How to Create Lab-Made Proteins That Stop Immune System Overreaction
A method for creating custom proteins that act as 'brakes' for the body's immune system to prevent damage from excessive inflammation.
Original patent title: “Soluble complement regulatory molecules”
A method for creating custom proteins that act as 'brakes' for the body's immune system to prevent damage from excessive inflammation. Granted to Johns Hopkins University in 2002 with 35 claims and 27 forward citations.
Key facts
Coverage
What does this patent actually cover?
This patent describes a way to build a custom, soluble protein that can float through the bloodstream and block the complement system. The complement system is a part of the immune system that normally kills bacteria, but it can sometimes go haywire and attack healthy tissue, causing severe inflammation. The invention works by taking specific fragments of natural proteins—called short consensus repeats (SCRs)—that act like magnets for harmful immune signals. These fragments are then attached to a carrier molecule, such as an antibody or serum albumin, which helps the construct stay stable in the blood long enough to neutralize the threat.
The gap
What does this patent NOT cover?
- Does not cover naturally occurring complement regulatory proteins found in the body.
- Does not cover constructs that lack a soluble, physiologically-acceptable carrier molecule.
- Does not cover molecules that contain only a single binding site, as the claimsclaimsThe numbered statements at the end of a patent that legally define what the inventor owns.Read more → require at least two.
- Does not cover non-protein based inhibitors or chemical small-molecule drugs.
These exclusions are unique to PatentBrief — derived from the actual claim language, not patent-office boilerplate.
What made this novel
The invention uses a modular design, fusing natural complement-binding fragments to a separate carrier molecule to increase stability and ensure the molecule has multiple binding sites, which is essential for effectively neutralizing the target.
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
Therapeutics for paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH)
Treatments for atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS)
Experimental therapies for preventing organ transplant rejection
Why it matters
The bigger picture
The complement system is implicated in a wide range of autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, including organ transplant rejection and certain blood disorders. By creating a stable, soluble inhibitor, this technology provides a blueprint for therapeutic drugs that can 'turn off' the immune system's attack mode in a controlled way. It represents a foundational approach in the development of biologic drugs designed to modulate the immune response.
Filed
April 4, 1991
Granted
October 1, 2002
Market context
Who's building on this
Companies in this space
Major biopharmaceutical companies like Alexion Pharmaceuticals (now part of AstraZeneca) have built significant drug portfolios around complement inhibition. The research foundational to this patent continues to influence the development of next-generation biologics targeting the C3 and C5 pathways.
Market impact
This patent helped define the structural requirements for effective complement inhibitors, contributing to the emergence of the complement-targeting drug class. It provided a framework that enabled the development of high-value biologics that have transformed the treatment of rare, life-threatening inflammatory diseases.
Claim 1 — Plain English
What this patent covers
This patent describes a way to build a custom, soluble protein that can float through the bloodstream and block the complement system. The complement system is a part of the immune system that normally kills bacteria, but it can sometimes go haywire and attack healthy tissue, causing severe inflammation. The invention works by taking specific fragments of natural proteins—called short consensus repeats (SCRs)—that act like magnets for harmful immune signals. These fragments are then attached to a carrier molecule, such as an antibody or serum albumin, which helps the construct stay stable in the blood long enough to neutralize the threat.
The clever bit
The invention uses a modular design, fusing natural complement-binding fragments to a separate carrier molecule to increase stability and ensure the molecule has multiple binding sites, which is essential for effectively neutralizing the target.
What it does not cover
- Does not cover naturally occurring complement regulatory proteins found in the body.
- Does not cover constructs that lack a soluble, physiologically-acceptable carrier molecule.
- Does not cover molecules that contain only a single binding site, as the claims require at least two.
- Does not cover non-protein based inhibitors or chemical small-molecule drugs.
Patent timeline
Application submitted to the patent office
Application published, typically 18 months after filing
Patent officially issued
PatentBrief Score
Impact Score
Moderate
Citation count
29/40
Moderately 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
$81K – $259K
Midpoint $162K · 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
35 claims as filed with the patent office.
Concepts involved
Citations
Patent lineage
Cite this patent
Fearon, D. T., & Hebell, T. (2002). How to Create Lab-Made Proteins That Stop Immune System Overreaction (U.S. Patent No. 6,458,360). U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/6458360/hpv-vaccine-gardasil
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 to Create Lab-Made Proteins That Stop Immune System Overreaction cover?
A method for creating custom proteins that act as 'brakes' for the body's immune system to prevent damage from excessive inflammation.
Who owns patent US 6458360?
Johns Hopkins University owns this patent, granted in 2002.
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 6458360 cited by?
This patent has been cited by 27 later patents that build on its ideas.
What problem does this patent solve?
The complement system is implicated in a wide range of autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, including organ transplant rejection and certain blood disorders. By creating a stable, soluble inhibitor, this technology provides a blueprint for therapeutic drugs that can 'turn off' the immune system's attack mode in a controlled way. It represents a foundational approach in the development of biologic drugs designed to modulate the immune response.
What does this patent NOT cover?
Does not cover naturally occurring complement regulatory proteins found in the body.
Same assignee
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