How Genentech Created Antibodies to Target Prostate Cancer Cells
A patent describing specific antibodies that latch onto and kill cancer cells expressing the PSCA protein, effectively turning the body's immune-targeting tools into cancer-fighting weapons.
Original patent title: “Anti-tumor antibody compositions and methods of use”
A patent describing specific antibodies that latch onto and kill cancer cells expressing the PSCA protein, effectively turning the body's immune-targeting tools into cancer-fighting weapons. Granted to Genentech Inc in 2004 with 11 claims and 136 forward citations.
Key facts
Coverage
What does this patent actually cover?
This patent covers specific monoclonal antibodies designed to bind to a protein called PSCA, which is found on the surface of certain cancer cells, particularly in the prostate. When these antibodies attach to the PSCA protein, they are internalized by the cell, meaning the cell pulls the antibody inside itself. This mechanism is crucial because it allows the antibody to deliver a toxic payload directly into the cancer cell. The patent specifically claimsclaimsThe numbered statements at the end of a patent that legally define what the inventor owns.Read more → antibodies produced by six distinct hybridoma cell lines, which are laboratory-grown cells used to mass-produce these precise antibodies.
The gap
What does this patent NOT cover?
- Does not cover antibodies that bind to proteins other than PSCA.
- Does not cover antibodies that do not internalize into the cell upon binding.
- Does not cover general methods of cancer treatment that do not use these specific hybridoma-derived antibodies.
- Does not cover the PSCA protein itself, only the antibodies that target it.
These exclusions are unique to PatentBrief — derived from the actual claim language, not patent-office boilerplate.
What made this novel
The innovation lies in the discovery that these specific antibodies act like a Trojan horse, forcing the cancer cell to ingest the antibody-drug complex, which then triggers the cell's destruction from the inside.
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 prostate cancer immunotherapy research
Antibody-drug conjugate development pipelines
Oncology clinical trials focusing on PSCA expression
Why it matters
The bigger picture
This patent represents a foundational step in the development of antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs). By identifying a way to force cancer cells to internalize a therapeutic agent, Genentech helped pave the way for targeted cancer therapies that minimize damage to healthy tissue compared to traditional chemotherapy.
Filed
October 27, 2000
Granted
November 30, 2004
Market context
Who's building on this
Companies in this space
Genentech, now a member of the Roche Group, continues to lead in the development of monoclonal antibodies. Many other biotech firms and academic researchers use these specific hybridoma lines as benchmarks for developing new targeted therapies for prostate and bladder cancers.
Market impact
This patent helped solidify the commercial viability of antibody-based targeting for solid tumors. It provided a clear intellectual property framework for developing drugs that specifically seek out PSCA-positive cells, influencing the design of subsequent generations of targeted oncology treatments.
Claim 1 — Plain English
What this patent covers
This patent covers specific monoclonal antibodies designed to bind to a protein called PSCA, which is found on the surface of certain cancer cells, particularly in the prostate. When these antibodies attach to the PSCA protein, they are internalized by the cell, meaning the cell pulls the antibody inside itself. This mechanism is crucial because it allows the antibody to deliver a toxic payload directly into the cancer cell. The patent specifically claims antibodies produced by six distinct hybridoma cell lines, which are laboratory-grown cells used to mass-produce these precise antibodies.
The clever bit
The innovation lies in the discovery that these specific antibodies act like a Trojan horse, forcing the cancer cell to ingest the antibody-drug complex, which then triggers the cell's destruction from the inside.
What it does not cover
- Does not cover antibodies that bind to proteins other than PSCA.
- Does not cover antibodies that do not internalize into the cell upon binding.
- Does not cover general methods of cancer treatment that do not use these specific hybridoma-derived antibodies.
- Does not cover the PSCA protein itself, only the antibodies that target it.
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
Lasky, L. A., Keller, G., Devaux, B., & Koeppen, H. (2004). How Genentech Created Antibodies to Target Prostate Cancer Cells (U.S. Patent No. 6,824,780). U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/6824780/avastin-dosing
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 Genentech Created Antibodies to Target Prostate Cancer Cells cover?
A patent describing specific antibodies that latch onto and kill cancer cells expressing the PSCA protein, effectively turning the body's immune-targeting tools into cancer-fighting weapons.
Who owns patent US 6824780?
Genentech Inc owns this patent, granted in 2004.
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 6824780 cited by?
This patent has been cited by 136 later patents that build on its ideas.
What problem does this patent solve?
This patent represents a foundational step in the development of antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs). By identifying a way to force cancer cells to internalize a therapeutic agent, Genentech helped pave the way for targeted cancer therapies that minimize damage to healthy tissue compared to traditional chemotherapy.
What does this patent NOT cover?
Does not cover antibodies that bind to proteins other than PSCA.
Same assignee
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