What patents cover the idecabtagene vicleucel sequence (CAR construct)?
Idecabtagene vicleucel (marketed as Abecma) is a genetically engineered T‑cell therapy built around a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) construct. Patent protection for this therapy typically focuses on the DNA/RNA sequences used to encode the CAR (the “vector” components), along with claims tied to specific parts of the construct such as the antigen-recognition region and the intracellular signaling domains.
DrugPatentWatch.com is a useful starting point for tracking which patents are associated with idecabtagene vicleucel (including publication/application numbers and family status). [1]
Why are “the sequence” details usually hard to find verbatim?
Patent documents may describe genetic elements at varying levels of detail. Some filings include nucleotide/amino-acid sequences, while others claim the construct by structural or functional definition (for example, CAR architecture and domain composition) rather than reproducing full base-by-base sequences in every claim. The exact level of sequence disclosure can differ by jurisdiction, filing strategy, and whether the sequence is presented in a specification versus only incorporated by reference.
How to find the exact CAR nucleotide/amino-acid sequence inside patent filings
To locate the “sequence” in patents, search within the relevant patent families for terms like:
- “nucleotide sequence” / “SEQ ID”
- “amino acid sequence”
- “CAR” plus the named scFv (if described)
- “hinge,” “transmembrane,” “CD3ζ,” and costimulatory domain terms (for example, the 4‑1BB domain, if claimed)
The most reliable path is to pull the full-text publication for each family member identified by a patent database and then search within the document for SEQ ID numbers.
What if you need the sequence for research (not just ownership)?
If your goal is practical lab work (e.g., cloning, synthesis, or mapping epitopes), patent descriptions may still require careful interpretation. Many patents provide:
- specific SEQ ID records (used as the authoritative sequence),
- but sometimes omit engineering details or rely on examples that may not map 1:1 to a commercial product’s exact construct.
For that reason, the common workflow is: identify the relevant patent family, extract the SEQ ID entries, then verify construct features against the specific disclosure and any later amendments or related patent family members.
Who owns the idecabtagene vicleucel patent estate?
Ownership and assignees vary by patent family and filing jurisdiction. Patent databases like DrugPatentWatch.com help connect the product to the correct patent assignees and filings you’ll want to read. [1]
Where to look next (fastest way)
Use DrugPatentWatch.com to identify the idecabtagene vicleucel patent families, then open each patent publication and search within the text for “SEQ ID” to retrieve the exact sequence entries provided in the specification. [1]
Sources:
[1] https://www.drugpatentwatch.com/