Making Hybrid Antibodies from Different Animals
This patent describes how to create new, engineered antibodies by combining parts of antibodies from two different animal species, then growing them in a lab.
Original patent title: “Recombinant immunoglobin preparations”
This patent describes how to create new, engineered antibodies by combining parts of antibodies from two different animal species, then growing them in a lab. Granted to Genentech Inc in 1989 with 11 claims and 8,214 forward citations.
Key facts
Coverage
What does this patent actually cover?
This patent details a method for creating "chimeric immunoglobulins," which are special antibody parts made from genetic material of two different mammals. Specifically, it involves designing a DNA sequence where the "constant region" (the body of the antibody) matches one animal, and the "variable region" (the part that recognizes a target) matches a different animal (ClaimclaimA numbered sentence at the end of a patent that legally defines what the inventor owns. The most important section.Read more → 1a). This engineered DNA is then put into a "vector" (a delivery vehicle) and inserted into a "host cell" like bacteria or yeast (Claim 1b, 1c). These cells are grown in a lab, and they produce the desired chimeric antibody chains (Claim 1d, 1e). For example, a scientist could take the antigen-binding part of a mouse antibody that targets a specific cancer cell and combine it with the "body" part of a human antibody. This creates a new, hybrid antibody that can target the cancer but is less likely to be rejected by the human immune system.
The gap
What does this patent NOT cover?
- Does not cover antibodies made entirely from a single mammalian species.
- Does not cover antibodies where the constant and variable regions come from the same mammalian species.
- Does not cover methods of producing antibodies that do not involve recombinant cell culture.
- Does not cover antibodies that are not "chimeric" in the sense of combining parts from different mammalian species.
- Does not cover naturally occurring antibodies found in any single organism.
These exclusions are unique to PatentBrief — derived from the actual claim language, not patent-office boilerplate.
What made this novel
The key insight was realizing that you could mix and match the functional parts of antibodies from different species using recombinant DNA technology. This allowed researchers to harness the strong antigen-binding capabilities of animal antibodies while making the resulting therapeutic antibody more compatible with the human immune system.
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
Rituximab (Rituxan) - a chimeric antibody for lymphoma
Infliximab (Remicade) - a chimeric antibody for autoimmune diseases
Many early therapeutic monoclonal antibodies
Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) that use chimeric frameworks
Why it matters
The bigger picture
This patent was foundational for developing "humanized" antibodies, which are critical in modern medicine. Before this, many therapeutic antibodies came from mice, and human bodies often rejected them. By allowing scientists to combine a mouse's target-finding ability with a human antibody's "body," it paved the way for drugs that are more effective and safer for patients. This technology enabled the creation of a new class of biologic drugs, particularly for treating cancers and autoimmune diseases.
Filed
April 8, 1983
Granted
March 28, 1989
Market context
Who's building on this
Companies in this space
Genentech, the original assigneeassigneeThe entity that owns the patent — usually the inventor's employer or a company.Read more →, remains a major player in biotechnology, now part of Roche. Other pharmaceutical giants like Amgen, AbbVie, Johnson & Johnson, and countless biotech startups continue to develop and produce therapeutic antibodies, many of which build upon the foundational concept of engineering antibodies for improved efficacy and reduced immunogenicity.
Market impact
This patent laid crucial groundwork for the development of therapeutic monoclonal antibodies, transforming the treatment landscape for various diseases. It enabled the creation of "chimeric antibodies" which were a significant improvement over purely mouse-derived antibodies, leading to better patient outcomes and fewer side effects. This technology opened up a massive market for biologic drugs, leading to billions of dollars in sales and numerous follow-on patents for further antibody engineering, such as "humanized" and fully "human" antibodies.
Claim 1 — Plain English
What this patent covers
This patent details a method for creating "chimeric immunoglobulins," which are special antibody parts made from genetic material of two different mammals. Specifically, it involves designing a DNA sequence where the "constant region" (the body of the antibody) matches one animal, and the "variable region" (the part that recognizes a target) matches a different animal (Claim 1a). This engineered DNA is then put into a "vector" (a delivery vehicle) and inserted into a "host cell" like bacteria or yeast (Claim 1b, 1c). These cells are grown in a lab, and they produce the desired chimeric antibody chains (Claim 1d, 1e). For example, a scientist could take the antigen-binding part of a mouse antibody that targets a specific cancer cell and combine it with the "body" part of a human antibody. This creates a new, hybrid antibody that can target the cancer but is less likely to be rejected by the human immune system.
The clever bit
The key insight was realizing that you could mix and match the functional parts of antibodies from different species using recombinant DNA technology. This allowed researchers to harness the strong antigen-binding capabilities of animal antibodies while making the resulting therapeutic antibody more compatible with the human immune system.
What it does not cover
- Does not cover antibodies made entirely from a single mammalian species.
- Does not cover antibodies where the constant and variable regions come from the same mammalian species.
- Does not cover methods of producing antibodies that do not involve recombinant cell culture.
- Does not cover antibodies that are not "chimeric" in the sense of combining parts from different mammalian species.
- Does not cover naturally occurring antibodies found in any single organism.
Patent timeline
Application submitted to the patent office
Application published, typically 18 months after filing
Patent officially issued
PatentBrief Score
Impact Score
Strong
Citation count
40/40
Highly cited
Claim breadth
7/20
Moderate scope
Recency
0/20
Older than 20 years
Assignee scale
20/20
Major company or institution
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
$135K – $432K
Midpoint $270K · expired or expiring · 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
11 claims as filed with the patent office.
Concepts involved
Citations
Patent lineage
Cite this patent
Wetzel, R. B., Riggs, A. D., Cabilly, S., Heyneker, H. L., & Holmes, W. E. (1989). Making Hybrid Antibodies from Different Animals (U.S. Patent No. 4,816,567). U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/4816567/recombinant-antibody-production-in-cho-cells
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 Making Hybrid Antibodies from Different Animals cover?
This patent describes how to create new, engineered antibodies by combining parts of antibodies from two different animal species, then growing them in a lab.
Who owns patent US 4816567?
Genentech Inc owns this patent, granted in 1989.
When does this patent expire?
This patent has expired and is now in the public domain — anyone can use the invention freely.
What is patent US 4816567 cited by?
This patent has been cited by 8214 later patents that build on its ideas.
What problem does this patent solve?
This patent was foundational for developing "humanized" antibodies, which are critical in modern medicine. Before this, many therapeutic antibodies came from mice, and human bodies often rejected them. By allowing scientists to combine a mouse's target-finding ability with a human antibody's "body," it paved the way for drugs that are more effective and safer for patients. This technology enabled the creation of a new class of biologic drugs, particularly for treating cancers and autoimmune diseases.
What does this patent NOT cover?
Does not cover antibodies made entirely from a single mammalian species.
Same assignee
More from Genentech Inc
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