Targeted Platinum Drugs for Cancer Treatment
This patent describes a way to deliver platinum-based cancer drugs directly to tumor cells by attaching them to a special 'ligand' molecule that seeks out cancer cell markers.
Original patent title: “Ligand-targeted molecules and methods thereof”
This patent describes a way to deliver platinum-based cancer drugs directly to tumor cells by attaching them to a special 'ligand' molecule that seeks out cancer cell markers. Granted to INVICTUS ONCOLOGY PVT in 2018 with 13 claims and 3 forward citations, and it is expected to expire in 2033.
Coverage
What does this patent actually cover?
This patent describes a 'ligand drug conjugate' (LDC) designed to deliver chemotherapy drugs specifically to cancer cells. The LDC works by connecting a 'ligand' (a molecule that can find and stick to specific targets) to a 'functional moiety,' which is then linked to a 'coordination metal complex' containing platinum (II). This platinum complex is, in turn, connected to a drug. The ligand is designed to bind to a 'protein, receptor, or cell marker on a surface of a cancer cell' (claimsclaimsThe numbered statements at the end of a patent that legally define what the inventor owns.Read more → 2, 9), acting like a homing beacon. The connections between these parts are made by 'linkers,' which can be simple chains like hydrocarbons or more complex ones like polyethylene glycol (PEG), amino acids, or peptides (claims 3, 10). For example, a ligand might specifically recognize a unique protein found only on the surface of lung cancer cells, guiding the attached platinum drug directly to those cells to treat the cancer (claims 5, 11) while minimizing harm to healthy tissues.
The gap
What does this patent NOT cover?
- Does not cover non-targeted platinum drugs that distribute throughout the body without a specific cancer cell homing mechanism.
- Does not cover targeted drug conjugates that use metal complexes other than platinum (II) as the central coordination component.
- Does not cover targeted drug conjugates where the drug is not connected via a platinum (II) coordination complex.
- Does not cover methods of treating diseases other than cancer using these specific conjugates.
- Does not cover targeting mechanisms that do not involve a ligand binding to a protein, receptor, or cell marker on a cancer cell's surface.
These exclusions are unique to PatentBrief — derived from the actual claim language, not patent-office boilerplate.
Key facts
What made this novel
The clever part is the specific chemical architecture of the drug conjugate, particularly the inclusion of a platinum (II) coordination complex as a central, structured component that links the drug to the targeting ligand. This design allows for the precise, targeted delivery of platinum-based chemotherapy agents, aiming to improve their therapeutic index by localizing their activity.
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
Cisplatin (a non-targeted platinum drug)
Carboplatin (another non-targeted platinum drug)
Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) in cancer therapy
Targeted chemotherapy for solid tumors
Why it matters
The bigger picture
Traditional platinum-based chemotherapy drugs are effective against many cancers but often cause severe side effects because they harm healthy cells along with cancer cells. This patent addresses that problem by proposing a way to target these powerful drugs directly to tumors. By concentrating the drug at the cancer site, it aims to increase effectiveness while reducing harmful side effects, which is a major goal in modern oncology.
Filed
January 3, 2013
Granted
February 6, 2018
Market context
Who's building on this
Companies in this space
Invictus Oncology Pvt Ltd, the original assigneeassigneeThe entity that owns the patent — usually the inventor's employer or a company.Read more →, is focused on developing novel cancer therapies, including targeted approaches. Beyond the assignee, many major pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies are actively developing targeted cancer therapies, such as antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), which share the core principle of using a targeting molecule to deliver a cytotoxic drug. Companies like Pfizer (which acquired Seagen), Genentech (a subsidiary of Roche), and AstraZeneca are prominent players in this space.
Market impact
This patent contributes to the ongoing shift in oncology towards more precise and targeted cancer treatments. The development of such ligand-drug conjugates aims to create therapies with improved efficacy and reduced systemic toxicity compared to traditional chemotherapy. This approach has spurred significant research and investment in the pharmaceutical market, creating a distinct segment focused on personalized medicine and advanced drug delivery systems for cancer patients.
Claim 1 — Plain English
What this patent covers
This patent describes a 'ligand drug conjugate' (LDC) designed to deliver chemotherapy drugs specifically to cancer cells. The LDC works by connecting a 'ligand' (a molecule that can find and stick to specific targets) to a 'functional moiety,' which is then linked to a 'coordination metal complex' containing platinum (II). This platinum complex is, in turn, connected to a drug. The ligand is designed to bind to a 'protein, receptor, or cell marker on a surface of a cancer cell' (claims 2, 9), acting like a homing beacon. The connections between these parts are made by 'linkers,' which can be simple chains like hydrocarbons or more complex ones like polyethylene glycol (PEG), amino acids, or peptides (claims 3, 10). For example, a ligand might specifically recognize a unique protein found only on the surface of lung cancer cells, guiding the attached platinum drug directly to those cells to treat the cancer (claims 5, 11) while minimizing harm to healthy tissues.
The clever bit
The clever part is the specific chemical architecture of the drug conjugate, particularly the inclusion of a platinum (II) coordination complex as a central, structured component that links the drug to the targeting ligand. This design allows for the precise, targeted delivery of platinum-based chemotherapy agents, aiming to improve their therapeutic index by localizing their activity.
What it does not cover
- Does not cover non-targeted platinum drugs that distribute throughout the body without a specific cancer cell homing mechanism.
- Does not cover targeted drug conjugates that use metal complexes other than platinum (II) as the central coordination component.
- Does not cover targeted drug conjugates where the drug is not connected via a platinum (II) coordination complex.
- Does not cover methods of treating diseases other than cancer using these specific conjugates.
- Does not cover targeting mechanisms that do not involve a ligand binding to a protein, receptor, or cell marker on a cancer cell's surface.
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
Early stage
Citation count
12/40
Early citations
Claim breadth
9/20
Moderate scope
Recency
10/20
Granted 5–10 years ago
Assignee scale
0/20
Independent or smaller assigneeassigneeThe entity that owns the patent — usually the inventor's employer or a company.Read more →
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
$53K – $168K
Midpoint $105K · 6.5 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
13 claims as filed with the patent office.
Concepts involved
Citations
Patent lineage
Cite this patent
Hussain, S., Roy, M., Pramanik, D., Hossain, S. S., & Sengupta, S. (2018). Targeted Platinum Drugs for Cancer Treatment (U.S. Patent No. 9,884,123). U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/9884123/ligand-targeted-molecules-and-methods-thereof
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 Targeted Platinum Drugs for Cancer Treatment cover?
This patent describes a way to deliver platinum-based cancer drugs directly to tumor cells by attaching them to a special 'ligand' molecule that seeks out cancer cell markers.
Who owns patent US 9884123?
INVICTUS ONCOLOGY PVT owns this patent, granted in 2018.
When does this patent expire?
This patent is expected to expire on January 3, 2033, when the invention enters the public domain.
What is patent US 9884123 cited by?
This patent has been cited by 3 later patents that build on its ideas.
What problem does this patent solve?
Traditional platinum-based chemotherapy drugs are effective against many cancers but often cause severe side effects because they harm healthy cells along with cancer cells. This patent addresses that problem by proposing a way to target these powerful drugs directly to tumors. By concentrating the drug at the cancer site, it aims to increase effectiveness while reducing harmful side effects, which is a major goal in modern oncology.
What does this patent NOT cover?
Does not cover non-targeted platinum drugs that distribute throughout the body without a specific cancer cell homing mechanism.
Patent monitoring