# How Ibrutinib-like Molecules Block Cancer-Causing Proteins

> A chemical design for molecules that permanently latch onto and disable a specific protein called Btk, which is often responsible for the growth of certain blood cancers.

- **Patent:** US 8957079
- **Original title:** Inhibitors of Bruton's tyrosine kinase
- **Owner:** Pharmacyclics LLC
- **Granted:** 2015
- **Status:** Active
- **Times cited:** 33
- **Field:** biotech, pharmaceutical

## What it does

This patent describes a class of chemical compounds designed to bind irreversibly to a protein known as Bruton's tyrosine kinase (Btk). By using a specific chemical component called a Michael acceptor, these molecules form a permanent covalent bond with the Btk protein, effectively shutting it down. This prevents the protein from signaling cancer cells to survive and multiply. For example, in patients with B-cell lymphomas, this mechanism stops the rogue cells from receiving the instructions they need to keep growing.

## What it does NOT cover

- Does not cover the Btk protein itself, but rather specific synthetic chemical structures that target it.
- Does not cover reversible inhibitors that bind and release from the protein.
- Does not cover non-Michael acceptor based inhibitors that lack the specific covalent binding mechanism described.
- Does not cover general methods for treating cancer that do not utilize the specific chemical structures defined in the claims.

## The clever bit

The innovation lies in the use of a Michael acceptor to create a permanent covalent bond with a specific cysteine residue on the Btk protein, ensuring the inhibitor stays attached and keeps the protein disabled indefinitely.

## Real-world examples

1. Ibrutinib (Imbruvica)
2. Targeted B-cell lymphoma therapies

## Why it matters

This patent is foundational to the development of targeted cancer therapies like Ibrutinib, which transformed the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia. By creating a 'covalent' inhibitor, the inventors moved away from traditional chemotherapy, which kills all fast-growing cells, toward a precision medicine approach that targets a specific protein driver of disease. This shift has significantly improved survival rates and quality of life for patients with specific blood cancers.

## Frequently asked questions

### What does How Ibrutinib-like Molecules Block Cancer-Causing Proteins cover?

A chemical design for molecules that permanently latch onto and disable a specific protein called Btk, which is often responsible for the growth of certain blood cancers.

### Who owns patent US 8957079?

Pharmacyclics LLC owns this patent, granted in 2015.

### When does this patent expire?

This patent is expected to expire on February 17, 2035, when the invention enters the public domain.

### What is patent US 8957079 cited by?

This patent has been cited by 33 later patents that build on its ideas.

### What problem does this patent solve?

This patent is foundational to the development of targeted cancer therapies like Ibrutinib, which transformed the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia. By creating a 'covalent' inhibitor, the inventors moved away from traditional chemotherapy, which kills all fast-growing cells, toward a precision medicine approach that targets a specific protein driver of disease. This shift has significantly improved survival rates and quality of life for patients with specific blood cancers.

### What does this patent NOT cover?

Does not cover the Btk protein itself, but rather specific synthetic chemical structures that target it.

**Full plain-English explainer:** https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/8957079/pomalyst-pomalidomide

**Original patent:** https://patents.google.com/patent/US8957079

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