Using Antibodies to Block HER3 Proteins in Cancer Cells
A patent describing specific antibodies that bind to and block the HER3 protein, which is often used by cancer cells to grow and survive.
Original patent title: “Inhibitors of her3 activity”
A patent describing specific antibodies that bind to and block the HER3 protein, which is often used by cancer cells to grow and survive. Granted to Max Planck Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der Wissenschaften eV in 2015 with 15 claims and 5 forward citations.
Key facts
Coverage
What does this patent actually cover?
This patent identifies specific antibodies, named 1B4C3 and 2D1D12, that target the HER3 protein. HER3 is a receptor on the surface of cells that, when activated, sends signals that can cause cells to multiply uncontrollably. By binding to HER3, these antibodies prevent the protein from sending those growth signals. The patent claimsclaimsThe numbered statements at the end of a patent that legally define what the inventor owns.Read more → the use of these antibodies as a pharmaceutical composition to treat hyperproliferative diseases, such as tumors, often in combination with other cancer-fighting drugs.
The gap
What does this patent NOT cover?
- Does not cover general methods of inhibiting HER3 that do not use the specific 1B4C3 or 2D1D12 antibodies.
- Does not cover antibodies that lack the specific six CDR sequences defined for 1B4C3.
- Does not cover the use of small-molecule drugs that inhibit HER3 activity through mechanisms other than antibody binding.
- Does not cover treatments for diseases that are not related to hyperproliferative cell growth.
These exclusions are unique to PatentBrief — derived from the actual claim language, not patent-office boilerplate.
What made this novel
The patent specifically highlights antibodies that bind to glycosylated HER3, which is the form typically found on the surface of living cancer cells, ensuring the treatment is effective in a biological environment.
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 antibody therapies for breast and lung cancers
Experimental cancer treatments focusing on HER3 signaling pathways
Why it matters
The bigger picture
HER3 is a well-known target in oncology because many cancers rely on it to resist standard therapies. This patent provides a specific molecular tool to neutralize this protein, offering a potential path for targeted cancer therapy. It represents the work of Axel Ullrich, a prominent researcher in the field of receptor tyrosine kinases.
Filed
August 9, 2002
Granted
April 21, 2015
Market context
Who's building on this
Companies in this space
The technology is associated with the Max Planck Society, a major research organization. Various pharmaceutical companies and biotech firms focused on oncology continue to develop HER3-targeted therapies, often building upon the foundational understanding of how these receptors drive tumor growth.
Market impact
This patent contributes to the intellectual property landscape surrounding targeted cancer therapies. It helps define the scope of proprietary antibodies that can be used in clinical trials, influencing how pharmaceutical companies approach the development of combination therapies for resistant tumors.
Claim 1 — Plain English
What this patent covers
This patent identifies specific antibodies, named 1B4C3 and 2D1D12, that target the HER3 protein. HER3 is a receptor on the surface of cells that, when activated, sends signals that can cause cells to multiply uncontrollably. By binding to HER3, these antibodies prevent the protein from sending those growth signals. The patent claims the use of these antibodies as a pharmaceutical composition to treat hyperproliferative diseases, such as tumors, often in combination with other cancer-fighting drugs.
The clever bit
The patent specifically highlights antibodies that bind to glycosylated HER3, which is the form typically found on the surface of living cancer cells, ensuring the treatment is effective in a biological environment.
What it does not cover
- Does not cover general methods of inhibiting HER3 that do not use the specific 1B4C3 or 2D1D12 antibodies.
- Does not cover antibodies that lack the specific six CDR sequences defined for 1B4C3.
- Does not cover the use of small-molecule drugs that inhibit HER3 activity through mechanisms other than antibody binding.
- Does not cover treatments for diseases that are not related to hyperproliferative cell growth.
Patent timeline
Application submitted to the patent office
Application published, typically 18 months after filing
Patent officially issued
PatentBrief Score
Impact Score
Moderate
Citation count
16/40
Early citations
Claim breadth
10/20
Broad claimsclaimsThe numbered statements at the end of a patent that legally define what the inventor owns.Read more →
Recency
5/20
Granted 10–20 years ago
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
$14K – $43K
Midpoint $27K · 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
15 claims as filed with the patent office.
Concepts involved
Citations
Patent lineage
Cite this patent
Ullrich, A., & Horst, E. H. D. (2015). Using Antibodies to Block HER3 Proteins in Cancer Cells (U.S. Patent No. 9,011,851). U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/9011851/perjeta-pertuzumab
Auto-generated from the patent record. Double-check author order and the issue date against the official USPTO document before submitting.
Embed
Add this patent to your site
Drop this plain-English patent card into any blog post or article — free, no signup. It always links back to the full breakdown here.
<div data-patentlens-widget data-patent-number="US9011851"></div> <script src="https://patentbrief.org/embed.js" async></script>
Stay in the loop
Get a weekly digest of new patents.
One email per week. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Keep exploring
Related patents you should know
US 4683195 · 1987
How to Make Billions of Copies of a DNA Segment
This patent describes the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), a method to rapidly create many copies of a specific piece of DNA or RNA, enabling its detection and analysis.
Cetus Corp
US 8697359 · 2014
How to Edit Genes in Human Cells Using an Engineered CRISPR System
This patent describes an engineered CRISPR-Cas9 system for precisely cutting DNA in eukaryotic cells to change how genes work, opening the door for gene editing in complex organisms.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
US 7657849 · 2010
How the iPhone's Slide-to-Unlock Gesture Works
Apple's 2010 patent describes unlocking a device by dragging a specific graphical image across the touchscreen along a predefined path, a gesture that became iconic with the original iPhone.
Apple Inc
US 4733665 · 1988
How Doctors Implant a Permanent Stent Using a Balloon
This patent describes the method for placing a permanent, expandable wire mesh tube inside a blood vessel or other body tube using a balloon-tipped catheter to widen it and keep it open.
Expandable Grafts Partnership
US 4965188 · 1990
How to Make Many Copies of a DNA Piece with Heat
This patent describes the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) method, a technique to make millions of copies of a specific DNA segment using a heat-resistant enzyme and repeated temperature changes.
Cetus Corp
US 4235871 · 1980
How to Encapsulate Active Materials in Lipid Bubbles Efficiently
This patent describes a method for trapping biologically active substances inside tiny, multi-layered fat bubbles called liposomes, using a specific water-in-oil emulsion and gel-forming process to improve how much material gets captured.
Individual
More to explore
More in Biotech & Medicine
US 4683195 · 1987 · Cetus Corp
How to Make Billions of Copies of a DNA Segment
US 8697359 · 2014 · Massachusetts Institute of Technology
How to Edit Genes in Human Cells Using an Engineered CRISPR System
US 4733665 · 1988 · Expandable Grafts Partnership
How Doctors Implant a Permanent Stent Using a Balloon
US 4965188 · 1990 · Cetus Corp
How to Make Many Copies of a DNA Piece with Heat
New to patents?
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Using Antibodies to Block HER3 Proteins in Cancer Cells cover?
A patent describing specific antibodies that bind to and block the HER3 protein, which is often used by cancer cells to grow and survive.
Who owns patent US 9011851?
Max Planck Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der Wissenschaften eV owns this patent, granted in 2015.
When does this patent expire?
This patent is expected to expire on April 21, 2035, when the invention enters the public domain.
What is patent US 9011851 cited by?
This patent has been cited by 5 later patents that build on its ideas.
What problem does this patent solve?
HER3 is a well-known target in oncology because many cancers rely on it to resist standard therapies. This patent provides a specific molecular tool to neutralize this protein, offering a potential path for targeted cancer therapy. It represents the work of Axel Ullrich, a prominent researcher in the field of receptor tyrosine kinases.
What does this patent NOT cover?
Does not cover general methods of inhibiting HER3 that do not use the specific 1B4C3 or 2D1D12 antibodies.
Patent monitoring