How Genentech's Antibody Targets Cancerous B Cells
This patent describes a specific humanized antibody designed to bind to a protein called CD79b, which is found on the surface of certain cancer cells.
Original patent title: “Humanized anti-CD79b antibodies and immunoconjugates and methods of use”
This patent describes a specific humanized antibody designed to bind to a protein called CD79b, which is found on the surface of certain cancer cells. Granted to Genentech Inc in 2017 with 25 claims and 13 forward citations.
Key facts
Coverage
What does this patent actually cover?
The patent claimsclaimsThe numbered statements at the end of a patent that legally define what the inventor owns.Read more → a specific molecular structure for an antibody that targets the CD79b protein. Antibodies are Y-shaped proteins that the immune system uses to identify foreign objects. By defining precise amino acid sequences for the hypervariable regions (the parts of the antibody that 'grab' onto a target), this patent creates a highly specific key for the CD79b lock. When these antibodies bind to CD79b on the surface of B cells, they can be used to tag those cells for destruction, particularly in patients with B-cell cancers like lymphoma or leukemia.
The gap
What does this patent NOT cover?
- Does not cover antibodies that use different amino acid sequences for the hypervariable regions defined in claimclaimA numbered sentence at the end of a patent that legally defines what the inventor owns. The most important section.Read more → 1.
- Does not cover general methods for creating humanized antibodies that do not utilize the specific sequences listed.
- Does not cover targeting proteins other than CD79b.
- Does not cover the use of these antibodies for non-medical or non-diagnostic purposes.
These exclusions are unique to PatentBrief — derived from the actual claim language, not patent-office boilerplate.
What made this novel
The patent identifies a very specific epitope (the exact spot on the CD79b protein) that allows the antibody to bind effectively even when the protein is expressed on the surface of a living B cell, which is often difficult due to the cell's complex 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
Polatuzumab vedotin (Polivy) used for treating diffuse large B-cell lymphoma
Why it matters
The bigger picture
CD79b is a critical marker for B-cell malignancies. This patent provides the intellectual property foundation for targeted therapies, such as antibody-drug conjugates, which deliver toxic payloads directly to cancer cells while sparing healthy tissue. It is a key component of Genentech's oncology portfolio, specifically supporting the development of drugs like Polatuzumab vedotin (Polivy).
Filed
July 15, 2008
Granted
December 19, 2017
Market context
Who's building on this
Companies in this space
Genentech (a member of the Roche Group) is the primary developer building on this technology. Other pharmaceutical companies researching B-cell therapies often cite this work when developing competing or complementary monoclonal antibody treatments for hematological cancers.
Market impact
This patent helped secure the proprietary position for a new class of targeted cancer therapies. By enabling the development of highly specific CD79b-targeting drugs, it has shifted the standard of care for patients with aggressive lymphomas who have limited treatment options.
Claim 1 — Plain English
What this patent covers
The patent claims a specific molecular structure for an antibody that targets the CD79b protein. Antibodies are Y-shaped proteins that the immune system uses to identify foreign objects. By defining precise amino acid sequences for the hypervariable regions (the parts of the antibody that 'grab' onto a target), this patent creates a highly specific key for the CD79b lock. When these antibodies bind to CD79b on the surface of B cells, they can be used to tag those cells for destruction, particularly in patients with B-cell cancers like lymphoma or leukemia.
The clever bit
The patent identifies a very specific epitope (the exact spot on the CD79b protein) that allows the antibody to bind effectively even when the protein is expressed on the surface of a living B cell, which is often difficult due to the cell's complex environment.
What it does not cover
- Does not cover antibodies that use different amino acid sequences for the hypervariable regions defined in claim 1.
- Does not cover general methods for creating humanized antibodies that do not utilize the specific sequences listed.
- Does not cover targeting proteins other than CD79b.
- Does not cover the use of these antibodies for non-medical or non-diagnostic purposes.
Patent timeline
Application submitted to the patent office
Application published, typically 18 months after filing
Patent officially issued
PatentBrief Score
Impact Score
Strong
Citation count
23/40
Moderately cited
Claim breadth
17/20
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
$94K – $300K
Midpoint $187K · 2.1 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.
The original legal language
Original claims
25 claims as filed with the patent office.
Concepts involved
Citations
Patent lineage
Cite this patent
Dennis, M., Elkins, K., Junutula, J. R., Chen, Y., Zheng, B., & Polson, A. (2017). How Genentech's Antibody Targets Cancerous B Cells (U.S. Patent No. 9,845,355). U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/9845355/tecentriq-atezolizumab
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 Genentech's Antibody Targets Cancerous B Cells cover?
This patent describes a specific humanized antibody designed to bind to a protein called CD79b, which is found on the surface of certain cancer cells.
Who owns patent US 9845355?
Genentech Inc owns this patent, granted in 2017.
When does this patent expire?
This patent is expected to expire on December 19, 2037, when the invention enters the public domain.
What is patent US 9845355 cited by?
This patent has been cited by 13 later patents that build on its ideas.
What problem does this patent solve?
CD79b is a critical marker for B-cell malignancies. This patent provides the intellectual property foundation for targeted therapies, such as antibody-drug conjugates, which deliver toxic payloads directly to cancer cells while sparing healthy tissue. It is a key component of Genentech's oncology portfolio, specifically supporting the development of drugs like Polatuzumab vedotin (Polivy).
What does this patent NOT cover?
Does not cover antibodies that use different amino acid sequences for the hypervariable regions defined in claim 1.
Same assignee
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