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Innovation Timeline

Gene Editing

CRISPR-Cas9, zinc finger nucleases, base editing — the IP behind precision medicine's most powerful tools.

Landmark patents

21

Total citations

19,867

Span

19832023

Milestones

5

1980s

Milestone
US 4816567· 1983· Genentech Inc

Making Hybrid Antibodies from Different Animals

This patent describes how to create new, engineered antibodies by combining parts of antibodies from two different animal species, then growing them in a lab.

8,214 citations

Milestone
US 4703008· 1984· Kirin Amgen Inc

How to Make Human Erythropoietin (EPO) Using Engineered DNA

This patent describes the specific DNA sequences and methods to engineer cells to produce erythropoietin (EPO), a protein vital for red blood cell production, outside the human body.

346 citations

Milestone
US 4683202· 1985· Cetus CorpPublic domain

How to Make Many Copies of a Specific DNA Segment

This patent describes the fundamental three-step process for making millions of copies of a specific piece of DNA using short starter molecules and an enzyme, a technique known as Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR).

7,558 citations

Milestone
US 4965188· 1987· Cetus Corp

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.

2,132 citations

US 5110802· 1987· City of Hope

Using Synthetic DNA Fragments to Block HIV Replication

A 1987 patent describing a specific synthetic DNA molecule designed to stop the HIV virus from replicating by blocking a key part of its genetic code.

26 citations

2010s

Milestone
US 8697359· 2013· Massachusetts Institute of Technology

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.

1,268 citations

US 9328156· 2013· University of Pennsylvania Penn

How Genetically Modified T-Cells Attack Cancer

This patent describes how human T cells are genetically engineered to express a special receptor (CAR) that specifically targets and kills cancer cells, particularly those with the CD19 marker, offering a new way to treat cancer.

65 citations

US 9481728· 2015· University of Pennsylvania Penn

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.

37 citations

US 20160168227· 2016· Curevac AG

How an mRNA Vaccine for Lung Cancer Teaches the Immune System to Fight

This patent describes a specific mRNA vaccine designed to treat lung cancer by instructing the body's cells to produce six distinct tumor proteins, thereby training the immune system to recognize and attack cancer cells.

80 citations

US 20160166668· 2016· Curevac AG

How an mRNA Vaccine Targets Prostate Cancer with Six Antigens

This patent describes an mRNA vaccine designed to treat prostate cancer by delivering genetic instructions for a specific combination of six prostate-related proteins, teaching the body to fight the cancer.

84 citations

US 10113167· 2016· Universitaet Wien

How CRISPR-Cas9 Uses RNA to Edit DNA

This patent describes the fundamental mechanism of using a two-part RNA system to guide the Cas9 protein to specific locations in DNA for precise editing.

49 citations

US 12163952· 2018· Juno Therapeutics

Predicting and Treating Dangerous Side Effects in CAR T-Cell Therapy

This patent describes methods to identify patients at high risk for severe side effects, like cytokine release syndrome or neurotoxicity, during CAR T-cell cancer therapy and how to treat them proactively.

US 12350368· 2018· Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Delivering Large Gene Editing Tools into Cells with Hybrid Virus-Lipid Packages

This patent describes a sophisticated delivery system that combines parts of a virus with a fat bubble (liposome) to efficiently transport large molecules, like CRISPR gene-editing components, into specific cells.

US 10314897· 2018· Immatics Biotechnologies

How a Specific Protein Fragment Can Train Immune Cells to Fight Cancer

This patent describes methods to fight various cancers by using a specific protein fragment (peptide LYHDIFSRL) to train a patient's immune cells to recognize and attack tumor cells.

4 citations

US 20230187025· 2018· Genewiz Suzhou

How to Design High-Quality Gene Editing Tools for a Whole Genome

This patent describes a computer system and method for creating a comprehensive library of gene-editing guides (sgRNAs) by carefully designing and filtering them to be accurate and avoid unintended genetic changes.

1 citation

2020s

US 20210205465· 2021· Apo T BV

Targeting Bad Cells with Toxic Antibodies for Cancer and Autoimmune Disease

This patent describes special antibodies equipped with a toxic payload that specifically seek out and bind to unique markers on diseased cells, like cancer or autoimmune cells, to destroy them.

US 12416013· 2021· Tianjin Genovo Biotechnology Co

Boosting Plant Gene Editing and Regeneration with Special Genes

This patent describes a method to make plant genetic engineering more efficient by adding specific genes that encourage plant cells to divide and grow, making it easier to create new plants with desired traits.

1 citation

US 12252707· 2021· Massachusetts Institute of Technology

How to Make Animals That Can Turn On CRISPR Gene Editing

This patent describes creating genetically modified non-human animals, like mice, where a key CRISPR gene-editing protein (Cas9) can be turned on only in specific cells or at specific times using a special genetic switch.

US 20240082373· 2023· Massachusetts Institute of Technology

How Special Molecules Boost Cancer-Fighting CAR-T Cells

This patent describes special molecules made of a CAR-T cell activator attached to a fat-like part, designed to make cancer-fighting CAR-T cells grow and work better inside a patient.

2 citations

US 20230383290· 2023· Leland Stanford Junior University

How to Precisely Edit Genes Using Retron-Guide RNA Cassettes

This patent describes a method for highly efficient and precise genome editing using a retron-guide RNA cassette to deliver large pieces of donor DNA into a cell's genetic material.

US 12168044· 2023· Immatics Biotechnologies

Treating Liver Cancer with Specially Trained Immune Cells

This patent describes a method for treating hepatocellular cancer by giving patients specially activated immune cells that are trained to recognize and kill cancer cells displaying a specific protein fragment.

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