You cannot patent the “binding site” because it is found in nature (you did not invent it, you discovered it and patents are only granted for inventions). I think you could patent compounds that bind that site if they are not the exact natural ligands.
- Francisco On Fri, Nov 3, 2017 at 9:14 PM Cheng Zhang <[email protected]> wrote: > > A related question. If you have a crystal structure and found a novel > ligand binding site that can be used to regulate protein activity, could > you patent such "binding site"? If not, how to make the best use of such > findings? > > Thanks! > > Cheng > > On Sat, Nov 4, 2017 at 12:33 AM, James Phillips < > [email protected]> wrote: > >> Realistically, if you live in the US and 5 SCOTUS judges agree you can >> patent anything. >> >> On Fri, Nov 3, 2017 at 09:45 Francisco Tenjo <[email protected]> wrote: >> >>> Hi. >>> >>> A mutated DNA or protein molecule can be patented if the mutations are >>> not present in nature and they have a technical effect (for example, in the >>> case of antibodies, you could have increased affinity for an antigen if you >>> make the right mutations of the CDRs). Also, the mutations should not have >>> been published before you file your patent application. >>> >>> Regards, >>> >>> - Francisco >>> >>> 2017-11-03 6:26 GMT-04:00 Chris Morris <[email protected]>: >>> >>>> > Sorry for asking out of context question. Can a mutated DNA or >>>> protein molecule be patented. >>>> >>>> Yes and no. A molecule as such cannot be patented. But the use of a >>>> molecule for a specific purpose can be. There are many patents for small >>>> molecule drugs, and also for engineered antibodies, which are proteins. >>>> There are patents for industrial use of enzymes too. >>>> >>>> regards, >>>> Chris >>>> ____________________________________________ >>>> Chris Morris >>>> [email protected] >>>> Tel: +44 (0)1925 603689 Fax: +44 (0)1925 603634 >>>> Mobile: 07921-717915 >>>> Skype: chrishgmorris >>>> http://www.citeulike.org/blog/chrishmorris >>>> STFC, Daresbury Laboratory, Sci-Tech Daresbury, Keckwick Lane, >>>> Daresbury, Warrington, WA4 4AD UK >>>> >>> >>> >>> >>> -- >>> Francisco Tenjo >>> >> > > > -- > --------------------- > Cheng Zhang > -- Francisco Tenjo
