# How Genentech's Antibodies Stop Tumor Blood Vessel Growth

> A Genentech patent for specific lab-made antibodies that block a protein called VEGF, effectively starving tumors of the blood supply they need to grow.

- **Patent:** US 7297334
- **Original title:** Anti-vegf antibodies
- **Owner:** Genentech Inc
- **Granted:** 2007
- **Status:** Public domain (expired)
- **Times cited:** 54
- **Field:** biotech, pharmaceutical

## What it does

This patent describes a method for stopping angiogenesis, which is the process of creating new blood vessels. Tumors often use a protein called VEGF to signal the body to grow new vessels to feed them. The patent claims a specific humanized antibody designed to bind to VEGF with high affinity, effectively neutralizing it. By blocking this signal, the antibody prevents the proliferation of endothelial cells, which are the cells that line blood vessels, thereby inhibiting tumor growth.

## What it does NOT cover

- Does not cover antibodies that bind to VEGF with a lower affinity than 1x10^-8 M.
- Does not cover antibodies that lack the specific amino acid sequences defined in the CDR regions.
- Does not cover non-humanized antibodies or other types of VEGF inhibitors like small molecule drugs.
- Does not cover general methods of cancer treatment that do not specifically target the VEGF pathway.

## The clever bit

The innovation lies in the specific humanization of the antibody sequences, which allows the drug to be effective in humans without triggering a massive immune rejection response, while maintaining high binding affinity to the target protein.

## Real-world examples

1. Avastin (bevacizumab)
2. Lucentis (ranibizumab)

## Why it matters

This technology is fundamental to modern oncology and ophthalmology. It provided the intellectual property foundation for Avastin (bevacizumab), a blockbuster drug used to treat various cancers and eye conditions like macular degeneration. It represents a shift toward targeted biological therapies rather than broad-spectrum chemotherapy.

## Frequently asked questions

### What does How Genentech's Antibodies Stop Tumor Blood Vessel Growth cover?

A Genentech patent for specific lab-made antibodies that block a protein called VEGF, effectively starving tumors of the blood supply they need to grow.

### Who owns patent US 7297334?

Genentech Inc owns this patent, granted in 2007.

### When does this patent expire?

This patent is expected to expire on November 20, 2027, when the invention enters the public domain.

### What is patent US 7297334 cited by?

This patent has been cited by 54 later patents that build on its ideas.

### What problem does this patent solve?

This technology is fundamental to modern oncology and ophthalmology. It provided the intellectual property foundation for Avastin (bevacizumab), a blockbuster drug used to treat various cancers and eye conditions like macular degeneration. It represents a shift toward targeted biological therapies rather than broad-spectrum chemotherapy.

### What does this patent NOT cover?

Does not cover antibodies that bind to VEGF with a lower affinity than 1x10^-8 M.

**Full plain-English explainer:** https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/7297334/anti-cd20-antibody-therapy

**Original patent:** https://patents.google.com/patent/US7297334

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