# A Custom-Built Protein to Block TGF-beta Signaling in Disease > A laboratory-engineered protein designed to soak up excess TGF-beta molecules, which could help treat conditions like cancer and fibrosis where these signals are overactive. - **Patent:** US RE49280 - **Original title:** USRE49280E1 - TGFbeta type II-type III receptor fusions - **Owner:** University of Texas System - **Granted:** 2022 - **Status:** Active - **Times cited:** 0 - **Field:** biotech, pharmaceutical ## What it does This patent describes a synthetic protein called RER, which is a fusion of parts from two different human receptors: TGF-beta type II and type III. By stitching these together into a heterotrimeric structure, the protein acts like a molecular sponge that binds to all three isoforms of TGF-beta with high affinity. Because it specifically targets TGF-beta, it can neutralize these signals without interfering with other related growth factors like BMPs or activins. In practice, this could be injected into a patient to clear out harmful, excess TGF-beta signaling that drives tumor growth or tissue scarring. ## What it does NOT cover - Does not cover naturally occurring TGF-beta receptors found in the human body. - Does not cover fusion proteins that bind to other TGF-beta superfamily members like BMPs or activins. - Does not cover general protein engineering techniques that do not result in the specific RER heterotrimeric structure. - Does not cover therapeutic methods that do not rely on the specific amino acid sequences defined in the claims. ## The clever bit The innovation lies in combining the ectodomains of two distinct receptors into a single, stable heterotrimeric fusion that achieves high-affinity binding to all three TGF-beta isoforms simultaneously, a feat that single-receptor approaches struggle to match. ## Real-world examples 1. Experimental cancer therapies targeting the tumor microenvironment 2. Anti-fibrotic research treatments for organ scarring ## Why it matters TGF-beta is a major signaling protein involved in both healthy tissue repair and dangerous disease progression. By creating a highly specific 'sink' for this protein, researchers aim to stop diseases like cancer and fibrosis at the source. This is a significant step in developing targeted biological therapies that avoid the broad side effects of systemic drugs. ## Frequently asked questions ### What does A Custom-Built Protein to Block TGF-beta Signaling in Disease cover? A laboratory-engineered protein designed to soak up excess TGF-beta molecules, which could help treat conditions like cancer and fibrosis where these signals are overactive. ### Who owns patent US RE49280? University of Texas System owns this patent, granted in 2022. ### When does this patent expire? This patent is expected to expire on November 8, 2042, when the invention enters the public domain. ### What problem does this patent solve? TGF-beta is a major signaling protein involved in both healthy tissue repair and dangerous disease progression. By creating a highly specific 'sink' for this protein, researchers aim to stop diseases like cancer and fibrosis at the source. This is a significant step in developing targeted biological therapies that avoid the broad side effects of systemic drugs. ### What does this patent NOT cover? Does not cover naturally occurring TGF-beta receptors found in the human body. **Full plain-English explainer:** https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/RE49280/smart-ring-health-tracker **Original patent:** https://patents.google.com/patent/USRE49280 --- _Source: PatentBrief — https://patentbrief.org. Patent facts are from public records; the plain-English explanation is PatentBrief's._ ## Related patents Semantically similar inventions in the PatentBrief corpus: - [How Engineered Antibodies Target TGF-beta Proteins to Fight Cancer](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/7527791/ipilimumab-yervoy) — This patent describes specific engineered antibodies, made from mouse and human parts, designed to block TGF-beta proteins to help treat various cancers like breast or lung cancer. - [How Novartis Engineered Antibodies to Block the TIM-3 Immune Checkpoint](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/10472419/keytruda-pembrolizumab) — A patent describing specific genetic blueprints for antibodies designed to bind to and inhibit the TIM-3 protein, a key target in cancer and immune system research. - [Using Antibodies to Target Tissue Factor Without Stopping Blood Clotting](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/7993644/stelara-ustekinumab) — A patent describing specific antibodies that attach to a protein called tissue factor without interfering with the body's natural blood-clotting process. - [How to Build Smaller, Synthetic Antibody-Like Molecules for Medicine](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/5455030/immunotheraphy-using-single-chain-polypeptide-binding-molecules) — This patent describes a way to create small, single-chain proteins that mimic the binding power of full-sized antibodies to deliver medicine more effectively. - [How Bayer's Engineered Antibodies Help Blood Clotting](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/RE47150/cosentyx-secukinumab) — This patent describes specific engineered antibodies designed to block a protein that prevents blood clotting, potentially helping people with bleeding disorders.