Cell-Penetrating Protein Conjugates for Intracellular STAT3 Targeting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current antibody therapies are limited to targeting extracellular molecules, making it difficult to effectively target intracellular molecules such as transcription factors like STAT3 for disease treatment and diagnosis.

Innovation Solution

Development of cell-penetrating conjugates comprising non-cell penetrating proteins attached to a phosphorothioate nucleic acid or phosphorothioate polymer backbone, enhancing intracellular delivery of these proteins.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If antibodies are used to target molecules, then specificity and bio-durability are improved, but the ability to target intracellular molecules deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespecificity and bio-durabilityVSAvoidability to target intracellular molecules

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines antibodies with cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) to create a hybrid molecule that merges the specificity and bio-durability of antibodies with the cell-penetrating capability of CPPs, enabling targeted delivery of antibodies into cells to reach intracellular molecules

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The cell-penetrating peptide acts as an intermediary that facilitates the entry of antibodies into cells. The CPP component enables the antibody to cross the cell membrane barrier, while the antibody component provides specific binding to the target antigen

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If peptides and proteins are modified to be cell penetrating, then intracellular delivery capability is improved, but structural complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveintracellular delivery capabilityVSAvoidstructural complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges a cell-penetrating peptide component with an antibody component through conjugation, creating a bifunctional molecule where the CPP provides entry capability and the antibody provides target recognition, achieving intracellular delivery without overly complex structural modifications

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS12521445B2Cell penetrating conjugates and methods of use thereof

Publication Date: 2026.01.13 CITY OF HOPE

AI summary

Provided herein are cell penetrating conjugates. The conjugates include a non-cell penetrating protein attached to a phosphorothioate nucleic acid or phosphorothioate polymer backbone, wherein the phosphorothioate nucleic acid or phosphorothioate polymer backbone enhances intracellular delivery of the non-cell penetrating protein. Also provided are compositions and kits comprising the cojugates.