoids, making them easier for the body to absorb and allowing for precise, smaller doses. - [How to Build Tiny Lipid Capsules to Deliver Genetic Medicines](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/10155945/method-of-producing-lipid-nanoparticles-for-drug-delivery) — A precise method for creating small, stable lipid bubbles that safely carry genetic material like siRNA into cells for medical treatment. - [How Tiny Particles Make CBD Easier to Absorb](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/11260033/compositions-for-the-delivery-of-therapeutic-agents-and-methods-of-use-and-makin) — This patent describes a special mix of ingredients that creates tiny, stable CBD particles, making it easier for the body to absorb the compound and improving how long it lasts in the body. - [New Nanoparticles for Delivering Large RNA Medicines to Cells](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/12419940/compositions-and-methods-for-modified-dendrimer-nanoparticle-delivery) — This patent describes a specific type of modified dendrimer nanoparticle designed to efficiently deliver large RNA molecules, like replicating RNA, into cells for therapeutic, prophylactic, or diagnostic purposes, notably without using cholesterol.