Pharmaceuticals

How Felix Hoffmann Invented Aspirin

The 1900 patent for acetylsalicylic acid, the chemical compound that became the world's most common pain reliever, known as Aspirin.

6 citations

How Andrew Moyer Learned to Mass-Produce Penicillin

This 1948 patent details a method for growing the mold Penicillium in large vats using a corn steep liquor medium, which enabled the mass production of life-saving antibiotics.

13 citations

The Chemical Discovery Behind the First Oral Contraceptive Pill

A 1952 patent for a synthetic hormone that became the active ingredient in the first effective oral contraceptive pill.

19 citations

The Discovery of Aspartame as a Sugar Substitute

This 1966 patent identifies specific chemical compounds, known as aspartylphenylalanine esters, that provide intense sweetness for food and drinks without using sugar.

228 citations

Using Radioactive Antibodies to Find Tumors Inside the Body

A 1973 method for finding cancer tumors by injecting patients with radioactive antibodies that attach to tumor-specific proteins, allowing doctors to scan for their location.

66 citations

How Polystyrene Sulfonate Helps Treat Dry Eye Symptoms

A 1975 patent for an eye drop solution that uses a specific polymer to lubricate and cushion the eye, especially for contact lens wearers.

37 citations

Using Specific Steroid Molecules to Block Salt Retention in the Body

A 1976 medical patent describing the use of 11-beta,18-oxidopregnane compounds to help the body excrete sodium by blocking the salt-retaining effects of the hormone aldosterone.

5 citations

Chemical Compounds for Fighting Bacterial and Yeast Infections

A 1977 patent for a specific class of amino-phosphonous acid chemicals designed to act as antibiotics against bacteria and yeast.

17 citations

Catheter System for Opening and Closing Body Passages

This 1980 patent describes a medical catheter system with a guide catheter and a special dilatation catheter that can expand to open or close body passages, like blood vessels.

256 citations

How to Encapsulate Active Materials in Lipid Bubbles Efficiently

This patent describes a method for trapping biologically active substances inside tiny, multi-layered fat bubbles called liposomes, using a specific water-in-oil emulsion and gel-forming process to improve how much material gets captured.

1,862 citations

How Scientists First Made DNA Replicate in New Cells

This 1980 patent describes a method for cutting and pasting DNA pieces in a lab to create new, self-replicating genetic material that can be inserted into bacteria, a foundational technique for genetic engineering.

346 citations

The Discovery of Lovastatin for Lowering Cholesterol

A 1979 patent by Merck describing the isolation of a fermentation product from Aspergillus fungi that effectively lowers cholesterol levels in the blood.

490 citations

How Scientists Taught Bacteria to Make Human Hormones

Genentech's 1979 patent on using engineered DNA to force bacteria to produce human proteins like insulin and growth hormones.

86 citations

How Two Special Antibodies Find Substances in Body Fluids

This patent describes a "sandwich" method using two highly specific, man-made antibodies to detect and measure tiny amounts of specific substances, like disease markers, in a fluid sample.

1,572 citations

Boosting Anti-Infective Activity with Muramyldipeptides and Liposomes

This patent describes a method to make anti-infective drugs called muramyldipeptides work better by injecting them separately but close in time with tiny fat bubbles called liposomes into an animal.

2,340 citations

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

Mice Engineered to Develop Cancer for Research

Harvard's 1988 patent on genetically engineered mice that carry cancer-causing genes, designed to help scientists study how cancer develops and test treatments.

644 citations

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

Detecting Genetic Differences Using DNA Probes and Enzymes

This 1987 patent describes a method to find tiny differences in DNA sequences by using special DNA pieces (probes) and cutting enzymes, which can help diagnose genetic conditions like sickle cell anemia.

289 citations

How Special Sugars Make Medicines Dissolve Better

This patent describes how to make poorly water-soluble drugs dissolve and absorb better by mixing them with specially modified, non-crystalline sugar molecules called cyclodextrin derivatives.

341 citations

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

How to Make Billions of Copies of a DNA Segment

This patent describes the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), a method to rapidly create many copies of a specific piece of DNA or RNA, enabling its detection and analysis.

6,231 citations

The Chemical Formula for Atorvastatin, the Active Ingredient in Lipitor

This patent describes the chemical structure of a class of molecules designed to block the enzyme responsible for cholesterol production in the human body.

340 citations

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

How to Make Hard-to-Absorb Medicines Easier for the Body to Use

A method for mixing specific chemical compounds with surfactants to help the body absorb them more effectively.

16 citations

Using PCR to Detect Viruses in Blood and Tissue Samples

A 1989 patent by Nobel laureate Kary Mullis and his team on using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to replicate and detect tiny amounts of viral DNA or RNA, such as HIV and Hepatitis B, directly from human clinical samples.

122 citations

How an Enzyme Helps Find Specific DNA in a Sample

This patent describes a method for detecting a specific DNA sequence in a sample by using a labeled DNA probe and an enzyme that cuts the probe, releasing detectable fragments.

1,183 citations

How a Cholesterol-Lowering Drug Molecule Was Patented

This patent protects the specific chemical structure of a molecule designed to lower cholesterol, including its various salt forms and its use in medicine.

519 citations

Preventing Protein Damage with Extra Methionine

This 1993 patent describes how adding extra methionine to protein-based medicines can prevent them from degrading, especially in liquid or semi-solid forms.

63 citations

How to Create Lab-Made Proteins That Stop Immune System Overreaction

A method for creating custom proteins that act as 'brakes' for the body's immune system to prevent damage from excessive inflammation.

27 citations

Using Insect Cells to Create Antibodies for Human Diseases

A method for creating disease-fighting antibodies by using insect cells to display human proteins, which are then injected into animals to trigger an immune response.

25 citations

How to Build Smaller, Synthetic Antibody-Like Molecules for Medicine

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.

440 citations

Using Radioactive Antibodies to Treat B-Cell Lymphoma

A method for treating B-cell lymphoma by using radioactive antibodies to target cancer cells without destroying the patient's bone marrow.

232 citations

New Pyrimidine Chemical Compounds for Treating Tumors

This patent describes specific new chemical compounds, called N-phenyl-2-pyrimidine-amine derivatives, designed with precise molecular structures for potential use in treating cancer.

564 citations

Using Vitamin B12 to Help Proteins Survive the Human Digestive System

A method for attaching therapeutic proteins to Vitamin B12 so they can be absorbed through the gut instead of being injected.

46 citations

How to Redesign Mouse Antibodies for Safe Use in Humans

Genentech's 1995 patent on a systematic method for humanizing rodent antibodies by grafting their disease-targeting loops onto a human consensus framework while carefully swapping key structural support residues to maintain binding strength.

1,161 citations

How to Make Pill Coatings That Keep Medicine Stable Over Time

A method for coating pills with a specific plasticized acrylic polymer that ensures the medicine releases at a steady, predictable rate, even after sitting on a shelf for months.

1,092 citations

How Scientists Create Human-Friendly Antibodies for Medicine

This patent describes a method for modifying mouse antibodies so human immune systems accept them as their own, allowing them to be used as powerful, long-lasting medical treatments.

4,274 citations

Antibodies That Block Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha (TNFα)

This 2000 patent describes specific human antibodies designed to strongly bind and neutralize a protein called TNFα, which is linked to inflammation and autoimmune diseases.

361 citations

Making High-Concentration Antibody Medicines Stable for Injection

Genentech's 2001 patent on a method to create stable, concentrated antibody medicines that can be easily reconstituted for injection, preventing degradation during freezing and storage.

878 citations

How Vaccines Protect Pigs from Respiratory Bacteria

A 1999 patent describing a vaccine for swine that uses specific bacterial proteins to trigger an immune response against the lung disease caused by Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae.

3 citations

Using Stress Proteins to Help the Body Accept Organ Transplants

A method for preventing organ transplant rejection by using stress proteins to teach the immune system to tolerate donor tissue.

15 citations

How Genentech Created Antibodies to Stop Tumor Growth

A 1997 patent describing a specific humanized antibody designed to block VEGF, a protein that helps tumors grow their own blood supply.

308 citations

Personalized Dosing for Crohn's Disease Drugs Using Blood Tests

A method for adjusting doses of inflammatory bowel disease medication by measuring specific drug metabolites in a patient's red blood cells to maximize effectiveness while avoiding side effects.

75 citations

Using Cannabinoids to Protect the Brain from Oxidative Stress

A government-owned patent describing how certain non-psychoactive cannabinoids can act as antioxidants to protect brain cells from damage caused by strokes, trauma, or diseases like Alzheimer's.

78 citations

How to Use Modified Cells to Produce Insulin-Regulating Proteins in the Body

A method for taking a patient's own cells, modifying them with DNA to produce GLP-1, and putting them back into the body to treat metabolic conditions.

2 citations

How Human Antibodies Block the Immune System's Off-Switch

Abgenix's 1999 patent on fully human monoclonal antibodies that bind to CTLA-4, a protein brake on the immune system, allowing T-cells to stay active and attack cancer cells.

500 citations

How Genentech Purifies Therapeutic Antibodies for Cancer Treatment

A method for refining mixtures of anti-HER2 antibodies to ensure that harmful acidic variants remain below 25 percent of the total composition.

128 citations

How Genentech Created Antibodies to Target Prostate Cancer Cells

A patent describing specific antibodies that latch onto and kill cancer cells expressing the PSCA protein, effectively turning the body's immune-targeting tools into cancer-fighting weapons.

136 citations

How to Store Fragile Biological Materials Without Refrigeration

A method for preserving unstable biological materials like proteins by trapping them in a solid, glass-like sugar or polymer matrix that prevents decay at room temperature.

11 citations

How to Keep High-Concentration Antibody Medicines Stable in Liquid Form

Novartis's patent describes a specific liquid recipe for keeping high concentrations of E25 anti-IgE antibodies stable and usable for medical injections.

17 citations

How Dosing Humira for Rheumatoid Arthritis Works

This patent defines the specific 40mg biweekly injection schedule for the drug Humira to treat rheumatoid arthritis.

15 citations

How Engineered Antibodies Block Inflammation-Causing Proteins

A patent describing lab-made antibodies designed to hunt down and neutralize a specific protein called TNF-alpha that causes chronic inflammation in the body.

77 citations

Using Antibodies to Block HER3 Proteins in Cancer Cells

A patent describing specific antibodies that bind to and block the HER3 protein, which is often used by cancer cells to grow and survive.

5 citations

How Genentech Engineered Antibodies to Starve Tumors of Blood

A 2007 Genentech patent describing specific lab-made antibodies that block a protein called VEGF, which tumors use to grow new blood vessels.

76 citations

Isolating Microbial Proteins That Regulate Cellular Protein Stability

This patent identifies specific genetic sequences from microbes that produce proteins capable of modifying SUMO, a key molecule that controls how other proteins behave inside cells.

6 citations

How Antibodies Can Force Cancer Cells to Self-Destruct

Genentech's patent on specific antibodies that bind to the Apo-2 receptor to trigger programmed cell death in cancer cells.

2 citations

How to Keep Humira Stable in a Liquid Medicine Bottle

A recipe for a stable, liquid version of the drug Humira that stays effective at high concentrations without spoiling or clumping.

58 citations

How Genentech's Antibodies Stop Tumor Blood Vessel Growth

A Genentech patent for specific lab-made antibodies that block a protein called VEGF, effectively starving tumors of the blood supply they need to grow.

54 citations

How Engineered Antibodies Target TGF-beta Proteins to Fight Cancer

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.

756 citations

A Gel That Helps Nicotine Absorb Through Your Skin

A specialized gel formula designed to help nicotine pass through the skin or mouth lining without crystallizing or rubbing off on clothes.

25 citations

How Modified RNA Tricks Cells Into Making Proteins Without Triggering Attacks

A breakthrough method for using modified RNA to deliver instructions to cells without causing the body to reject the treatment as a foreign invader.

322 citations

Improving Drug Delivery with Chemical Masks for Thiazolo-Pyrimidine Compounds

A patent describing modified chemical structures that act as dormant precursors, designed to be activated by the body to help treat viral infections like Hepatitis C.

1 citation

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.

13 citations

Using Antibodies to Target Tissue Factor Without Stopping Blood Clotting

A patent describing specific antibodies that attach to a protein called tissue factor without interfering with the body's natural blood-clotting process.

3 citations

How Gilead Made a Stable HIV Pill Combining Two Medicines

This patent describes a stable, single-pill combination of two HIV drugs, tenofovir disoproxil fumarate and emtricitabine, designed to prevent them from breaking down when stored together.

19 citations

Using Plant-Derived Chemicals and Metabolic Drugs to Fight Cancer

A medical patent describing a combination therapy that pairs specific plant-derived compounds with metabolic drugs to kill cancer cells more effectively than either could alone.

1 citation

How Specific Antibody Drugs Are Stabilized for Storage and Use

Genentech's 2013 patent details a precise recipe for an antibody drug, like Pertuzumab, using a special buffer, sugar, and cleaning agent to keep it stable for patients.

35 citations

Using Yeast Cell Walls to Deliver Genetic Medicine

A method for using hollowed-out yeast cell walls as tiny transport containers to deliver genetic payloads like DNA or RNA into cells.

4 citations

How Specialized Nanobodies Block Blood Clotting Proteins

A patent describing specific, tiny antibody fragments designed to bind to and inhibit Von Willebrand Factor, a protein that triggers blood clotting.

9 citations

How Bayer's Engineered Antibodies Help Blood Clotting

This patent describes specific engineered antibodies designed to block a protein that prevents blood clotting, potentially helping people with bleeding disorders.

Making Ivacaftor Easier for the Body to Absorb

A patent describing a specific way to turn a drug molecule into an amorphous solid to help the body absorb it more effectively.

50 citations

How Roche Engineers Antibodies to Target Two Different Diseases Simultaneously

A method for creating a custom-engineered antibody that can grab onto two different targets at once, designed to help the immune system fight complex diseases.

6 citations

Using Dimethyl Fumarate to Treat Multiple Sclerosis

A patent detailing the specific daily dosage of 480mg of dimethyl fumarate for treating multiple sclerosis to protect nerve cells.

52 citations

Using Purified Fish Oil Derivatives to Lower Triglycerides Alongside Statins

A medical treatment method using a specific high-dose, purified EPA supplement to lower triglycerides in patients already taking statin medication.

13 citations

How Ibrutinib-like Molecules Block Cancer-Causing Proteins

A chemical design for molecules that permanently latch onto and disable a specific protein called Btk, which is often responsible for the growth of certain blood cancers.

33 citations

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.

Chemical Compounds for Treating Hepatitis C Virus

A patent describing specific chemical structures designed to stop the Hepatitis C virus from replicating in humans.

11 citations

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

Treating Hepatitis C with Combination Drug Therapy

A Gilead Sciences patent detailing a method to treat Hepatitis C by combining a specific chemical compound with an NS5a inhibitor.

42 citations

Gilead's Chemical Compounds for Treating HIV Infections

This patent covers specific chemical structures designed to block HIV from replicating in human cells, providing a foundation for new antiviral medications.

35 citations

Combining Cyclosporine A and Steroids into a Single Hybrid Drug

A chemical method for linking cyclosporine A and steroid molecules into a single hybrid drug designed to treat eye conditions by releasing both components upon contact.

1 citation

How Genentech Engineered Antibodies to Block the Bv8 Protein

This patent details specific genetic blueprints for creating antibodies that target and neutralize Bv8, a protein often associated with tumor growth and inflammation.

Using Genetically Modified Viruses to Target and Treat Cancer

A method for creating a modified vaccinia virus that safely hunts down and kills tumor cells while leaving healthy tissue alone.

15 citations

How Gilead Stabilized the HIV Combination Pill Truvada

A patent detailing a stable, fixed-dose combination of two HIV drugs, tenofovir disoproxil fumarate and emtricitabine, designed to prevent chemical breakdown in a single tablet.

How to Make Anthrax Vaccines That Survive Freezing

A method for protecting sensitive anthrax vaccines from damage during freezing and thawing by using specific sugars and additives during the drying process.

How Synthetic Peptides Block Immune System Overreaction

A patent describing specific synthetic peptides designed to stop the body's immune system from attacking healthy cells by blocking a protein called C5.

8 citations

Using the Drug TIC10 to Treat Brain Cancer

A patent for using a specific small molecule drug called TIC10 to treat brain cancers like glioblastoma by triggering a natural cell-death process.

3 citations

How to Design Effective siRNA Molecules to Silence Specific Genes

A patent detailing the precise chemical structure and sequence requirements for siRNA molecules designed to effectively turn off the AAT gene in cells.

3 citations

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

How to Engineer Antibodies to Better Target and Destroy Disease

This patent describes a way to modify the tail end of an antibody so it binds more strongly to immune cells, helping the body fight off infections or cancer more effectively.

12 citations

Using Antibodies to Block IL-26 for Treating Inflammatory Diseases

A patent for specific antibodies that block the protein IL-26 to help treat inflammatory conditions like psoriasis and Crohn's disease.

1 citation

How to Build Tiny Lipid Capsules to Deliver Genetic Medicines

A precise method for creating small, stable lipid bubbles that safely carry genetic material like siRNA into cells for medical treatment.

10 citations

How Novartis Engineered Antibodies to Block the TIM-3 Immune Checkpoint

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.

10 citations

How to Treat Severe Lung Infections Using Ceftolozane and Tazobactam

A medical treatment method for severe, hospital-acquired pneumonia using a specific, recurring intravenous dose of the antibiotic combination ceftolozane and tazobactam.

Highly Efficient Bacterial Gene Editing Using Guide RNA and Reverse Transcriptase

This patent describes a system for precisely editing the DNA of bacterial cells with very high success rates, using a combination of guide RNA, reverse transcriptase, and specific DNA sequences.

30 citations

Using Antibodies to Protect Transplanted Organs from Damage

A medical method for preserving transplanted organs by using specific antibodies to block a protein that causes inflammation and blood vessel leakage.

How a Specific Eye Drop Formula Treats Glaucoma

A patent for a precise, low-concentration eye drop solution designed to lower eye pressure in patients with glaucoma or ocular hypertension.

1 citation

How to Manufacture a Complex Cancer-Fighting Drug Molecule

A detailed chemical recipe for mass-producing a specific cancer-fighting molecule, including the intermediate building blocks needed to construct it efficiently.

How Moderna's mRNA Vaccine Technology Targets Betacoronaviruses

A patent describing a specific mRNA vaccine design that uses lipid nanoparticles to deliver genetic instructions for building parts of a betacoronavirus to trigger an immune response.

46 citations

How to Make Long-Lasting Injections for Multiple Sclerosis Treatment

A patent for a slow-release version of the MS drug glatiramer acetate, designed to be injected once every week to six months instead of daily.

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.