How Genetically Modified T-Cells Fight CD19 Cancers
This patent describes how to create and use genetically modified human T cells that target and kill cancer cells expressing the CD19 protein, offering a new way to treat blood cancers.
Original patent title: “Compositions and methods for treatment of cancer”
This patent describes how to create and use genetically modified human T cells that target and kill cancer cells expressing the CD19 protein, offering a new way to treat blood cancers. Granted to University of Pennsylvania Penn in 2016 with 38 claims and 37 forward citations, and it is expected to expire in 2035.
Coverage
What does this patent actually cover?
This patent describes a specialized human cell, often a T cell, that has been genetically engineered to fight cancer. The cell contains a 'lentiviral vector' carrying instructions for a 'chimeric antigen receptor' (CAR). This CAR is designed with a 'CD19 antigen binding domain' (specifically, the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 20) to recognize a protein called CD19 found on certain cancer cells. It also includes a 'transmembrane domain' to anchor it, a 'costimulatory signaling region' with 4-1BB to boost the T cell's activity, and a 'CD3 zeta signaling domain' to trigger the cell to kill the cancer. For example, a patient with leukemia could have their own T cells modified with this CAR and then re-infused to target and destroy their CD19-expressing cancer cells.
The gap
What does this patent NOT cover?
- Does not cover CAR T-cells that target other cancer-specific proteins besides CD19.
- Does not cover CAR T-cells that use different costimulatory signaling regions than 4-1BB.
- Does not cover CARs that lack a CD3 zeta signaling domain.
- Does not cover gene delivery methods other than lentiviral vectors.
- Does not cover treating solid tumors, as the claimsclaimsThe numbered statements at the end of a patent that legally define what the inventor owns.Read more → focus on CD19-expressing cells and hematological cancers.
- Does not cover cells that are not derived from a human having cancer for treatment purposes.
These exclusions are unique to PatentBrief — derived from the actual claim language, not patent-office boilerplate.
Key facts
What made this novel
The noveltynoveltyThe requirement that an invention be different from anything publicly known before its priority date.Read more → lies in the specific combination of genetic elements within the CAR, particularly the CD19 binding domain (SEQ ID NO: 20) paired with the 4-1BB costimulatory signaling region and the CD3 zeta signaling domain. This precise arrangement allows the modified T cells to not only recognize and bind to cancer cells but also to become fully activated and sustained in their attack.
The Patent Drawing
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
Kymriah (tisagenlecleucel) for B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma
Yescarta (axicabtagene ciloleucel) for large B-cell lymphoma
Tecartus (brexucabtagene autoleucel) for mantle cell lymphoma
Breyanzi (lisocabtagene maraleucel) for large B-cell lymphoma
Abecma (idecabtagene vicleucel) for multiple myeloma
Why it matters
The bigger picture
This patent is foundational to the field of CAR T-cell therapy, a revolutionary approach to treating certain cancers. It specifically details the design of a CAR targeting CD19, a key marker on many blood cancers like leukemia and lymphoma. This technology has led to the development of highly effective treatments for patients who have exhausted other options, transforming the outlook for some hematological malignancies.
Filed
December 30, 2015
Granted
November 1, 2016
Market context
Who's building on this
Companies in this space
The University of Pennsylvania, the assigneeassigneeThe entity that owns the patent — usually the inventor's employer or a company.Read more →, has been a pioneer in CAR T-cell research, collaborating with companies like Novartis to bring the first CAR T-cell therapy, Kymriah, to market. Other major pharmaceutical and biotech companies, including Gilead Sciences (Kite Pharma), Bristol Myers Squibb, and Johnson & Johnson, are actively developing and commercializing their own CAR T-cell therapies, building on similar principles to target various blood cancers.
Market impact
This patent contributed to the creation of an entirely new class of cancer treatments: CAR T-cell therapies. Its underlying technology, particularly the CD19-targeting CAR, enabled the development of therapies that have achieved unprecedented remission rates in certain aggressive blood cancers. This innovation spurred massive investment in cell and gene therapy, leading to a competitive market for these highly specialized, personalized medicines and offering hope for patients with previously untreatable conditions.
Claim 1 — Plain English
What this patent covers
This patent describes a specialized human cell, often a T cell, that has been genetically engineered to fight cancer. The cell contains a 'lentiviral vector' carrying instructions for a 'chimeric antigen receptor' (CAR). This CAR is designed with a 'CD19 antigen binding domain' (specifically, the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 20) to recognize a protein called CD19 found on certain cancer cells. It also includes a 'transmembrane domain' to anchor it, a 'costimulatory signaling region' with 4-1BB to boost the T cell's activity, and a 'CD3 zeta signaling domain' to trigger the cell to kill the cancer. For example, a patient with leukemia could have their own T cells modified with this CAR and then re-infused to target and destroy their CD19-expressing cancer cells.
The clever bit
The novelty lies in the specific combination of genetic elements within the CAR, particularly the CD19 binding domain (SEQ ID NO: 20) paired with the 4-1BB costimulatory signaling region and the CD3 zeta signaling domain. This precise arrangement allows the modified T cells to not only recognize and bind to cancer cells but also to become fully activated and sustained in their attack.
What it does not cover
- Does not cover CAR T-cells that target other cancer-specific proteins besides CD19.
- Does not cover CAR T-cells that use different costimulatory signaling regions than 4-1BB.
- Does not cover CARs that lack a CD3 zeta signaling domain.
- Does not cover gene delivery methods other than lentiviral vectors.
- Does not cover treating solid tumors, as the claims focus on CD19-expressing cells and hematological cancers.
- Does not cover cells that are not derived from a human having cancer for treatment purposes.
Patent timeline
Application submitted to the patent office
Application published, typically 18 months after filing
Patent officially issued
Patent enters public domain
PatentBrief Score
Impact Score
High impact
Citation count
32/40
Moderately cited
Claim breadth
20/20
Very broad protection
Recency
10/20
Granted 5–10 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
$540K – $1.7M
Midpoint $1.1M · 9.5 yr remaining · 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.
Claim text not yet imported for this patent
The original legal language
Original claims
38 claims as filed with the patent office.
Concepts involved
Citations
Patent lineage
Cite this patent
Kalos, M. D., Milone, M. C., Levine, B. L., June, C. H., & Porter, D. L. (2016). How Genetically Modified T-Cells Fight CD19 Cancers (U.S. Patent No. 9,481,728). U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/9481728/compositions-and-methods-for-treatment-of-cancer
Auto-generated from the patent record. Double-check author order and the issue date against the official USPTO document before submitting.
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Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What does How Genetically Modified T-Cells Fight CD19 Cancers cover?
This patent describes how to create and use genetically modified human T cells that target and kill cancer cells expressing the CD19 protein, offering a new way to treat blood cancers.
Who owns patent US 9481728?
University of Pennsylvania Penn owns this patent, granted in 2016.
When does this patent expire?
This patent is expected to expire on December 30, 2035, when the invention enters the public domain.
What is patent US 9481728 cited by?
This patent has been cited by 37 later patents that build on its ideas.
What problem does this patent solve?
This patent is foundational to the field of CAR T-cell therapy, a revolutionary approach to treating certain cancers. It specifically details the design of a CAR targeting CD19, a key marker on many blood cancers like leukemia and lymphoma. This technology has led to the development of highly effective treatments for patients who have exhausted other options, transforming the outlook for some hematological malignancies.
What does this patent NOT cover?
Does not cover CAR T-cells that target other cancer-specific proteins besides CD19.
Same assignee
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