{
  "patent_number": "US 8372398",
  "country": "US",
  "title": "How Specialized Nanobodies Block Blood Clotting Proteins",
  "original_title": "Single domain VHH antibodies against Von Willebrand Factor",
  "summary": "A patent describing specific, tiny antibody fragments designed to bind to and inhibit Von Willebrand Factor, a protein that triggers blood clotting.",
  "what_it_does": "This patent claims specific protein sequences known as Nanobodies that target Von Willebrand Factor (vWF). vWF is a protein in the blood that acts like glue, helping platelets stick together to form clots. By binding to vWF using specific amino acid sequences in their 'complementarity determining regions' (the parts of the antibody that actually grab the target), these Nanobodies prevent the protein from functioning. This effectively stops the blood from clotting in situations where it might be dangerous, such as in certain cardiovascular diseases.",
  "what_it_does_not_cover": [
    "Does not cover general-purpose antibodies derived from traditional, large-format immune systems.",
    "Does not cover Nanobodies that target proteins other than Von Willebrand Factor.",
    "Does not cover amino acid sequences outside of the specific CDR combinations defined in the claims.",
    "Does not cover methods of manufacturing Nanobodies that do not involve the specific sequences listed."
  ],
  "filed": "2010-06-24",
  "granted": "2013-02-12",
  "expires": null,
  "status": "active",
  "holder": "Ablynx NV",
  "holder_url": "https://patentbrief.org/company/ablynx-nv",
  "inventors": [
    {
      "name": "Karen Silence",
      "url": "https://patentbrief.org/inventor/karen-silence"
    }
  ],
  "times_cited": 9,
  "tags": [
    "biotech",
    "pharmaceutical"
  ],
  "abstract": "The present invention relates to improved Nanobodies™ against von Willebrand Factor (vWF), as well as to polypeptides comprising or essentially consisting of one or more of such Nanobodies. The invention also relates to nucleic acids encoding such Nanobodies and polypeptides; to methods for preparing such Nanobodies and polypeptides; to host cells expressing or capable of expressing such Nanobodies or polypeptides; to compositions comprising such Nanobodies, polypeptides, nucleic acids or host cells; and to uses of such Nanobodies, such polypeptides, such nucleic acids, such host cells or such compositions, in particular for prophylactic, therapeutic or diagnostic purposes, such as the prophylactic, therapeutic or diagnostic purposes.",
  "url": "https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/8372398/subcutaneous-herceptin",
  "markdown_url": "https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/8372398/subcutaneous-herceptin/md",
  "google_patents_url": "https://patents.google.com/patent/US8372398",
  "relatedPatents": []
}