US 11021737

Analysis of U.S. Patent 11,021,737

Washington, D.C. - A detailed analysis of U.S. Patent No. 11,021,737 reveals a significant invention in the field of molecular biology and diagnostics, focusing on methods for detecting multiple analytes within a sample. This patent, assigned to Harvard University, is at the center of recent litigation, underscoring its perceived commercial importance.

Key Patent Details:

• Title: Compositions and methods for analyte detection
• Assignee: President and Fellows of Harvard College
• Inventors: George M. Church, Je-Hyuk Lee, Daniel Levner, Michael Super
• Filing Date: July 29, 2020
• Issue Date: June 1, 2021
• Abstract: The patent describes compositions and methods for detecting and analyzing a plurality of analytes, such as proteins or nucleic acids, in a sample. The core of the invention lies in using detection reagents that are labeled with nucleic acid "barcodes." These barcodes allow for the identification of numerous analytes simultaneously through a process of sequential detection, which can be read, for example, by DNA sequencing or hybridization with fluorescent probes. This technology enables highly multiplexed analysis, meaning many different targets can be identified within a single sample at the same time, while preserving spatial information.

Plain-Language Overview of Independent Claims:

U.S. Patent 11,021,737 contains several independent claims that define the core scope of the invention. In essence, these claims protect methods for identifying multiple substances (analytes) in a biological sample.

• Claim 1: This claim outlines a method where a sample is treated with a variety of "detection reagents." Each reagent is designed to bind to a specific target molecule (like a particular protein). Crucially, each detection reagent is tagged with a unique DNA or RNA label. This label has a series of pre-determined "subsequences." The method involves reading these subsequences in a specific order over time. The sequence of signals generated from these subsequences acts like a barcode, uniquely identifying the detection reagent and, therefore, the target molecule it has attached to.

• Claim 12: This claim is similar to Claim 1 but specifies that the detection of the subsequences is done by repeatedly hybridizing (binding) and then removing sets of "decoder probes." Each decoder probe is a short nucleic acid that is complementary to one of the subsequences and carries a detectable label, such as a fluorescent dye. By using different sets of labeled probes in sequence, the unique barcode of each detection reagent can be read.

• Claim 20: This claim focuses on the detection reagent itself. It describes a construct that includes a "probe reagent" (the part that binds to the target molecule, such as an antibody) linked to a nucleic acid label. This nucleic acid label is the key feature, containing at least two different, pre-determined subsequences that can be detected in a specific order to identify the probe reagent. This claim protects the tool used in the methods described in the other claims.

Litigation Status:

As of April 2026, U.S. Patent 11,021,737 is the subject of patent infringement lawsuits. Notably, 10x Genomics, Inc., as an exclusive licensee of the patent from Harvard University, has filed suits against competitors Vizgen, Inc. and Element Biosciences, Inc. in the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware. These cases suggest that the technology covered by this patent is considered foundational for certain commercial spatial biology and genomic analysis platforms. A search of the 2026 dockets for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (CAFC) did not reveal any appeals directly related to patent 11,021,737 at this time. However, it is common for district court patent decisions to be appealed to the CAFC.

Disclaimer: This analysis is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. The legal status and interpretation of patents can be complex and may change over time.