# How Genentech Created Antibodies to Stop Tumor Growth

> A 1997 patent describing a specific humanized antibody designed to block VEGF, a protein that helps tumors grow their own blood supply.

- **Patent:** US 6884879
- **Original title:** Anti-VEGF antibodies
- **Owner:** Genentech Inc
- **Granted:** 2005
- **Status:** Public domain (expired)
- **Times cited:** 308
- **Field:** biotech, pharmaceutical

## What it does

This patent describes the genetic blueprints for a specialized antibody that targets Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF). By binding to VEGF, the antibody prevents it from signaling endothelial cells to multiply, effectively starving tumors of the blood supply they need to expand. The patent specifically claims the DNA sequences required to produce these humanized antibodies, which are designed to be less likely to trigger an immune rejection in human patients compared to purely mouse-derived versions.

## What it does NOT cover

- Does not cover all possible anti-VEGF antibodies, only those containing the specific amino acid sequences defined in the claims.
- Does not cover methods of treating specific diseases, as the claims focus on the nucleic acids and the production process.
- Does not cover naturally occurring antibodies found in non-human animals.
- Does not cover generic antibody production techniques that do not utilize these specific sequences.

## The clever bit

The inventors successfully 'humanized' a mouse antibody by grafting its specific antigen-binding loops (CDRs) onto a human antibody framework, maintaining high binding affinity while minimizing the risk of the patient's immune system attacking the drug itself.

## Real-world examples

1. Avastin (bevacizumab)

## Why it matters

This patent is a cornerstone of modern anti-angiogenic therapy. It provided the intellectual property foundation for Avastin (bevacizumab), one of the most commercially successful and clinically significant cancer drugs in history. It changed how we treat metastatic cancers by shifting focus from killing tumor cells directly to cutting off their life support.

## Frequently asked questions

### What does How Genentech Created Antibodies to Stop Tumor Growth cover?

A 1997 patent describing a specific humanized antibody designed to block VEGF, a protein that helps tumors grow their own blood supply.

### Who owns patent US 6884879?

Genentech Inc owns this patent, granted in 2005.

### 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 6884879 cited by?

This patent has been cited by 308 later patents that build on its ideas.

### What problem does this patent solve?

This patent is a cornerstone of modern anti-angiogenic therapy. It provided the intellectual property foundation for Avastin (bevacizumab), one of the most commercially successful and clinically significant cancer drugs in history. It changed how we treat metastatic cancers by shifting focus from killing tumor cells directly to cutting off their life support.

### What does this patent NOT cover?

Does not cover all possible anti-VEGF antibodies, only those containing the specific amino acid sequences defined in the claims.

**Full plain-English explainer:** https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/6884879/anti-vegf-antibodies

**Original patent:** https://patents.google.com/patent/US6884879

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_Source: PatentBrief — https://patentbrief.org. Patent facts are from public records; the plain-English explanation is PatentBrief's._