Amino acids, nucleotides and vectors expressing same, and their use in preventing sarbecovirus infections - Patents.com

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a method for making an amino acid construct for the treatment and / or prevention of a sarbecovirus infection, comprising: a. comparing the amino acid sequences of at least two different sarbecovirus spike proteins or fragments thereof; b. identifying identical amino acids in the sequences of the at least two different sarbecovirus spike proteins or fragments thereof; c. removing any different amino acids from the sequences of the at least two different sarbecovirus spike proteins or fragments thereof to identify unique amino acid sequences; and d. forming an amino acid construct of the unique amino acid sequences, the amino acid construct having at least 90% sequence identity to the at least two different sarbecovirus spike proteins or fragments thereof. Also disclosed are amino acid sequences generated using the methods of the present invention.

Description

Related Applications

[0001] REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority to Singapore Patent Application No. 10202105099S, filed on May 15, 2021, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. [Technical field]

[0002]

[0002] The present invention relates generally to proteins and their use in the treatment and / or prevention of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)-associated coronavirus infections, particularly sarbecovirus infections. [Background technology]

[0003] The following discussion of the background of the present invention is intended only to facilitate an understanding of the present invention. It should be understood that this discussion is not an admission or acknowledgement that any of the material referred to was published, publicly known, or part of the common general knowledge of those skilled in the art as of the priority date of the present invention, to any extent.

[0004] Since 2002, we have experienced three major human infectious diseases caused by coronaviruses (CoVs): SARS coronavirus (SARS-CoV) in 2002-2003 (Peiris et al., Nat Med 2004, 10:S88-97), Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) since 2012 (Zaki et al., N Engl J Med 2012, 367:1814-1820), and the ongoing COVID-19 or SARS coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) (Wang et al., Lancet 2020, 395:470-473). All these diseases have caused devastating economic and human losses worldwide. For SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV, we still do not have licensed vaccines to protect us from future infections. With regard to SARS-CoV-2, the unprecedented speed of vaccine development has resulted in many licensed vaccines for human use (Fauci, Science 2021, 372:109).

[0005] However, SARS-CoV-2 variants, such as SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.7 / 20I / 501Y.V1 detected in the UK, SARS-CoV-2 B.1.351 / 20H / 501Y.V2 in South Africa, SARS-CoV-2 P.1 / 20J / 501Y.V3 / B.1.1.248 in Brazil, and SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1427 / B.1.429 in the US (Mascola et al., JAMA 2021, 325:1261-1262; Zhang et al., JAMA 2021, 325(13):1324-1326) and the observed decline in immune protection against new variants from vaccines based on prototype virus strains have raised new challenges regarding the need for broad-spectrum protection against all known and future SARS-CoV-2 variants.

[0006]

[0006] Moreover, many more coronaviruses circulate in wild reservoirs, e.g., SC2r-CoV RaTG13 circulates in bats and SC2r-CoV GX-P5L circulates in pangolins (Wang et al., Curr Opin Virol 2019, 34:79-89; Zhou et al., Nature 2020, 579:270-273; Lam et al., Nature 2020, 583:282-285).

[0007]

[0007] In addition, it is likely that future outbreaks (SARS3, SARS4, etc.) will be caused by different but related coronaviruses (Calistri et al., Microorganisms 2021, 9).

[0008]

[0008] The current classification of coronaviruses is shown in Figure 1. Four genera have been identified: alpha, beta, delta and gamma. The most transmissible coronaviruses for human infection are those of the sarbecovirus group. It has also been found that all sarbecoviruses use angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) as a receptor for entry into human host cells.

[0009]

[0009] Thus, a need exists for a prophylactic or therapeutic vaccine for the treatment and / or prevention of current and any future infections caused by sarbecoviruses. Summary of the Invention

[0010]

[0010] Amino acid constructs, nucleotides, vectors and immunogenic compositions containing or expressing the amino acid sequences for use in preventing and / or treating sarbecovirus infections are contemplated.

[0011]

[0011] In one aspect of the present disclosure, an amino acid construct is provided comprising any one of the amino acid sequences selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 10-22, 164 and 165, the amino acid construct having at least 90% sequence identity to at least two different sarbecovirus spike proteins or fragments thereof.

[0012] In another embodiment there is a nucleic acid encoding the amino acid construct described herein above.

[0013] In another aspect there is an immunogenic composition comprising an amino acid construct as described herein above or a nucleic acid as described herein above.

[0013]

[0014] In another embodiment there is a viral vector comprising a nucleic acid as described herein above.

[0015] In another aspect, there is an amino acid construct as described herein above, a nucleic acid as described herein above, an immunogenic composition as described herein above, a viral vector as described herein above, or a vaccine formulation suitable for use in the treatment or prevention of a sarbecovirus infection.

[0014]

[0016] In another aspect there is the use of an amino acid construct as described herein above, a nucleic acid as described herein above, an immunogenic composition as described herein above, a viral vector as described herein above in the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment or prevention of a sarbecovirus infection.

[0015]

[0017] In another aspect, there is a method for treating and / or preventing an infectious disease caused by a sarbecovirus, comprising administering to a subject a vaccine molecule comprising an amino acid construct as described herein above, a nucleic acid as described herein above, an immunogenic composition as described herein above, or a viral vector as described herein above.

[0016]

[0018] In another aspect, there is a method of making the amino acid construct described herein above, comprising the steps of: a) comparing the amino acid sequences of at least two different sarbecovirus spike proteins or fragments thereof; b) identifying identical amino acids in the sequences of the at least two different sarbecovirus spike proteins or fragments thereof; c) removing any different amino acids from the sequences of the at least two different sarbecovirus spike proteins or fragments thereof to identify unique amino acid sequences; and d) forming an amino construct of the unique amino acid sequences, the amino construct having at least 90% sequence identity to the at least two different sarbecovirus spike proteins or fragments thereof.

[0017]

[0019] Other aspects and features will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon review of the following description of the specific embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0020] In the drawings, embodiments of the present invention are illustrated by way of example only. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1]

[0021] FIG. 1 shows a phylogenetic tree of the four known coronavirus genera. [Diagram 2]

[0022] 1 shows the consensus groups established taking into account phylogenetic relationships and ACE2 receptor usage. [Diagram 3]

[0023] FIG. 1 shows a design method for generating amino acid consensus sequences. [Figure 4]

[0024] FIG. 1 shows a surrogate virus neutralization test (sVNT) that allows rapid multiplex determination of Nabs. [Diagram 5]

[0025] A) Multiplexed sVNTs on the Luminex platform.B) Graph showing that six RBD proteins can bind to the hACE2 receptor molecule in the following order (from highest affinity to lowest): SARS-CoV-2 B.1.351>SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.7=SC2r-CoV GX-P5L (pangolin)>SARS-CoV-2>SARS-CoV>SC2r-CoV RaTG13 (bat). [Figure 6]

[0026] Graph showing multiplex sVNT against six different RBDs (from left to right: SARS-CoV-2 WT, B.1.1.7, B.1.351; bat virus RaTG13; pangolin virus GX-P5L; SARS-CoV). A) SARS patients (N=11); B) COVID-19 patients (N=40); C) Healthy-vaccinated (N=20). Serum samples were obtained 2 weeks after the second dose; D) SARS-vaccinated (N=9). Serum from SARS survivors obtained 21-62 days after the first vaccination. All serum samples were tested at a single dilution of 1:20. A cutoff of 30% was set as pre-determined. [Figure 7]

[0027] Graph showing titration of neutralizing antibody levels (NT50) against six sarbecoviruses in different groups. Serum samples were tested at dilutions ranging from 1:20 to 1:20480 in a four-fold serial titration. [Figure 8]

[0028] Graphs showing the rise of pan-sarbecovirus cross-neutralizing antibodies in SARS-vaccinated groups. Figure 8A shows pan-sarbecovirus neutralization of mAb 5B7D7 against SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern, bat SC2r-CoV RaTG13, pangolin SC2r-CoV GX-P5L, and SARS-CoV, as measured by multiplex sVNT. Figure 8B shows inhibition of 5B7D7 binding to different RBDs by four different panels of sera. [Figure 9]

[0029] 1 is a graph showing the neutralization patterns of rabbit hyperimmune sera targeting different betacoronavirus RBD proteins. [Figure 10]

[0030] FIG. 13 is a graph showing challenge with 20 RBDs of different sarbecoviruses after vaccination with either two doses of 25 μg protein (SEQ ID NO: 165, a variant of SEQ ID NO: 13 with foldon and linker sequences) and sigma adjuvant, or one dose of 25 μg protein (SEQ ID NO: 165) and sigma adjuvant followed by one dose of Sinovac vaccine. [Figure 11]

[0031] Graph showing challenge with 20 RBDs of different sarbecoviruses after vaccination with either two doses of 25 μg protein (SEQ ID NO: 165, a variant of SEQ ID NO: 13 with foldon and linker sequences) and sigma adjuvant, or one dose of 25 μg protein (SEQ ID NO: 165, a variant of SEQ ID NO: 13 with foldon and linker sequences) and sigma adjuvant followed by one dose of Sinovac vaccine. [Figure 12]

[0032] Graph showing comparison of different dosing regimens: the first is 3 doses of the Pfizer BioNTech vaccine; the second is 2 doses of the Pfizer BioNTech vaccine followed by 1 dose of 25 μg of the protein set forth in SEQ ID NO: 165 (a variant of SEQ ID NO: 13 with a foldon and linker sequence) administered with Sigma adjuvant; the third is 2 doses of the Pfizer BioNTech vaccine followed by 1 μg of the protein set forth in SEQ ID NO: 165, a variant of SEQ ID NO: 13 with a foldon and linker sequence; the fourth is 2 doses of the Pfizer BioNTech vaccine followed by 1 dose of saline; and the last is 3 doses of saline. [Figure 13]

[0033] Graph showing comparison of different dosing regimens: the first is three doses of the Moderna vaccine; the second is two doses of the Moderna vaccine followed by one dose of 25 μg of the protein set forth in SEQ ID NO: 165 (a variant of SEQ ID NO: 13 with a foldon and linker sequence) administered with Sigma adjuvant; the third is two doses of the Moderna vaccine followed by one dose of 1 μg of the protein set forth in SEQ ID NO: 165 (a variant of SEQ ID NO: 13 with a foldon and linker sequence); the fourth is two doses of the Moderna vaccine followed by one dose of saline; and the last is three doses of saline. [Figure 14]

[0034] Graph showing comparison of different dosing regimens: the first is 3 doses of Sinovac vaccine; the second is 2 doses of Sinovac vaccine followed by 1 dose of 25 μg of protein set forth in SEQ ID NO: 164 (a variant of SEQ ID NO: 1 with a foldon and linker sequence) administered with Sigma adjuvant; the third is 2 doses of Sinovac vaccine followed by 1 dose of 25 μg of protein set forth in SEQ ID NO: 165 (a variant of SEQ ID NO: 13 with a foldon and linker sequence) administered with Sigma adjuvant; the fourth is 2 doses of Sinovac vaccine followed by 1 μg of protein set forth in SEQ ID NO: 165 (a variant of SEQ ID NO: 13 with a foldon and linker sequence); and the last is 3 doses of saline. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0019]

[0035] The present disclosure provides proteins comprising the amino acid sequence of a sarbecovirus spike protein. Such polypeptides are exemplified below.

[0036] Throughout this document, unless specifically indicated to the contrary, the terms "including," "comprising," "having," and the like, should be construed as open-ended, or in other words, as meaning "including but not limited to."

[0020]

[0037] Furthermore, throughout this specification, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "include" or variations such as "includes" or "including" will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.

[0021]

[0038] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this subject matter belongs.

[0039] In various embodiments, there is an amino acid construct comprising any one of the amino acid sequences selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 10-22, 164 and 165, wherein the amino acid construct has at least 90% sequence identity to at least two different sarbecovirus spike proteins or fragments thereof.

[0022]

[0040] Throughout the specification, the term "sarbecovirus" and its plural forms should be understood to include any betacoronavirus that uses the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor as a portal of entry into cells. In various embodiments, the sarbecovirus includes any betacoronavirus that uses the ACE2 receptor as a portal of entry into cells. In various embodiments, the sarbecovirus includes any betacoronavirus that uses the human ACE2 receptor as a portal of entry into human cells. In various embodiments, the sarbecovirus includes any known or novel sarbecovirus. In various embodiments, the sarbecovirus is selected from the group including or consisting of SARS-CoV, SARS-CoV-2, SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.7, SARS-CoV-2 B.1.351, SC2r-CoV RaTG13, and SC2r-CoV GX-P5L.

[0023]

[0041] In various embodiments, the amino acid construct comprises a sequence designed to have a consensus with two or more different sarbecovirus spike protein sequences or fragments thereof. This allows two or more different sarbecovirus spike protein sequences or fragments thereof to be aligned, all identical amino acids to be retained, and a first mutation is arbitrarily selected from at least one of the sarbecovirus spike protein sequences or fragments thereof, and subsequent mutations are selected from different sarbecovirus spike protein sequences or fragments thereof. Thus, the resulting consensus sequence resembles and shares a common portion with the two or more different sarbecovirus spike protein sequences or fragments thereof from which it is derived, but is distinct from each of them. In various embodiments, the construct may be modified with foldon and linker sequences. The advantage is that when such an amino acid construct is used as an immunogenic composition, it results in an antibody that can neutralize several different sarbecovirus infections, i.e., the protein can be used as a pan-sarbecovirus vaccine.

[0024]

[0042] In various embodiments, the sarbecovirus spike protein refers to a wild-type spike protein identified or isolated from any of the sarbecoviruses listed above, and the fragment thereof refers to a wild-type sarbecovirus receptor binding domain (RBD) of the spike protein that binds to the ACE2 receptor. In various embodiments, the sarbecovirus spike protein comprises a SARS-CoV spike protein having an amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:1. In various embodiments, the sarbecovirus spike protein comprises a SARS-CoV2 spike protein having an amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:2. In various embodiments, the sarbecovirus spike protein comprises any one of the proteins having an amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:23-163. In various embodiments, the spike protein fragment comprises a SARS-CoV RBD having an amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:4. In various embodiments, the spike protein fragment comprises a SARS-CoV2 RBD having an amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:7. In various embodiments, the spike protein fragment comprises an amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:3 or SEQ ID NO:5. In various embodiments, the amino acid construct has at least 75%, e.g., 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or even 99.9% sequence identity to at least two different sarbecovirus spike proteins or fragments thereof. In various embodiments, the amino acid construct has at least 75%, e.g., 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or even 99.9% sequence identity to both a wild type of a spike protein or fragment thereof of a first sarbecovirus and a wild type of a spike protein or fragment thereof of a second sarbecovirus. In various embodiments, the first sarbecovirus can include SARS-CoV and the second sarbecovirus can include SC1r-CoV. In various embodiments, the first sarbecovirus can include SARS-CoV and the second sarbecovirus can include SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.7.In various embodiments, the first sarbecovirus can include SARS-CoV and the second sarbecovirus can include SARS-CoV-2 B.1.351. In various embodiments, the first sarbecovirus can include SARS-CoV-2 and the second sarbecovirus can include SC2r-CoV. In various embodiments, the first sarbecovirus can include SARS-CoV-2 and the second sarbecovirus can include SC2r-CoV. In various embodiments, the first sarbecovirus may be selected from any one of SARS-CoV-2, the Brazilian SARS-CoV-2 variant P.1, also known as 20J / 501Y.V3 / B.1.1.248, the UK SARS-CoV-2 variant B.1.1.7, the South African SARS-CoV-2 variant B.1.351, also known as 20H / 501Y.V2 or 501Y.V2 variant, the Indian SARS-CoV-2 variant B1.617, SC2r-CoV RaTG13, and SC2r-CoV GX-P5L, provided that the second sarbecovirus is different from the first sarbecovirus, and may be selected from any one of SARS-CoV, SARS-CoV-2, SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.7, SARS-CoV-2 B.1.351, SARS-CoV-2 The antigen may be selected from any one of B1.617, SC2r-CoV RaTG13, and SC2r-CoV GX-P5L.

[0025]

[0043] Throughout this specification, the term "isolated" should be understood to include those purified by standard purification methods. This does not require absolute purity, but can include proteins, peptides, nucleic acids or vaccine molecules that are at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98%, or 99% isolated.

[0026]

[0044] In various embodiments, the at least two different sarbecovirus spike proteins or fragments include an amino acid sequence having at least 90%, e.g., 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or even 99.9% sequence identity to at least two sarbecovirus spike proteins, and an amino acid sequence having at least 90%, e.g., 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or even 99.9% sequence identity to two or more different sarbecovirus spike proteins or fragments thereof. In various embodiments, the at least two different sarbecovirus spike proteins or fragments include sarbecovirus spike proteins, and fragments of different sarbecovirus spike proteins.

[0027]

[0045] In various embodiments, the fragment comprises a receptor binding domain fragment of a sarbecovirus spike protein.

[0046] In various embodiments, the amino acid sequence comprises or consists of any one of the sequences selected from SEQ ID NOs: 10-22 or 165, or any combination thereof. In various embodiments, the amino acid sequence comprises or consists of a construct designed to have at least 75% sequence identity with at least two of any one of the sequences selected from SEQ ID NOs: 1-9 or 23-163.

[0028]

[0047] In various embodiments, the amino acid construct comprises the consensus sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:10.

[0048] In various embodiments, the amino acid construct comprises the consensus sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:11.

[0029]

[0049] In various embodiments, the amino acid construct comprises the consensus sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:12.

[0050] In various embodiments, the amino acid construct comprises the consensus sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:13.

[0030]

[0051] In various embodiments, the amino acid construct comprises the consensus sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:14.

[0052] In various embodiments, the amino acid construct comprises the consensus sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:15.

[0031]

[0053] In various embodiments, the amino acid construct comprises the consensus sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:16.

[0054] In various embodiments, the amino acid construct comprises the consensus sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:17.

[0032]

[0055] In various embodiments, the amino acid construct comprises the consensus sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:18.

[0056] In various embodiments, the amino acid construct comprises the consensus sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:19.

[0033]

[0057] In various embodiments, the amino acid construct comprises the consensus sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:20.

[0058] In various embodiments, the amino acid construct comprises the consensus sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:21.

[0034]

[0059] In various embodiments, the amino acid construct comprises the consensus sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:22.

[0060] In various embodiments, the amino acid construct comprises a foldon and a linker sequence. In various embodiments, the amino acid construct comprising a foldon and a linker sequence comprises the consensus sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 164 or SEQ ID NO: 165.

[0035]

[0062] In various embodiments, the amino acid construct comprises an oligomeric polypeptide. In various embodiments, the oligomeric polypeptide comprises a hetero-oligomer.

[0063] In various embodiments, the polypeptide is a fusion dimer.

[0036]

[0064] In various embodiments, there is a nucleic acid that encodes the amino acid construct described herein above.

[0065] In various embodiments, the nucleic acid comprises messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA).

[0037]

[0066] In various embodiments, the nucleic acid is RNA. The term "RNA" includes a ribonucleic acid (RNA) polynucleotide having an open reading frame encoding a polypeptide of an amino acid construct capable of inducing an immune response against one or more sarbecovirus infections. In various embodiments, it includes at least one ribonucleic acid (RNA) polynucleotide having an open reading frame encoding an amino acid construct capable of inducing an immune response against two or more different sarbecovirus infections, where the amino acid construct is as described herein above.

[0038]

[0067] In various embodiments there is an immunogenic composition comprising an amino acid construct as described herein above or a nucleic acid as described herein above.

[0068] In various embodiments, the immunogenic composition comprises a recombinant sarbecovirus spike ectodomain trimer that induces or induces a measurable response against the sarbecovirus when administered to a subject. For in vivo use, the immunogenic composition typically comprises a nucleic acid molecule encoding a recombinant coronavirus spike ectodomain trimer, or a protomer of a recombinant coronavirus spike ectodomain trimer, in a pharma- ceutically acceptable carrier, and may include other agents, such as an adjuvant.

[0039]

[0069] In various embodiments, the adjuvant comprises MF59, Adjuvant System03 (AS03), CpG1018, or Sigma Adjuvant System (S6322).

[0040]

[0070] In various embodiments, the immunogenic composition comprises at least two amino acid constructs capable of eliciting or inducing a measurable response against a sarbecovirus when administered to a subject, in various embodiments, the subject or individual is an animal, e.g., a mammal, e.g., a human, at risk of exposure to a sarbecovirus infection.

[0041]

[0071] In various embodiments, the immunogenic composition is an RNA vaccine. The term "RNA vaccine" includes a vaccine having a ribonucleic acid (RNA) polynucleotide having an open reading frame encoding an amino acid construct capable of inducing an immune response against a sarbecovirus infection. In various embodiments, the immunogenic composition includes at least one ribonucleic acid (RNA) polynucleotide having an open reading frame encoding two or more amino acid constructs capable of inducing an immune response against a sarbecovirus infection.

[0042]

[0072] In various embodiments, the immunogenic composition comprises the amino acid construct described herein above, or the nucleic acid described herein above encapsulated in lipid nanoparticles.In various embodiments, the immunogenic composition is an mRNA vaccine comprising lipid nanoparticles.In various embodiments, the immunogenic composition comprises a prefusion stabilized spike-RBD-adjuvant trimer.

[0043]

[0073] In various embodiments, the amino acid construct having at least 75% sequence identity to a sarbecovirus RBD fragment comprises a recombinant RBD (rRBD). In various embodiments, the immunogenic composition comprises two dimeric forms selected from a tandem dimer and a rRBD-Fc fusion dimer.

[0044]

[0074] In various embodiments, the immunogenic composition comprises a carrier. In various embodiments, the carrier is any one of a lipid nanoparticle (LNP), a polymeric nanoparticle, a lipid carrier, such as a lipidoid, a liposome, a lipoplex, a peptide carrier, a nanoparticle mimic, a nanotube, or a conjugate.

[0045]

[0075] In various embodiments, there is a viral vector that comprises a nucleic acid as described herein above.

[0076] In various embodiments, the vector is selected from a recombinant measles virus vector, a vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) vector, a vaccinia virus vector, or an adenovirus vector.

[0046]

[0077] In various embodiments there is an amino acid construct as described herein above for use in the treatment or prevention of a sarbecovirus infection.

[0078] In various embodiments there is an immunogenic composition as described herein above for use in the treatment and / or prevention of a sarbecovirus infection.

[0047]

[0079] In various embodiments there is the use of an amino acid construct as described herein above in the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment and / or prevention of a sarbecovirus infection.

[0048]

[0080] In various embodiments there is a use of the immunogenic composition described herein above in the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment and / or prevention of a sarbecovirus infection.

[0049]

[0081] In various embodiments, there is a use of a method for treating and / or preventing an infectious disease caused by a sarbecovirus, comprising administering to a subject a vaccine molecule comprising an amino acid construct as described herein above, an immunogenic composition as described herein above, or a viral vector as described herein above.

[0050]

[0082] In various embodiments, a method for inducing an immune response in a mammalian subject comprises administering to the mammalian subject a therapeutically effective amount of an immunogenic composition described herein above.

[0051]

[0083] In various embodiments, there are methods of making the amino acid constructs described herein above, comprising: a) comparing the amino acid sequences of at least two different sarbecovirus spike proteins or fragments thereof; b) identifying identical amino acids in the sequences of the at least two different sarbecovirus spike proteins or fragments thereof; c) removing any different amino acids from the sequences of the at least two different sarbecovirus spike proteins or fragments thereof to identify unique amino acid sequences; and d) forming amino constructs of the unique amino acid sequences, the amino constructs having at least 75% sequence identity to the at least two different sarbecovirus spike proteins or fragments thereof.

[0052]

[0084] In various embodiments, the method for making the amino acid construct further comprises modifying the unique amino acid sequence with a foldon and a linker sequence. The C-terminal domain (foldon) of T4 fibritin is known for forming the fibritin trimer structure and can be used as an artificial trimerization domain. In various embodiments, the linker comprises a His6 tag.

[0053]

[0085] In various embodiments, the at least two different sarbecovirus spike proteins or fragments thereof include any one of 2, 5, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 110, 120, 130, 140, 150, 160, and 170 different sarbecovirus spike proteins or fragments thereof. In various embodiments, the at least two different sarbecovirus spike proteins or fragments thereof include a plurality of sarbecovirus spike proteins or fragments thereof. In various embodiments, the plurality of sarbecovirus spike proteins or fragments thereof includes 50-100, 80-150, 100-200 different sarbecovirus spike proteins or fragments thereof. In various embodiments, step a) comprises comparing amino acid sequences of the plurality of different sarbecovirus spike proteins or fragments thereof, step b) comprises identifying amino acid sequences of the plurality of different sarbecovirus spike proteins or fragments thereof that exceed a predetermined sequence identity to a majority of the plurality of different sarbecovirus spike proteins or fragments thereof, and step c) comprises removing any amino acid sequences from the plurality of different sarbecovirus spike proteins or fragments thereof that are less than a predetermined sequence identity to a majority of the plurality of different sarbecovirus spike proteins or fragments thereof. In various embodiments, the predetermined sequence identity is 85%, or 90%, or 95%, or 96%, or 97%, or 98%, or 99%.

[0054]

[0086] In various embodiments, the method further comprises identifying fragments in the unique amino acid sequence that correspond to receptor binding domains of at least two different sarbecovirus spike proteins to form a unique amino acid fragment sequence, and forming an amino construct of the combined unique amino acid fragment sequences having a unique amino acid sequence.

[0055]

[0087] In various embodiments, forming the amino construct in step d) comprises forming a nucleic acid encoding the amino acid construct capable of expressing the amino acid construct.

[0056]

[0088] In various embodiments, the nucleic acid comprises messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA).

[0089] In various embodiments, the amino acid construct, or a nucleic acid encoding the amino acid construct capable of expressing the amino acid construct, is prepared as an immunogenic composition.

[0057]

[0090] In various embodiments, the immunogenic composition comprises an adjuvant.

[0091] In various embodiments, the nucleic acid is prepared in a viral vector.

[0092] In various embodiments, the vector is selected from a recombinant measles virus vector, a vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) vector, a vaccinia virus vector, or an adenovirus vector.

[0058]

[0093] Throughout this specification, the term "polypeptide" is used interchangeably with protein or peptide and should be understood to include amino acid polymers, including naturally occurring and non-naturally occurring amino acid polymers. Polypeptides have an amino terminus (N-terminus) and a carboxy terminus (C-terminus).

[0059]

[0094] In various embodiments, the amino acid construct comprises the consensus amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:10, SEQ ID NO:11, SEQ ID NO:12, SEQ ID NO:13, SEQ ID NO:14, SEQ ID NO:15, SEQ ID NO:16, SEQ ID NO:17, SEQ ID NO:18, SEQ ID NO:19, SEQ ID NO:20, SEQ ID NO:21, SEQ ID NO:22, SEQ ID NO:164 or SEQ ID NO:165.

[0060]

[0095] In various embodiments, the amino acid construct having at least 75% sequence identity to a sarbecovirus spike protein comprises the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:1, SEQ ID NO:10, SEQ ID NO:11, SEQ ID NO:12, SEQ ID NO:13, SEQ ID NO:14, SEQ ID NO:15, SEQ ID NO:16, SEQ ID NO:17, SEQ ID NO:164, or SEQ ID NO:165.

[0061]

[0096] In various embodiments, there is an amino acid construct having at least 75% sequence identity to a sarbecovirus receptor binding domain (RBD) protein comprising the consensus amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:4, SEQ ID NO:18, SEQ ID NO:19, SEQ ID NO:20, SEQ ID NO:21, SEQ ID NO:22, SEQ ID NO:164, or SEQ ID NO:165.

[0062]

[0097] In various embodiments, an amino acid construct having at least 75% sequence identity to a sarbecovirus spike protein may have a minimum length of one of 25, 50, 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, 1,000, 1,100 or 1,200 amino acids and a maximum length of one of 50, 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, 1,000, 1,100 or 1,200 amino acids.

[0063]

[0098] In various embodiments, an amino acid construct having at least 75% sequence identity to a sarbecovirus receptor binding domain (RBD) protein may have a minimum length of one of 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 100, 150, 200 amino acids and a maximum length of one of 20, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 100, 150, 200 amino acids.

[0064]

[0099] Working Example

[0100] array

[0065] [Table 1-1]

[0066]

Table 1-2

[0067]

Table 1-3

[0068]

Table 1-4

[0069]

Table 1-5

[0070]

Table 1-6

[0071]

Table 1-7

[0072]

Table 1-8

[0073]

Table 1-9

[0074]

Table 1-10

[0075]

Table 1-11

[0076]

Table 1-12

[0077]

Table 1-13

[0078]

Table 1-14

[0079]

Table 1-15

[0080]

Table 1-16

[0081]

Table 1-17

[0082]

Table 1-18

[0083]

Table 1-19

[0084]

Table 1-20

[0085]

Table 1-21

[0086]

Table 1-22

[0087]

Table 1-23

[0088]

Table 1-24

[0089]

Table 1-25

[0090]

Table 1-26

[0091]

Table 1-27

[0092]

Table 1-28

[0093]

Table 1-29

[0094]

Table 1-30

[0095]

Table 1-31

[0096]

Table 1-32

[0097]

Table 1-33

[0098]

Table 1-34

[0099]

Table 1-35

[0100]

Table 1-36

[0101]

Table 1-37

[0102]

Table 1-38

[0103]

Table 1-39

[0104]

Table 1-40

[0105]

Table 1-41

[0106]

Table 1-42

[0107]

Table 1-43

[0108]

Table 1-44

[0109]

Table 1-45

[0110]

Table 1-46

[0111]

Table 1-47

[0112]

Table 1-48

[0113]

Table 1-49

[0114]

Table 1-50

[0115]

Table 1-51

[0116]

Table 1-52

[0117]

Table 1-53

[0118]

Table 1-54

[0119]

Table 1-55

[0120]

Table 1-56

[0121]

Table 1-57

[0122]

Table 1-58

[0123]

Table 1-59

[0124]

Table 1-60

[0125]

Table 1-61

[0126]

Table 1-62

[0127]

Table 1-63

[0128]

Table 1-64

[0129]

Table 1-65

[0130]

Table 1-66

[0131]

Table 1-67

[0132]

Table 1-68

[0133]

Table 1-69

[0134]

Table 1-70

[0135]

Table 1-71

[0136]

Table 1-72

[0137]

Table 1-73

[0138]

Table 1-74

[0139]

Table 1-75

[0140] [Table 1-76]

[0141] [Table 1-77]

[0142] [Table 1-78]

[0143] [Table 1-79]

[0144] [Table 1-80]

[0145] [Table 1-81]

[0146] [Table 1-82]

[0147] [Table 1-83]

[0148]

[0101] Figure 2 shows multiple consensus sequences formed from the various sequences listed above.

[0102] In various embodiments, the consensus sequence comprises the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:4.

[0149]

[0103] In various embodiments, the consensus sequence comprises the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NOs:77-163.

[0104] In various embodiments, the consensus sequence comprises amino acids 303-571 of the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NOs:77-163.

[0150]

[0105] In various embodiments, the consensus sequence includes the amino acid sequences set forth in SEQ ID NO: 4 and SEQ ID NOs: 53-62, or any combination thereof.

[0106] In various embodiments, the consensus sequence includes the amino acid sequences set forth in SEQ ID NO: 4 and SEQ ID NOs: 53-62, or any combination thereof.

[0151]

[0107] In various embodiments, the consensus sequence includes the amino acid sequences set forth in SEQ ID NO: 4, SEQ ID NOs: 53-62, and SEQ ID NOs: 63-65, or any combination thereof.

[0108] In various embodiments, the consensus sequence includes the amino acid sequences set forth in SEQ ID NO: 7 and SEQ ID NOs: 66-74, or any combination thereof.

[0152]

[0109] In various embodiments, the consensus sequence comprises the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:7.

[0110] In various embodiments, the consensus sequence includes the amino acid sequences set forth in SEQ ID NO: 7, SEQ ID NOs: 66-74, and SEQ ID NOs: 75-76, or any combination thereof.

[0153]

[0111] In various embodiments, the consensus sequence includes the amino acid sequences set forth in SEQ ID NO: 4, SEQ ID NOs: 53-62, SEQ ID NOs: 63-65, SEQ ID NO: 7, SEQ ID NOs: 66-74, and SEQ ID NOs: 75-76, or any combination thereof.

[0154]

[0112] In various embodiments, the consensus sequence includes the amino acid sequences set forth in SEQ ID NO:1 and SEQ ID NOs:23-35, or any combination thereof.

[0113] In various embodiments, the consensus sequence includes the amino acid sequences set forth in SEQ ID NO:1, SEQ ID NOs:23-35, and SEQ ID NOs:36-38, or any combination thereof.

[0155]

[0114] In various embodiments, the consensus sequence includes the amino acid sequences set forth in SEQ ID NO: 2 and SEQ ID NOs: 39-50, or any combination thereof.

[0115] In various embodiments, the consensus sequence comprises the amino acid sequences set forth in SEQ ID NO: 2, SEQ ID NOs: 39-50, and SEQ ID NOs: 51-52, or any combination thereof.

[0156]

[0116] In various embodiments, the consensus sequence includes the amino acid sequences set forth in SEQ ID NO:1, SEQ ID NO:2, SEQ ID NOs:23-35, SEQ ID NOs:36-38, SEQ ID NOs:39-50 and SEQ ID NOs:51-52, or any combination thereof.

[0157]

[0117] In various embodiments, the sarbecovirus is selected from the group including SARS-CoV, SARS-CoV-2, SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.7, SARS-CoV-2 B.1.351, SC2r-CoV RaTG13, SC2r-CoV GX-P5L, and variants of concern (VOC) in combination with SARS-CoV.

[0158]

[0118] Figure 3 shows the method used to generate the consensus sequence.

[0119] The terms SARS1r hACE2 / batACE2 spike, SARS1r hACE2 spike, SARS2r hACE2 spike, SARS2r hACE2 / batACE2 spike, SARS1r / SARS2r hACE2 spike, or SARS1r / SARS2r hACE2 / batACE2 spike should be understood to be a reference to SEQ ID NOs: 23-52.

[0159]

[0120] The terms SARS1r hACE RBD, SARS1r hACE2 / batACE2 RBD, SARS2r hACE2 RBD, SARS2r hACE / batACE2 RBD, SARS1r / SARS2r hACE2 RBD, or SARS1r / SARS2r hACE2 / batACE2 RBD should be understood to be a reference to SEQ ID NOs: 53-76.

[0160]

[0121] The term SARS-CoV VOC or SARS-CoV-2 VOC should be understood to be a reference to SEQ ID NOs: 77 to 163.

[0122] The method for generating consensus sequences from sarbecovirus genotypes includes the steps of: a) obtaining sarbecovirus spike protein sequences (excluding human SARS-CoV2) directly from the NCBI protein database and processing them in R (v4.0.2) to filter complete protein sequences, or obtaining sarbecovirus spike protein sequences (excluding human SARS-CoV2) by determining the corresponding nucleic acid using a genome database such as GISAID genome; b) searching and processing the GISAID SARS-CoV2 spike protein mutation reports using an in-house script in R (v4.0.2) to calculate the most frequent mutations per position using a microprocessor; and c) filtering the SARS-CoV2 reference sequence and the combined Variants of Concern (VOC) sequences (e.g., SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.7 and / or SARS-CoV-2 The method includes steps of: creating a phylogenetic tree of 163 unique spike sequences and 81 unique RBD sequences (B.1.351); d) importing the 163 unique spike sequences and 81 unique RBD sequences into a microprocessor such as Geneious Prime (v2021.0) for further analysis after redundancy removal using CD-hit (v4.8.1); d) performing protein alignment using MAFFT and plotting a phylogenetic tree using PhyML; e) inferring human ACE2, bat ACE2 and non-ACE2 lineages from the RBD phylogenetic tree and validating them with experimental evidence and literature research; and f) generating consensus sequences of the RBD and non-RBD regions based on the highest frequency per amino acid position in the lineages and combining the initial sequences to establish eight consensus sequences.

[0161] It should be understood that the efficacy of SARS survivors vaccinated with the Pfizer-BioNTech mRNA SARS-CoV-2 vaccine BNT162b2 may be comparable to that using the consensus sequence generated in this disclosure. Thus, for purposes of the following examples, they provide one example of how amino acid constructs may work. EXAMPLES

[0162] Example 1: A human serum panel study was performed. The four serum panels included in this study were described as follows: (1) SARS-patients (n=11): These were sera collected from SARS survivors in Singapore at different time points (2003, 2012 and 2020) before the vaccination program was launched in February 2021; (2) COVID-19-patients (n=40): This group of sera was collected during 2020 as part of a national longitudinal study

[19] ; ​​(3) Healthy-vaccinated (n=20): These were sera collected 14 days after the second dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine (or 35 days after the first dose); (4) SARS-vaccinated (n=9): Sera obtained from SARS survivors 21–62 days after the first vaccination.

[0163] FIG. 4 shows a surrogate virus neutralization test (sVNT) that enabled rapid multiplex determination of Nabs.

[0127] We further improved sVNT in two aspects: 1) we immobilized the viral RBD on a solid phase (magnetic beads) and used PE-ACE2 to measure virus-receptor binding, which allows for multiplexed detection of NAbs against different sarbecoviruses (Figure 5); 2) we extended the RBD proteins to six different viruses. As shown in Figure 5, multiplex sVNT on the Luminex platform shows that all six RBD proteins can bind to the hACE2 receptor molecule as expected, in the following order (from highest to lowest affinity): SARS-CoV-2 B.1.351>SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.7=SC2r-CoV GX-P5L (pangolin)>SARS-CoV-2>SARS-CoV>SC2r-CoV RaTG13 (bat).

[0164]

[0128] Multiple sVNTs based on RBDs from six different sarbecoviruses AviTag biotinylated RBD was coated onto MagPlex Avidin microspheres (Luminex) at 5 μg per million beads. In multiplex sVNT, RBD-coated microspheres (600 beads / antigen) were pre-incubated with serum at a final concentration of 1:20 or more for 1 hour at 37° C. with agitation at 800 rpm. After 1 hour incubation, 50 μl of PE-conjugated hACE2 (GenScript, 1000 ng / ml) was added to the wells and incubated at 37° C. for 30 minutes with agitation, followed by two washes with PBS-1% BSA. Data were acquired using the MAGPIX system.

[0165] FIG. 6 shows multiplex sVNT against six different RBDs (from left to right: SARS-CoV-2 WT, UK, SA strains; Bat virus RaTG13; Pangolin virus GX-P5L; SARS-CoV). A) SARS patient. B) COVID-19 patient. C) Healthy-vaccinated. Serum samples were obtained 2 weeks after the second dose. D) SARS-vaccinated. All serum samples were tested at a single dilution of 1:20. A cutoff of 30% was set as pre-determined.

[0166]

[0131] The cross-NAb data demonstrated two very important observations: the first is that vaccinated SARS survivors developed very high NAbs against all viruses studied, even against bat and pangolin viruses (Panel D), and the second is that they neutralized SARS-CoV-2 mutant strains better than naive individuals who received the usual two doses (Panel C).

[0167]

[0132] SARS patients had minimal cross-NAbs to any of the other five viruses before vaccination (Panel A), whereas COVID-19 patients had cross-NAbs to other viruses (all of which were SARS-CoV-2 related) and little cross-NAbs to SARS-CoV (Panel B).

[0168]

[0133] Serial dilutions were used to further demonstrate the best performance of pan-sarbecovirus cross-neutralization by the SARS-vaccinated group.

[0134] Figure 7 shows the titration of neutralizing antibody levels (NT50) against six sarbecoviruses in different groups. Serum samples were tested at dilutions from 1:20 to 1:20480 by four-fold serial titration. SAR-vaccination shows the highest log NT50 titer values ​​against all six sarbecoviruses. EXAMPLES

[0169] Example 2: Mouse studies Pan-Sarbecovirus mAb Inhibition Assay RBD-coated microspheres (600 beads / antigen) were preincubated with serum diluted 1:100 for 1 h at 37° C. with agitation. Unbound antibodies were removed by two washes with PBS-1% BSA. Pan-sarbecovirus mAb (1000 ng / ml) was then added, followed by incubation for 1 h at 37° C. with agitation and subsequent washing. Binding of pan-sarbecovirus mAb to RBD was detected by a PE-conjugated anti-mouse IgG antibody. Data were acquired using the MAGPIX system.

[0170] As shown in Figure 8A, the mAbs are able to neutralize all six viruses, albeit with a slightly lower efficacy against GX-P5L. Using the same principle blocking assay as for sVNT, but replacing PE-hACE2 with mAbs, we determined the ability of four different serum panels to block the ability of the mAbs to neutralize (Figure 8B).

[0171] It should be noted that the cross-neutralizing capacity of the SARS-vaccinated group is the best among the four groups. Secondly, during natural infection (either SARS or COVID-19), the activation of cross-neutralizing antibodies across the two lineages representing SC2r-CoV and SARS-CoV is minimal. Thirdly, mRNA vaccination enhanced the overall neutralizing capacity against SCr2-CoV but had minimal impact on cross-neutralization against SARS-CoV. EXAMPLES

[0172] Example 3: Rabbit Study

[0141] Multiplex sVNT analysis using rabbit hyperimmune sera targeting the RBD of six different betacoronaviruses

[0142] Rabbit anti-RBD serum was produced through a commercial agreement with GenScript Biotech. Testing was performed essentially as described for the mouse studies. Rabbit serum was used in 4-fold serial dilutions starting at 1:20.

[0173]

[0143] Figure 9 shows the neutralization patterns of rabbit hyperimmune sera targeting different betacoronavirus RBD proteins. The data shown in Figure 9 demonstrate that cross-neutralization is restricted to the strain / lineage level only in the five SC2r-CoVs. There was no cross-neutralization between SC2r-CoV and SARS-CoV, and the negative control HKU1 did not neutralize any virus / strain as shown. The data confirm virus / strain-specific immunodominant antibodies similar to the results shown for the human serum panel and mouse studies using rabbit hyperimmune sera targeting specific viruses / strains.

[0174]

[0144] It should be understood that the amino acid constructs referred to herein above and in Figure 2 may be used to form rabbit anti-amino acid construct sera or rabbit anti-consensus sequence sera to test against the six different sarbecoviruses used in the mouse study above, or the six different betacoronaviruses used in the rabbit study above. EXAMPLES

[0175] Example 4 Vaccination with Exemplary Proteins 25 μg of the protein set forth in SEQ ID NO: 165 (a variant of SEQ ID NO: 13 with foldon and linker) was administered with Sigma Adjuvant System (S6322) in two doses 21 days apart. Concurrently, a second dosing regimen was administered with Sigma adjuvant, with a first dose of the protein set forth in SEQ ID NO: 165 (a variant of SEQ ID NO: 13 with foldon and linker), followed by a second dose of Sinovac vaccine alone. Serum from these administered subjects was extracted for RBD antigen challenge.

[0176]

[0147] Twenty RBDs from different sarbecoviruses were coated onto separate microspheres. Each of the twenty RBD-coated microspheres (600 beads / antigen) was pre-incubated with serum diluted 1:100 for 1 hour at 37°C with agitation. Unbound antibodies were removed by two washes with PBS-1% BSA. Subject serum (1000ng / ml) was then added, followed by incubation for 1 hour at 37°C with agitation, and then washing. Binding of any antibodies formed in the subjects to the various RBDs was detected by a PE-conjugated anti-mouse IgG antibody. Data were acquired using the MAGPIX system.

[0177]

[0148] Two doses of the protein set forth in SEQ ID NO:165 (a variant of SEQ ID NO:13 with a foldon and linker) administered with Sigma adjuvant induced higher titers overall across all 20 RBD antigen challenges administered compared to a dosing regimen of one dose of the protein set forth in SEQ ID NO:165 (a variant of SEQ ID NO:13 with a foldon and linker) administered with Sigma adjuvant followed by a second dose of the Sinovac vaccine alone (see Figure 10).

[0178] The same experiment was repeated using RBDs from 20 different sarbecoviruses and strains, including new variants of concern. As can be seen in Figure 11, two doses of the protein set forth in SEQ ID NO: 165 (a variant of SEQ ID NO: 13 with a foldon and linker) (25ug) administered with Sigma adjuvant induced higher titers across all 20 RBDs tested compared to a first dose of the protein set forth in SEQ ID NO: 165 (a variant of SEQ ID NO: 13 with a foldon and linker) administered with Sigma adjuvant followed by a second dose of the Sinovac vaccine alone. EXAMPLES

[0179] Example 5 Exemplary Protein-Based Boosters

[0151] Different dosing regimens were compared: the first was three doses of the Pfizer BioNTech vaccine; the second was two doses of the Pfizer BioNTech vaccine followed by one dose of 25 μg of the protein described in SEQ ID NO: 165 (a variant of SEQ ID NO: 13 with a foldon and linker) administered with Sigma adjuvant; the third was two doses of the Pfizer BioNTech vaccine followed by one dose of 1 μg of the protein described in SEQ ID NO: 165 (a variant of SEQ ID NO: 13 with a foldon and linker); the fourth was two doses of the Pfizer BioNTech vaccine followed by one dose of saline; and the last was three doses of saline.

[0180] As seen in FIG. 12, two doses of the Pfizer BioNTech vaccine followed by one dose of the protein set forth in SEQ ID NO:165 (a variant of SEQ ID NO:13 with a foldon and linker) administered with or without Sigma adjuvant inhibited all clade 1 sarbecoviruses better than three doses of the Pfizer BioNTech vaccine both 7 and 14 days after dose 3.

[0181]

[0153] Different dosing regimens were compared: the first was three doses of the Moderna vaccine; the second was two doses of the Moderna vaccine followed by one dose of 25 μg of the protein set forth in SEQ ID NO: 165 (a variant of SEQ ID NO: 13 with a foldon and linker) administered with Sigma adjuvant; the third was two doses of the Moderna vaccine followed by one dose of 1 μg of the protein set forth in SEQ ID NO: 165 (a variant of SEQ ID NO: 13 with a foldon and linker); the fourth was two doses of the Moderna vaccine followed by one dose of saline; and the final was three doses of saline.

[0182] As seen in FIG. 13, two doses of the Pfizer BioNTech vaccine followed by one dose of the protein set forth in SEQ ID NO:165 (a variant of SEQ ID NO:13 with a foldon and linker) administered with or without Sigma adjuvant inhibited all clade 1 sarbecoviruses better than three doses of the Pfizer BioNTech vaccine both 7 and 14 days after dose 3.

[0183]

[0155] Different dosing regimens were compared: the first was three doses of the Sinovac vaccine; the second was two doses of the Sinovac vaccine followed by one dose of 25 μg of the protein described in SEQ ID NO: 164 (a variant of SEQ ID NO: 1, with a foldon and linker sequence) administered with Sigma adjuvant; the third was two doses of the Sinovac vaccine followed by one dose of 25 μg of the protein described in SEQ ID NO: 165 (a variant of SEQ ID NO: 13, with a foldon and linker sequence) administered with Sigma adjuvant; the fourth was two doses of the Sinovac vaccine followed by one dose of 1 μg of the protein described in SEQ ID NO: 165 (a variant of SEQ ID NO: 13, with a foldon and linker sequence); and the last was three doses of saline.

[0184] As seen in FIG. 14, two doses of Sinovac vaccine followed by one dose of the protein set forth in SEQ ID NO:165 (a variant of SEQ ID NO:13 with foldon and linker sequences) administered with or without Sigma adjuvant inhibited all clade 1 sarbecoviruses better than three doses of Sinovac vaccine both 7 and 14 days after dose 3. Two doses of Sinovac vaccine followed by one dose of the protein set forth in SEQ ID NO:165 (a variant of SEQ ID NO:13 with foldon and linker sequences) administered with Sigma adjuvant inhibited all clade 1 and clade 2 sarbecoviruses better than two doses of Sinovac vaccine followed by one dose of the protein set forth in SEQ ID NO:164 (a variant of SEQ ID NO:1 with foldon and linker sequences) administered with Sigma adjuvant both 7 and 14 days after dose 3. Since the same modifications of the foldon and linker were applied in SEQ ID NO: 165 and SEQ ID NO: 164, the results reflected a better booster effect of SEQ ID NO: 13 than the native SARS-CoV-1 shown as SEQ ID NO: 1.

[0185]

[0157] It should be understood by those skilled in the art that the above invention is not limited to the described embodiments. It is apparent that modifications and improvements can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0186]

[0158] It should further be understood by those skilled in the art that one or more of the above modifications and improvements, which are not mutually exclusive, may be further combined to form further embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. An amino acid construct comprising any one of the amino acid sequences selected from SEQ ID NOs: 13, 165, 10 - 12, and 14 - 22.

2. The amino acid construct according to claim 1, wherein the amino acid sequence comprises a foldon and a linker sequence.

3. The amino acid construct according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the amino acid sequence comprises the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 13 or 165.

4. A nucleic acid encoding the amino acid construct according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The nucleic acid according to claim 4, comprising messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA).

6. An immunogenic composition comprising the amino acid construct according to any one of claims 1 to 3, or the nucleic acid according to claim 4 or 5.

7. The immunogenic composition according to claim 6, further comprising an adjuvant.

8. A viral vector comprising the nucleic acid according to claim 4 or 5.

9. The viral vector according to claim 8, selected from a recombinant measles virus vector, a vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) vector, a vaccinia virus vector, or an adenovirus vector.

10. A medicament for the treatment or prevention of an infectious disease caused by a sarbecovirus, comprising, as an active ingredient, the amino acid construct according to any one of claims 1 to 3, the nucleic acid according to claim 4 or 5, the immunogenic composition according to claim 6 or 7, or the viral vector according to claim 8 or 9.

11. The sarbecovirus is selected from the group consisting of SARS-CoV, SARS-CoV-2, SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.7, SARS-CoV-2 B.1.351, SC2r-CoV RaTG13, and SC2r-CoV GX-P5L, the medicament according to claim 10.

12. A method for producing an amino acid construct for the treatment and / or prevention of a sarbecovirus infection, a. comparing the amino acid sequences of at least two different sarbecovirus spike proteins or fragments thereof; b. identifying the identical amino acids in the sequences of the at least two different sarbecovirus spike proteins or fragments thereof; c. removing any different amino acids from the sequences of the at least two different sarbecovirus spike proteins or fragments thereof to identify a unique amino acid sequence. d. forming an amino construct of said unique amino acid sequence, said amino construct having at least 90% sequence identity to said at least two different sarbecovirus spike proteins or fragments thereof; A method comprising:

13. 13. The method of claim 12, further comprising modifying the unique amino acid sequence with a foldon and linker sequence.

14. 14. The method of claim 12 or 13, wherein forming an amino construct in step d comprises forming a nucleic acid encoding said amino acid construct.

15. The method of claim 12 or 13, wherein the amino acid construct or a nucleic acid encoding the amino acid construct is formulated as an immunogenic composition.

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