Virus-like particle vaccines against respiratory syncytial virus

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to targeting respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and methods of using such vaccines to treat infections caused by RSV, particularly lower respiratory tract infections (LRTI). In one aspect, a pharmaceutical composition is provided herein, comprising a protein complex comprising a first component comprising a RSV F protein and a first multimerization domain, and a second component comprising a second multimerization domain, and one or more pharma- ceutically acceptable diluents or excipients. In some embodiments, the pharmaceutical composition comprises an oil-in-water adjuvant. In some embodiments, the pharmaceutical composition comprises an aluminum hydroxide adjuvant. In some embodiments, the protein complex is an icosahedral protein complex. In some embodiments, the protein complex comprises 20 copies of the first component and 12 copies of the second component.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] Related Applications This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 367,103, filed June 27, 2022, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 231,568, filed August 10, 2021, each of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

[0002] INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING This application contains a Sequence Listing that was submitted in ASCII format via EFS-WEB, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. Said ASCII copy, created on August 8, 2022, is named 061291-506001WO_ST26.txt and is 40 kilobytes in size.

[0003] Field of Disclosure The present disclosure relates to vaccines against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). [Background technology]

[0004] background Respiratory syncytial virus is a single-stranded negative-stranded RNA virus of the Pneumoviridae family. RSV is a seasonal epidemic and a major cause of lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) worldwide. Epidemiological data suggest that in the United States alone, RSV may cause >170,000 hospitalizations and approximately 14,000 deaths annually (Colosia et al., PLoS One. 2017;12(8):e0182321). Similarly, RSV is an important cause of respiratory disease in Europe (Broberg et al., Euro Surveill. 2018;23(5):17-00284).

[0005] Accumulating data have identified a substantial disease burden in adults comparable to influenza, with most hospitalizations and mortality occurring in those over 60 years of age (Falsey et al., J Infect Dis. 2014;209(12):1873-81;Fleming et al. BMC Infect Dis. 2015;15(1):443). The incidence and severity of RSV disease is particularly high in frail older adults and those with cardiopulmonary conditions, who are considered at high risk for complications and hospitalization (Falsey et al., N Engl J Med. 2005;352(17):1749-59). In addition to the disease burden in the elderly, RSV infection is the leading cause of bronchiolitis and pneumonia in young children worldwide (Nair et al., Lancet. 2010;375(9725):1545-55). A large proportion of these are lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) by 12 months of age, and as a result, RSV is the single most important viral LRTI during infancy and early childhood worldwide, particularly in preterm infants and in infants with cardiopulmonary conditions who are considered to be at high risk for complications and hospitalization. Data from the United States suggest that RSV is one of the leading causes of acute respiratory illness (ARI) in young children, with an estimated 2 million cases annually (Lee et al., Hum Vaccin. 2005;1(1):6-11).

[0006] Treatment for illness caused by RSV (e.g., RSV-A and / or RSV-B) is primarily symptomatic, and prevention consists primarily of infection control strategies, such as hand washing and droplet precautions. Neonates at high risk for RSV infection, such as premature infants or infants with cardiopulmonary disease, are candidates for prevention with the humanized monoclonal antibody palivizumab (Resch et al., Hum Vaccin Immunother. 2017;13(9):2138-2149), but this antibody has been shown to be only moderately effective (45-55%) in reducing hospitalization due to RSV (Ambrose et al., Human Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics. 2014;10:10,2785-2788). Antiviral agents for the prevention and treatment of RSV infection in older adults are not currently available, and no licensed vaccine exists for the prevention of disease due to RSV infection.

[0007] The RSV F protein is the major conserved surface antigen of RSV, and antibodies against it are associated with protection against disease. The RSV F-protein is a validated target for protection against infection with RSV, as demonstrated by the clinical efficacy of palivizumab, a monoclonal antibody that binds to the F-antigen and results in neutralization of the virus (Johnson et al., J Infect Dis. 1997 Nov;176(5):1215-24). It is known that the RSV-F protein undergoes a significant change in structure from the pre-fusion form to the post-fusion form, which catalyzes the membrane fusion of the virus and the host that allows the virus to enter the cell (McLellan et al., Science. 2013;342(6158):592-8). The pre-fusion F-protein has important epitopes that are lost during the transition to the post-fusion F-protein (Melero et al., Vaccine. 2017;35(3):461-468). Antibody depletion studies using human serum absorbed to either conformation of the RSV F protein have demonstrated that the majority of the neutralizing response to the RSV F protein targets the prefusion structure (Krarup et al., Nat Commun. 2015;6:8143). These studies also demonstrate the potential for antibodies that bind to the postfusion F protein to interfere with neutralization (Ngwuta et al., Sci Transl Med. 2015;7(309):309ra162). In general, high levels of antibodies against the RSV F protein are associated with protection against severe disease. However, generating high titers of neutralizing antibodies against the RSV F protein remains challenging due to the specific biochemical properties of the RSV F protein and the unpredictability of vaccine responses to RSV F. Thus, there is a need for new vaccines that target RSV (e.g., RSV-A and / or RSV-B subtypes) to induce high neutralizing antibody levels. The compositions and methods of the present disclosure address this need. [Prior art documents] [Non-patent literature]

[0008] [Non-Patent Document 1] Johnson et al., J Infect Dis. (1997) 176(5):1215-24 [Non-Patent Document 2] McLellan et al., Science. (2013) 342(6158):592-8 [Non-Patent Document 3] Melero et al., Vaccine. (2017)35(3):461~468 Summary of the Invention [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] A quick overview In one aspect, provided herein is a pharmaceutical composition comprising a protein complex comprising a first component comprising a RSV F protein and a first multimerization domain, and a second component comprising a second multimerization domain, and one or more pharma- ceutically acceptable diluents or excipients. In some embodiments, the pharmaceutical composition comprises an oil-in-water adjuvant. In some embodiments, the pharmaceutical composition comprises an aluminum hydroxide adjuvant. In some embodiments, the protein complex is an icosahedral protein complex. In some embodiments, the protein complex comprises 20 copies of the first component and 12 copies of the second component.

[0010] In some embodiments, the RSV F protein comprises an amino acid sequence that is at least 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% identical to any one of the amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NOs: 14, 34 and 35. In some embodiments, the first multimerization domain comprises an amino acid sequence that is at least 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% identical to the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 24 and 30-31; and / or the second multimerization domain comprises an amino acid sequence that is at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99% or at least 100% identical to an amino acid sequence selected from any one of SEQ ID NOs: 22-23, 25-29 and 32. In some embodiments, the first component comprises an amino acid sequence at least 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% identical to SEQ ID NO:6; and the second component comprises an amino acid sequence at least 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% identical to SEQ ID NO:26.

[0011] In another aspect, provided herein is a unit dose of a pharmaceutical composition comprising about 0.5 μg to about 1 μg, about 20 μg to about 25 μg, about 70 μg to about 75 μg, about 100 μg to about 125 μg, or about 200 μg to about 250 μg of the protein complex.

[0012] In another aspect, provided herein is a method of vaccinating a subject, comprising administering to the subject an effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition provided herein. In another aspect, provided herein is a method of generating an immune response in a subject, comprising administering to the subject an effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition provided herein. In another aspect, provided herein is a method of preventing RSV disease in a subject, comprising administering to the subject an effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition provided herein. In some embodiments, the subject is at risk for severe RSV disease. In some embodiments, the subject is an adult over 60 years of age. In some embodiments, the subject is a healthy adult between 18 and 45 years of age.

[0013] In another aspect, provided herein is a method of generating an immune response in a fetus, comprising administering to the mother of the fetus an effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition provided herein, hi some embodiments, the pharmaceutical composition is administered to the mother during the last trimester of pregnancy.

[0014] In some embodiments, the effective amount of the pharmaceutical composition comprises about 0.5 μg to about 1 μg, about 20 μg to about 25 μg, about 70 μg to about 75 μg, about 100 μg to about 125 μg, or about 200 μg to about 250 μg of the protein complex.

[0015] In some embodiments, the method provided herein further comprises administering a second dose of the pharmaceutical composition provided herein. In some embodiments, the second dose is administered within about 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 or 12 weeks, about 1 month, about 2 months, about 3 months, about 4 months, about 5 months, about 6 months, about 9 months or about 12 months of the first dose. In some embodiments, the method provided herein further comprises administering a third dose of the pharmaceutical composition provided herein. In some embodiments, the third dose is administered about 1 year, about 2 years, about 3 years, about 4 years or about 5 years after the second dose. In some embodiments, the method provided herein further comprises administering subsequent doses at regular intervals of about 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 years.

[0016] In some embodiments, the methods provided herein limit the occurrence of RSV infection in a subject. In some embodiments, the methods result in the production of RSV-A specific neutralizing antibodies in a subject. In some embodiments, the methods result in an increase in RSV-A specific neutralizing antibodies in a subject of at least about 3-fold, at least about 4-fold, at least about 5-fold, at least about 10-fold, at least about 15-fold, at least about 20-fold, or at least about 25-fold compared to baseline. In some embodiments, the increase in RSV-A specific neutralizing antibodies is detectable within about 1 week, about 2 weeks, about 3 weeks, about 4 weeks, about 5 weeks, about 6 weeks, about 7 weeks, about 8 weeks, about 9 weeks, about 10 weeks, about 11 weeks, or about 12 weeks of administration of the pharmaceutical composition. In some embodiments, the methods result in the production of RSV-B specific neutralizing antibodies in a subject. In some embodiments, the method results in an increase in RSV-B specific neutralizing antibodies in a subject of at least about 2-fold, at least about 3-fold, at least about 4-fold, at least about 5-fold, at least about 10-fold, at least about 15-fold, at least about 20-fold, or at least about 25-fold compared to baseline. In some embodiments, the increase in RSV-B specific neutralizing antibodies is detectable within about 1 week, within about 2 weeks, within about 3 weeks, within about 4 weeks, within about 5 weeks, within about 6 weeks, within about 7 weeks, within about 8 weeks, within about 9 weeks, within about 10 weeks, within about 11 weeks, or within about 12 weeks of administration of the pharmaceutical composition.

[0017] In some embodiments, the method results in the production of RSV F protein-specific IgG antibodies in the subject. In some embodiments, the method results in an increase in RSV F protein-specific neutralizing antibodies in the subject of at least about 2-fold, at least about 3-fold, at least about 4-fold, at least about 5-fold, at least about 10-fold, at least about 15-fold, at least about 20-fold, or at least about 25-fold compared to baseline. In some embodiments, the increase in RSV F protein-specific IgG antibodies is detectable within about 1 week, within about 2 weeks, within about 3 weeks, within about 4 weeks, within about 5 weeks, within about 6 weeks, within about 7 weeks, within about 8 weeks, within about 9 weeks, within about 10 weeks, within about 11 weeks, or within about 12 weeks of administration of the pharmaceutical composition.

[0018] In some embodiments, the method results in the production of RSV F-protein-specific memory B cells in the subject. In some embodiments, the method results in an increase in RSV F-protein-specific memory B cells in the subject of at least about 3-fold, at least about 4-fold, at least about 5-fold, at least about 10-fold, at least about 15-fold, at least about 20-fold, or at least about 25-fold compared to baseline. In some embodiments, the increase in RSV F-protein-specific memory B cells is detectable within about 1 week, within about 2 weeks, within about 3 weeks, within about 4 weeks, within about 5 weeks, within about 6 weeks, within about 7 weeks, within about 8 weeks, within about 9 weeks, within about 10 weeks, within about 11 weeks, or within about 12 weeks of administration of the pharmaceutical composition.

[0019] In some embodiments, the method results in the production of RSV F-protein specific T cells in the subject. In some embodiments, the method results in an increase in RSV F-protein specific T cells in the subject of at least about 3-fold, at least about 4-fold, at least about 5-fold, at least about 10-fold, at least about 15-fold, at least about 20-fold, or at least about 25-fold compared to baseline. In some embodiments, the increase in RSV F-protein specific T cells is detectable within about 1 week, within about 2 weeks, within about 3 weeks, within about 4 weeks, within about 5 weeks, within about 6 weeks, within about 7 weeks, within about 8 weeks, within about 9 weeks, within about 10 weeks, within about 11 weeks, or within about 12 weeks of administration of the pharmaceutical composition. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0020] [Figure 1] 1A-1C show neutralizing antibody titers measured in naive mice on days 0 (FIG. 1A), 42 (FIG. 1B), and 56 (FIG. 1C) after administration of the RSV vaccine (two-tailed, unpaired t-test). Group 1: RSV vaccine (8.33 μg); Group 2: RSV vaccine (8.33 μg) + Alhydrogel; Group 3: RSV vaccine (2.5 μg); Group 4: RSV vaccine (2.5 μg) + Alhydrogel; Group 5: RSV vaccine (0.83 μg); Group 6: RSV vaccine (0.83 μg) + Alhydrogel; Group 7: RSV vaccine (8.33 μg) + Addavax; Group 8: control serum.

[0021] [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 shows the increase in neutralizing antibody titers upon administration of Alhydrogel-adjuvanted or unadjuvanted RSV vaccine or RSV F-protein in RSV-primed mice.

[0022] [Diagram 3]Figure 3 shows RSV neutralizing antibody titers in rabbits; effect of pre-immunization with VLP core. Group 1 = 5 New Zealand White (NZW) female rabbits were administered VLP core + Addavax (oil in water emulsion) on days 1 and 14. Rabbits were subsequently vaccinated with RSV vaccine + Alhydrogel (aluminum hydroxide adjuvant) on days 56, 70, and 84. Group 2 = 3 NZW female rabbits, each vaccinated with RSV vaccine without Alhydrogel, without VLP core prior to dosing. Group 3 = 3 NZW female rabbits, each vaccinated with RSV vaccine with Alhydrogel, without VLP core prior to dosing.

[0023] [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a study design for a Phase 1 / 1b randomized, observer-blinded, placebo-controlled study to evaluate IVX-121 administration in younger adult and elderly subjects.

[0024] [Diagram 5] An overview of the safety data is shown in Figure 5. There were no serious adverse events (SAEs), no AEs of interest (AESIs), and no adverse events (AEs) leading to study discontinuation.

[0025] [Figure 6] Figure 6 shows a graph of solicited systemic adverse events, maximum severity within 7 days of a single dose ("alum" = 500 μg / mL aluminum hydroxide). Non-adjuvanted IVX-121 reactogenicity is mild in elderly subjects, with similar tolerance to placebo.

[0026] [Figure 7] Figure 7 shows a graph of RSV-A neutralizing antibodies (nAB). Geometric mean titers (GMT) are expressed in international units per milliliter (IU / mL). The GMT of unadjuvanted IVX-121 is comparable in young adults and the elderly.

[0027] [Figure 8] Figure 8 shows a graph of RSV-A neutralizing antibodies (nAB) without adjuvant versus with adjuvant. Geometric mean titers (GMT) are expressed in international units per milliliter (IU / mL). Alum adjuvant had no beneficial effect in young adults and elderly subjects.

[0028] [Figure 9] FIG. 9 shows a table summarizing the neutralizing and binding antibody data. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0029] Detailed Description Provided herein is a pharmaceutical composition comprising a protein complex that can be used to vaccinate against RSV (e.g., RSV-A subtype and / or RSV-B subtype). In particular, provided herein is a composition comprising a non-replicating recombinant protein-based vaccine presented to the immune system as a virus-like particle (VLP). Some naturally occurring VLPs are components of licensed vaccines (e.g., Hepatitis B, human papillomavirus) and have been used safely across all age groups, ranging from young children to the elderly. Without wishing to be bound by theory, it is believed that such a vaccine can boost RSV-neutralizing antibody titers while reducing the induction of binding non-neutralizing antibodies previously associated with enhanced respiratory disease (ERD). definition

[0030] The term "a" or "an" may refer to one or more of that entity, i.e., to a plural referent. Thus, the terms "a," "an," "one or more," and "at least one" are used interchangeably herein. Furthermore, reference to "an element" by the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude the possibility that more than one of those elements is present, unless the context clearly requires that only one or one of those elements is present.

[0031] Throughout this application, the term "about" is used to indicate that a value includes the inherent variation of error for the device or method used to determine the value, or the variation that exists between samples being measured. Unless otherwise indicated or clear from the context, the term "about" means within 10% above or below the reported numerical value (except when such number is greater than 100% or less than 0% of possible values). When used in conjunction with a range of values ​​or a series of values, the term "about" applies to the endpoints of the range or each of the values ​​recited within that series, unless otherwise indicated. As used in this application, the terms "about" and "approximately" are used as equivalents.

[0032] As used herein, the term "sequence identity" refers to the degree to which two optimally aligned polynucleotide or polypeptide sequences are invariant through a window of alignment of residues, e.g., nucleotides or amino acids. The "percentage of identity" for an aligned segment of a test sequence and a reference sequence is the number of identical residues shared by the two aligned sequences divided by the total number of residues in the reference sequence segment, i.e., the entire reference sequence or a smaller defined portion of the reference sequence. The "percentage identity" is the percentage of identity x 100. Comparison of sequences to determine percent identity can be accomplished by several well-known methods, including, for example, by using mathematical algorithms, such as those in the BLAST suite of sequence analysis programs. Unless otherwise specified, the term "sequence identity" refers to the sequence identity calculated as the percentage of exact matches between a reference sequence and a sequence of interest over the entire length of the reference sequence when the sequence of interest is aligned to the reference sequence using the Blast-p program of the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) online alignment tool, version 2.11.0 (released October 19, 2020), Altschul et al. J. Mol. Biol. 215:403-410 (1990).

[0033] As used herein, the terms "heterologous vaccine" and "heterologous vaccination" refer to a vaccine given to a subject who has been or will be vaccinated against the same indication (e.g., RSV) using a vaccine made with another technology (e.g., an mRNA vaccine, an adenovirus vector vaccine, or a protein subunit vaccine). Thus, a "heterologous vaccine" refers to a vaccine made using a different technology type than the reference vaccine.

[0034] "Heterologous boost" or "heterologous boost vaccine" refers to a heterologous vaccine (e.g., a protein-based VLP) given to a subject who has previously been vaccinated against the same indication (e.g., RSV) using a vaccine made by another technology (e.g., an mRNA vaccine, an adenoviral vector vaccine, or a protein subunit vaccine).

[0035] The term "prime vaccine" refers to the first set of vaccines administered before the first vaccine in a vaccination protocol or a heterologous boost vaccine. For example, an mRNA vaccine or an adenovirus vaccine may be administered first, and then, if necessary, a second prime vaccine may be administered after an appropriate interval, and then a heterologous vaccine may be administered. The heterologous vaccine may function to "boost" the immune response to the prime vaccine. "Priming vaccine" as used herein refers to a vaccine that includes an agent(s) that encodes a target antigen against which an immune response is generated. The priming vaccine is administered to a subject in an amount effective to elicit an immune response against the target antigen.

[0036] "Heterologous prime-boost vaccination" refers to a vaccine given to a subject who will be vaccinated against the same indication (e.g., RSV) using a vaccine made with another technology. For example, the first dose of vaccine (primary vaccine or prime vaccination) can be an mRNA vaccine (or alternatively, the subject may have been diagnosed with an indication, e.g., RSV), followed by a second vaccination against the same indication, the second vaccination being of a different technology - a heterologous vaccination (e.g., protein-based VLP). In an example, a heterologous prime-boost vaccination includes a primary vaccination against an indication and a subsequent vaccination against the same indication, where the heterologous vaccination is administered 3 to 6 months after the heterologous prime vaccine, or 4 months or longer after the heterologous prime vaccine, or 6 months or longer after the heterologous prime vaccine, or 10 months or longer after the heterologous prime vaccine. In yet another example, the heterologous boost vaccination is administered one year after the heterologous prime vaccine. "Heterologous prime" or "heterologous prime vaccine" refers to a vaccine given to a subject who would otherwise be vaccinated against the same indication (e.g., RSV) using a vaccine made with another technology (e.g., an mRNA vaccine, an adenoviral vector vaccine, or a protein subunit vaccine).

[0037] The term "virus-like particle" or "VLP" refers to a molecular assembly that resembles a virus but is non-infectious and displays antigenic proteins or antigenic fragments of viral proteins or glycoproteins. "Protein-based VLP" refers to a VLP formed from proteins or glycoproteins and is substantially free of other components (e.g., lipids). Protein-based VLPs may include post-translational and chemical modifications, but are distinct from micellar VLPs and VLPs formed by extraction of viral proteins from live or live-inactivated virus preparations. The term "designed VLP" refers to a VLP that includes one or more polypeptides generated by computational protein design. The term "symmetric VLP" refers to a protein-based VLP with a symmetric core. These include, but are not limited to, designed VLPs. For example, the protein ferritin has been used to generate symmetric protein-based VLPs that use the naturally occurring ferritin sequence. Ferritin-based VLPs are distinct from designed VLPs in that no protein engineering is required to form a symmetric VLP from ferritin, other than fusing a viral protein to the ferritin molecule. Protein design methods can be used to generate similar one-component and two-component nanostructures based on template structures (e.g., structures deposited in the Protein Data Bank) or de novo (i.e., by computer design of new proteins with the desired structure but with little or no homology to naturally occurring proteins). Such one-component and two-component nanostructures can then be used as the core of the designed VLP. The terms "protein nanoparticles" or "nanoparticles" and "nanostructures" can be used to refer to the protein-based VLPs described herein.

[0038] As used herein, an "immunogenic composition" is a composition comprising an antigen, where administration of the composition to a subject results in the development in the subject of a humoral and / or cellular immune response to the antigen.

[0039] As used herein, the term "subject" includes humans and other animals. Typically, the subject is a human. For example, the subject can be an adult, a teenager, a child (2-14 years old), an infant (birth-2 years old), or a newborn (up to 2 months old). In certain aspects, the subject is up to 4 months old or up to 6 months old. In some embodiments, the adult is an elderly person, e.g., an elderly person over 50 years old, an elderly person over 55 years old, an elderly person over 60 years old, an elderly person over 65 years old. In some embodiments, the subject is a pregnant woman or a woman who is planning to become pregnant. In other aspects, the subject is not a human; e.g., a non-human primate; e.g., a baboon, a chimpanzee, a gorilla, or a macaque. In certain aspects, the subject can be a pet, e.g., a dog or a cat.

[0040] Protein complexes The present disclosure generally relates to vaccinating a subject with a protein complex comprising a first component comprising a RSV F protein and a first multimerization domain. The protein complex may comprise an F protein of RSV-A or RSV-B. Exemplary sequences of the F proteins of RSV-A and B are shown in SEQ ID NOs: 14 and 34, respectively. The F protein portion and the first multimerization domain may be linked by any suitable means, including co-expression as a fusion protein. The protein complex may optionally comprise a second component comprising a second multimerization domain. Pharmaceutical compositions typically comprise one or more pharma- ceutical acceptable diluents or excipients.

[0041] In some embodiments, the protein complex is a nanostructure, a nanoparticle, or a protein-based virus-like particle.

[0042] In some embodiments, the protein complex is an icosahedral protein complex, such as those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 10,248,758 or U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2020 / 0392187 A1, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties.

[0043] The multimerization domain may be derived from a naturally occurring protein sequence by substitution of at least one amino acid residue or by addition of one or more residues at the N-terminus or C-terminus. In some cases, the first multimerization domain comprises a protein sequence determined by a computational method. This first multimerization domain may form the entire core of the VLP; or the core of the VLP may comprise one or more additional polypeptides (also referred to as the "second component" or the third, fourth, fifth component, etc.), such that the VLP comprises two, three, four, five, six, seven or more multimerization domains. In some cases, the first component forms a trimer related with three-fold rotational symmetry, and the second component forms a pentamer related with five-fold rotational symmetry. In such cases, the VLP forms an "icosahedral particle" with I53 symmetry. Together, these one or more components may be arranged such that the members of each component are related to each other by a symmetry operator. A general computational method for designing self-assembling protein materials, involving symmetric docking of protein building blocks in a target symmetric architecture, is disclosed in US Patent Application Publication No. 2015 / 0356240 A1.

[0044] The "core" of a VLP is used herein to describe the central portion of the VLP that links together several copies of the RSV F protein extracellular domain, or antigenic fragments thereof, displayed by the VLP. In one embodiment, the first component comprises a first polypeptide comprising an F protein, a linker, and a multimerization domain.

[0045] In some cases, the VLP is adapted to display F proteins from two or more different strains of RSV. In a non-limiting example, the same VLP displays a mixed population of protein antigens or a mixed heterotrimer of protein antigens from different strains of RSV. The sequences of F proteins of various RSV strains are known in the art. For example, see NCBI Accession Nos. QFX69124.1, QFX69112.1, APW78900.1, APW78889.1, APW78878.1, APW78867.1, APW78856.1, APW78845.1, APW78834.1, APW78823.1, APW78812.1, APW78801.1, APW78790.1, APW78779.1, APW7876 8.1, APW78757.1, APW78746.1, APW78735.1, APW78724.1, APW78713.1, APW78702.1, APW78691.1, APW78680.1, APW78669.1, APW78658.1, APW78647.1, APW78636.1, APW78625.1, APW78614.1 and AAR14266.1.

[0046] The VLPs of the present disclosure display antigenic proteins in a variety of ways, including as gene fusions, or by other means as disclosed herein. As used herein, "linked to" or "bound to" refers to any means known in the art for associating two polypeptides. The association can be direct or indirect, reversible or irreversible, weak or strong, covalent or non-covalent, and selective or non-selective.

[0047] In some embodiments, the binding is achieved by genetic engineering to create an N- or C-terminal fusion of the antigen to one of the polypeptides that constitute the VLP. Thus, the VLP can consist of or essentially consist of one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine or ten polypeptides that display one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine or ten antigens, with at least one of the antigens being genetically fused to at least one of the polypeptides. In some cases, the VLP essentially consists of one polypeptide that can self-assemble and includes multiple antigenic proteins genetically fused thereto. In some cases, the VLP essentially consists of a first polypeptide that includes multiple antigens; and a second polypeptide that can co-assemble into a two-component VLP, with one polypeptide linking the antigenic protein to the VLP and the other polypeptide promoting the self-assembly of the VLP.

[0048] In some embodiments, the binding is achieved by post-translational covalent bonding between one or more of the multiple polypeptides and one or more of the multiple antigenic proteins. In some cases, chemical cross-linking is used to non-specifically bind the antigen to the VLP polypeptide. In some cases, chemical cross-linking is used to specifically bind the antigenic protein to the VLP polypeptide (e.g., to the first polypeptide or the second polypeptide). A variety of specific and non-specific cross-linking chemistries, such as click chemistry and other methods, are known in the art. In general, any cross-linking chemistry used to link two proteins can be adapted for use in the VLPs disclosed herein. In particular, chemistry used in the creation of immunoconjugates or antibody drug conjugates can be used. In some cases, the VLP is created using a cleavable or non-cleavable linker. Processes and methods for conjugating antigens to carriers are provided, for example, by US Patent Application Publication No. 2008 / 0145373 A1.

[0049] The components of the VLP of the present disclosure can have any of a variety of amino acid sequences. US Patent Application Publication No. 2015 / 0356240 A1 describes various methods for designing protein assemblies. As described in US Patent Application Publication No. 2016 / 0122392 A1 and International Patent Application Publication No. WO2014 / 124301 A1, polypeptides were designed for their ability to self-assemble in pairs to form VLPs, e.g., icosahedral particles. The design included the design of appropriate interface residues for each member of the polypeptide pair that can assemble to form a VLP. The VLP thus formed comprises a symmetrically repeated non-natural non-covalent polypeptide-polypeptide interface that orients the first assembly and the second assembly into a VLP, e.g., one with icosahedral symmetry.

[0050] Non-limiting examples of engineered protein complexes useful in the protein-based VLPs of the present disclosure include those disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 9,630,994, International Patent Application Publication No. WO2018187325A1, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018 / 0137234A1, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2019 / 0155988A2, each of which is hereby incorporated in its entirety. Exemplary sequences are provided in Table 1. [Table 1-1] [Table 1-2] [Table 1-3] [Table 1-4] [Table 1-5] [Table 1-6] [Table 1-7] [Table 1-8] [Table 1-9]

[0051] In some embodiments, the first multimerization domain comprises an amino acid sequence that is at least 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% identical to the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 24 and 30-31.

[0052] In some embodiments, the second multimerization domain comprises an amino acid sequence that is at least 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% identical to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NOs: 22-23 and 25-26.

[0053] The first multimerization domain 50A pairs with the second multimerization domain 50B. The first multimerization domain dn5B pairs with the second multimerization domain dn5A.

[0054] In some embodiments, the VLP comprises a fusion protein having at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99% or 100% identity to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 1-10, comprising an RSV F protein as disclosed herein; and a second component having at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99% or 100% identity to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 22-23, 25-29 and 32.

[0055] In some embodiments, the VLP comprises a fusion protein having at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99% or 100% identity to SEQ ID NO:6, comprising an RSV F protein as disclosed herein; and a second component having at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99% or 100% identity to SEQ ID NO:26.

[0056] In some embodiments, the first component comprises a polypeptide sequence having at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99% or 100% identity to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 14, 34 and 35.

[0057] The first component may comprise a RSV F protein, which may be a full-length RSV F protein, an extracellular domain of RSV F, or an antigenic fragment thereof. In some embodiments, the RSV F protein comprises a polypeptide sequence having at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100% identity to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 14, 34, and 35. In some embodiments, the RSV F protein is an RSV-A F protein. In some embodiments, the RSV F protein is an RSV-B F protein.

[0058] In some embodiments, the first component comprises a polypeptide sequence having at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99% or 100% identity to SEQ ID NO: 14, and further comprises a signal peptide. In some embodiments, the signal peptide comprises the sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 11-13.

[0059] The polypeptides described herein may have one or more amino acid substitutions compared to wild-type RSV. For example, without limitation, the second component of the protein complex provided herein may include one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, or all eight positions compared to SEQ ID NO: 14, selected from any one of H9Y, E24D, A28Q, A36E, R38A, N97D, N105S, D121H.

[0060] The polypeptides provided herein may contain one or more conservative amino acid substitutions. The term "conservative amino acid substitution" is well known in the art and refers to the substitution of a particular amino acid with an amino acid that has similar characteristics (e.g., similar charge or hydrophobicity). Conservative mutations may include, without limitation, the substitution of an amino acid residue that has, for example, similar charge or hydrophobicity but different size or bulk (e.g., to provide a cavity-filling function). A list of conservative amino acid substitutions is provided in the following table. [Table 7]

[0061] Alternatively, for example, when it is desired to eliminate flexible portions of the RSV F protein secondary structure, non-conservative amino acid substitutions, such as by adding cysteine ​​residues, may be preferred (or vice versa). "Non-conservative substitution" refers to the replacement of one class of amino acid with an amino acid from another class; for example, the replacement of Ala with Asp, Asn, Glu, or Gln. Further non-limiting examples of non-conservative substitutions include the replacement of polar (hydrophilic) residues, such as cysteine, glutamine, glutamic acid, or lysine, with non-polar (hydrophobic) amino acid residues, such as isoleucine, valine, leucine, alanine, methionine, and / or the replacement of non-polar residues with polar residues. Substitution of D-Cys with D-Ala, D-Ser, or D-Tyr (or another residue) can be used to eliminate intramolecular disulfide bonds, which in some cases can improve protein stability or expression. Substitution with D-Cys can be used to create disulfide bonds that stabilize proteins or lock them into a desired conformation.

[0062] Nucleic acids, vectors and cells In another aspect, the present disclosure provides a nucleic acid encoding the polypeptide or fusion protein of the present disclosure. The nucleic acid sequence may comprise RNA (e.g., mRNA) or DNA. Such nucleic acid sequence may comprise additional sequences useful for facilitating the expression and / or purification of the encoded protein, including but not limited to polyA sequences, modified Kozak sequences, and sequences encoding epitope tags, export signals, and secretion signals, nuclear localization signals, and plasma membrane localization signals. Based on the teachings of the present specification, it will be clear to those skilled in the art which nucleic acid sequence encodes the protein of the present invention.

[0063] In another aspect, the present disclosure provides an expression vector comprising an isolated nucleic acid of any embodiment or combination of embodiments of the present disclosure operably linked to a suitable control sequence. An "expression vector" includes a vector in which a nucleic acid coding region or gene is operably linked to any control sequence capable of effecting expression of a gene product. A "control sequence" operably linked to a nucleic acid sequence of the present disclosure is a nucleic acid sequence capable of effecting expression of a nucleic acid molecule. A control sequence need not be contiguous with a nucleic acid sequence, so long as it functions to direct the expression of that nucleic acid sequence. Thus, for example, an intervening non-translated but transcribed sequence can be present between the promoter sequence and the nucleic acid sequence, and the promoter sequence can still be considered "operably linked" to the coding sequence. Other such control sequences include, but are not limited to, polyadenylation signals, termination signals, and ribosome binding sites. Such expression vectors can be of any type known in the art, including, but not limited to, plasmids and viral-based expression vectors. The control sequences used to drive expression of the disclosed nucleic acid sequences in mammalian systems can be constitutive (driven by any of a variety of promoters including, but not limited to, CMV, SV40, RSV, actin, EF) or inducible (driven by any of a number of inducible promoters including, but not limited to, tetracycline, ecdysone, steroid responsive).

[0064] In another aspect, the present disclosure provides a cell comprising the polypeptide, virus-like particle, composition, nucleic acid and / or expression vector of any embodiment or combination of embodiments of the present disclosure, which may be either a prokaryotic cell or a eukaryotic cell, e.g., a mammalian cell. In some embodiments, the cell may be transiently or stably transfected with the nucleic acid or expression vector of the present disclosure. Such transfection of expression vectors into prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells may be accomplished via any technique known in the art. A method for producing a polypeptide according to the present invention is further part of the present invention. The method includes (a) culturing a host according to this aspect of the present invention under conditions conducive to expression of the polypeptide, and (b) optionally recovering the expressed polypeptide.

[0065] Pharmaceutical Compositions In another aspect, the present disclosure provides a method for producing a method for manufacturing a pharmaceutical composition comprising: (a) the polypeptides, virus-like particles, compositions, nucleic acids, expression vectors and / or cells of any embodiment or combination of embodiments herein; and (b) A pharma- ceutically acceptable carrier. The present invention provides a pharmaceutical composition / vaccine comprising:

[0066] As shown in the examples below, virus-like particles elicit strong protective antibody responses against RSV (e.g., against RSV-A and / or RSV-B). For example, the virus-like particles of the present disclosure induce neutralizing antibody titers.

[0067] In some embodiments, the pharmaceutical compositions or vaccines provided herein may be bivalent, e.g., may contain both RSV-A and RSV-B antigens (e.g., both RSV-A and RSV-B F proteins).

[0068] The composition / vaccine may further comprise (a) a lyoprotectant, (b) a surfactant, (c) a bulking agent, (d) a tonicity adjusting agent, (e) a stabilizer, (f) a preservative, and / or (g) a buffer. In some embodiments, the buffer in the pharmaceutical composition is a Tris buffer, a histidine buffer, a phosphate buffer, a citrate buffer, or an acetate buffer. The composition may also comprise a lyoprotectant, such as sucrose, sorbitol, or trehalose. In certain embodiments, the composition comprises a preservative, such as benzalkonium chloride, benzethonium, chlorohexidine, phenol, m-cresol, benzyl alcohol, methylparaben, propylparaben, chlorobutanol, o-cresol, p-cresol, chlorocresol, phenylmercuric nitrate, thimerosal, benzoic acid, and various mixtures thereof. In other embodiments, the composition comprises a bulking agent, such as glycine. In yet other embodiments, the composition comprises a surfactant, such as polysorbate-20, polysorbate-40, polysorbate-60, polysorbate-65, polysorbate-80, polysorbate-85, poloxamer-188, sorbitan monolaurate, sorbitan monopalmitate, sorbitan monostearate, sorbitan monooleate, sorbitan trilaurate, sorbitan tristearate, sorbitan trioleate, or a combination thereof. The composition may also comprise a tonicity adjuster, such as a compound that renders the formulation substantially isotonic or isosmotic with human blood. Exemplary tonicity adjusters include sucrose, sorbitol, glycine, methionine, mannitol, dextrose, inositol, sodium chloride, arginine, and arginine hydrochloride. In other embodiments, the composition further comprises a stabilizer, e.g., a molecule that substantially prevents or reduces chemical and / or physical instability of the nanostructures in lyophilized or liquid form. Exemplary stabilizers include sucrose, sorbitol, glycine, inositol, sodium chloride, methionine, arginine, and arginine hydrochloride.

[0069] The virus-like particle may be the only active agent in the composition, for example, formulated as an aqueous vaccine, or the composition may further comprise one or more other agents appropriate for the intended use, including but not limited to adjuvants for generally stimulating the immune system and improving the overall immune response.Any suitable adjuvant may be used.The term "adjuvant" refers to a compound or mixture that enhances the immune response to an antigen.

[0070] Exemplary types of adjuvants that may be used in the pharmaceutical compositions provided herein include: 1. mineral-containing compositions, 2. oil emulsions, 3. saponin formulations, 4. virosomes and virus-like particles, 5. bacterial or microbial derivatives, 6. bioadhesives and mucoadhesives, 7. liposomes, 8. polyoxyethylene ether and polyoxyethylene ester formulations, 9. polyphosphazenes (pcpp), 10. muramyl peptides, 11. imidazoquinolone compounds, 12. thiosemicarbazone compounds, 13. tryptanthrin compounds, 14. human immunomodulators, 15. lipopeptides, 16. benzonaphthyridines, 17. microparticles, 18. immunostimulatory polynucleotides (e.g., RNA or DNA; e.g., cpg-containing oligonucleotides).

[0071] Exemplary adjuvants that may be used in the pharmaceutical compositions provided herein include 3M-052, Adju-Phos™, Alhydrogel™, Adjumer™, albumin-heparin microparticles, algae glucan, Algammulin, alum, antigen formulations, AS-2 adjuvant, ASO1, ASO3, autologous dendritic cells, autologous PBMCs, Avridine™, B7-2, BAK, BAY R1005, BECC TLR-4 agonist, bupivacaine, bupivacaine-HCl, BWZL, calcitriol, calcium phosphate gel, CCR5 peptides, CFA, cholera holotoxin (CT) and cholera toxin B subunit (CTB), cholera toxin A1-subunit-protein A. D-fragment fusion proteins, CpG, CPG-1018, CRL1005, cytokine-containing liposomes, D-Murapalmitine, DDA, DHEA, diphtheria toxoid, DL-PGL, DMPC, DMPG, DOC / alum complex, fowlpox, Freund's complete adjuvant, gamma inulin, Gerbu adjuvant, GM-CSF, GMDP, hGM-CSF, hIL-12 (N222L), hTNF-alpha, IFA, IFN-gamma in pcDNA3, IL-12 DNA, IL-12 plasmid, IL-12 / GMCSF plasmid (Sykes), IL-2 in pcDNA3, IL-2 / Ig plasmid, IL-2 / Ig protein, IL-4, IL-4 in pcDNA3, Imiquimod™, ImmTher™, immunoliposomes containing antibodies to costimulatory molecules, interferon-gamma, interleukin-1 beta, interleukin-12, interleukin-2, interleukin-7, ISCOM(s)™, Iscoprep 7.0.3™, Keyhole Limpet Hemocyanin, Lipid-Based Adjuvant, Liposomes, Loxoribine, LT(R192G), LT-OA or LT Oral Adjuvant, LT-R192G, LTK63, LTK72, Matrix-M™ Adjuvant, MF59, MONTANIDE ISA 51, MONTANIDE ISA 720, MPL™, MPL-SE, MTP-PE, MTP-PE Liposomes, Murametide, Murapalmitin, NAGO, nCT native cholera toxin, Non-ionic surfactant vesicles, Non-toxic mutant of cholera toxin E112K mCT-E112K, p-Hydroxybenzoic Acid acid methyl ester, pCIL-10, pCIL12, pCMVmCAT1, pCMVN, Peptomer-NP, Pleuran, PLG, PLGA, PGA and PLA, Pluronic® L121, PMMA, PODDS™, Poly rA:Poly rU, Polysorbate 80, Protein Cochleate, QS-21, Quadri A Saponin, Quil-A, Rehydragel HPA, Rehydragel Adjuvants include, but are not limited to, LV, RIBI, Ribi-like adjuvant systems (MPL, TMD, CWS), S-28463, SAF-1, Sclavopeptides, Sendai proteoliposomes, Sendai-containing lipid matrix, Span® 85, Specol, squalane 1, squalene 2, stearyl tyrosine, SWE, tetanus toxoid (TT), Theramide™, threonyl muramyl dipeptide (TMDP), Ty particles, and Walter Reed liposomes. The choice of adjuvant depends on the subject being treated. Preferably, a pharma- ceutically acceptable adjuvant is used. In some embodiments, the adjuvant is aluminum hydroxide gel (e.g., Alhydrogel™). In some embodiments, the adjuvant is SWE. In some embodiments, the adjuvant is MF59. In some embodiments, the adjuvant is an oil-in-water emulsion.

[0072] For example, the composition may include an aluminum salt adjuvant, an oil-in-water emulsion (e.g., an oil-in-water emulsion with squalene, e.g., MF59, SWE, or AS03), a TLR9 agonist (e.g., a CpG oligonucleotide), a TLR7 agonist (e.g., an imidazoquinoline or imiquimod), or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the adjuvant is a combination of an aluminum salt and CPG-1018. Suitable aluminum salts include hydroxides (e.g., oxyhydroxides), phosphates (e.g., hydroxyphosphates, orthophosphates), (see, e.g., Chapters 8 and 9 of Vaccine Design. (1995) eds. Powell & Newman. ISBN: 030644867X. Plenum), or mixtures thereof. The salt may be in any suitable form (e.g., gel, crystalline, amorphous, etc.), with adsorption of an antigen to the salt being one example. The Al salt in a composition for administration to a patient may be used in combination with an aluminum salt or combination of aluminum salts. +++ The concentration of may be less than 5 mg / ml, e.g., <4 mg / ml, <3 mg / ml, <2 mg / ml, <1 mg / ml, etc. Exemplary ranges are between 0.3 mg / ml and 1 mg / ml. Aluminum hydroxide and aluminum phosphate adjuvants are suitable for use with the present disclosure. In some embodiments, the pharmaceutical compositions provided herein include aluminum hydroxide as an adjuvant. In some embodiments, the pharmaceutical compositions provided herein include 500 μg of aluminum hydroxide.

[0073] In some embodiments, the composition comprising the virus-like particles may be the only active agent in the composition, in which case no adjuvant is included, or the composition is substantially free of adjuvants (including substantially free of any adjuvants). For example, no adjuvant may be added, or a substance(s) having adjuvant properties is present, but in a minimal amount, e.g., an amount that is not expected to exert an adjuvant effect. In some embodiments, the pharmaceutical composition has an adjuvant at less than about 5% (w / v), less than about 4% (w / v), less than about 4% (w / v), less than about 3% (w / v), less than about 2% (w / v), less than about 1% (w / v), less than about 0.5% (w / v), less than about 0.1% (w / v), less than 5% (w / v), less than 4% (w / v), less than 4% (w / v), less than 3% (w / v), less than 2% (w / v), less than 1% (w / v), less than 0.5% (w / v), or less than 0.1% (w / v). In some embodiments, the composition comprising the virus-like particles may be the only active agent in the composition and does not include an adjuvant (e.g., an alum or aluminum salt adjuvant).

[0074] Also provided herein are unit doses of the pharmaceutical compositions described herein. In some embodiments, the unit dose is about 1 μg to about 5 μg, about 5 μg to about 10 μg, about 10 μg to about 15 μg, about 15 μg to about 20 μg, about 20 μg to about 30 μg, about 30 μg to about 40 μg, about 40 μg to about 50 μg, about 50 μg to about 60 μg, about 60 μg to about 70 μg, about 70 μg to about 80 μg, about 80 μg to about 90 μg, about 90 μg to about 100 μg, about 100 μg to about 110 μg. g, about 110 μg to about 120 μg, about 120 μg to about 130 μg, about 130 μg to about 140 μg, about 140 μg to about 150 μg, about 150 μg to about 200 μg, about 200 μg to about 250 μg, about 250 μg to about 300 μg, about 300 μg to about 350 μg, about 350 μg to about 400 μg, about 400 μg to about 450 μg, or about 450 μg to about 500 μg of the protein complex. In some embodiments, the unit dose comprises about 1 μg, about 2 μg, about 5 μg, about 10 μg, about 15 μg, about 25 μg, about 50 μg, about 75 μg, about 100 μg, about 125 μg, about 150 μg, about 200 μg, or about 250 μg of protein complex. In some embodiments, the unit dose comprises 25 μg, 75 μg, or 250 μg of protein complex. The abbreviation μg may be used interchangeably with the abbreviation mcg to refer to micrograms of substance. In some embodiments, the unit dose comprises 5 μg of protein complex. In some embodiments, the unit dose comprises 25 μg of protein complex. In some embodiments, the unit dose comprises 125 μg of protein complex. In some embodiments, the unit dose comprises 100 μg of protein complex. In another aspect, provided herein is a unit dose of the pharmaceutical composition described herein, comprising 2 μg, 5 μg, 10 μg, 15 μg, 25 μg, 50 μg, 75 μg, 100 μg or 125 μg of protein complex. In some embodiments, provided herein is a unit dose of the pharmaceutical composition described herein, comprising between about 25 μg and about 125 μg of protein complex.In some embodiments, the unit dose of the pharmaceutical composition is between about 2 μg to about 125 μg, or between about 5 μg to about 125 g, or between about 15 μg to about 125 μg, or between about 25 μg to about 125 μg, or between about 50 μg to about 125 μg, or between about 100 μg to about 125 μg of protein complex.

[0075] In some embodiments, provided herein is a unit dose of a pharmaceutical composition described herein, comprising between about 25 μg and about 125 μg of protein complex. In some embodiments, the unit dose of the pharmaceutical composition is between about 2 μg and about 125 μg, or between about 5 μg and about 125 μg, or between about 15 μg and about 125 μg, or between about 25 μg and about 125 μg, or between about 50 μg and about 125 μg, or between about 100 μg and about 125 μg of protein complex.

[0076] In some embodiments, about 10 μg to about 100 μg, about 10 μg to about 150 μg, about 10 μg to about 200 μg, about 10 μg to about 250 μg, about 10 μg to about 300 μg, about 10 μg to about 350 μg, about 10 μg to about 400 μg, about 10 μg to about 450 μg, or about 10 μg to about 500 μg of the protein complex is administered.

[0077] In some embodiments, about 25 μg to about 100 μg, about 25 μg to about 150 μg, about 25 μg to about 200 μg, about 25 μg to about 250 μg, about 25 μg to about 300 μg, about 25 μg to about 350 μg, about 25 μg to about 400 μg, about 25 μg to about 450 μg, or about 25 μg to about 500 μg of the protein complex is administered.

[0078] In some embodiments, about 50 μg to about 100 μg, about 50 μg to about 150 μg, about 50 μg to about 200 μg, about 50 μg to about 250 μg, about 50 μg to about 300 μg, about 50 μg to about 350 μg, about 50 μg to about 400 μg, about 50 μg to about 450 μg, or about 50 μg to about 500 μg of the protein complex is administered.

[0079] In some embodiments, about 5 μg to about 150 μg, about 10 μg to about 150 μg, about 25 μg to about 150 μg, about 50 μg to about 150 μg, about 75 μg to about 150 μg, about 100 μg to about 150 μg, or about 125 μg to about 150 μg of the protein complex is administered.

[0080] In some embodiments, about 5 μg to about 125 μg, about 10 μg to about 125 μg, about 25 μg to about 125 μg, about 50 μg to about 125 μg, about 75 μg to about 125 μg, or about 100 μg to about 125 μg of the protein complex is administered.

[0081] In some embodiments, about 5 μg to about 100 μg, about 10 μg to about 100 μg, about 25 μg to about 100 μg, about 50 μg to about 100 μg, or about 75 μg to about 100 μg of the protein complex is administered.

[0082] In some embodiments, about 5 μg to about 75 μg, about 10 μg to about 75 μg, about 25 μg to about 75 μg, or about 50 μg to about 75 μg of the protein complex is administered.

[0083] In some embodiments, about 5 μg to about 50 μg, about 10 μg to about 50 μg, or about 25 μg to about 50 μg of the protein complex is administered.

[0084] The protein complex of the present disclosure comprises a RSV F protein. In an exemplary embodiment, the total molecular mass of the protein complex is about 5.6 MDa, and the mass ratio of the RSV F protein in the protein complex is about 58%; in these embodiments, there are 20 copies of the RSV F protein trimer per protein complex. Thus, for these exemplary embodiments, the doses can be converted to molar amounts, where 1 μg is equivalent to about 0.18 picomoles (pmol) of protein complex or about 3.6 pmol of RSV F protein in the protein complex. Each 1 μg of protein complex is equivalent to about 0.6 μg of RSV F protein. A unit dose of 25 μg of protein complex is equivalent to a unit dose of about 14 μg of non-particle-associated RSV F protein trimer; conversely, a unit dose of about 100 μg of non-particle-associated RSF F protein trimer is equivalent to about 174 μg of such an exemplary protein complex.

[0085] The pH of the formulation may also vary. Generally, the pH is between about pH 6.2 and about pH 8.0. In some embodiments, the pH is about 6.2, about 6.4, about 6.6, about 6.8, about 7.0, about 7.2, about 7.4, about 7.6, about 7.8, or about 8.0. Of course, the pH may also be within a range of values. Thus, in some embodiments, the pH is between about 6.2 and about 8.0, between about 6.2 and 7.8, between about 6.2 and 7.6, between about 6.2 and 7.4, between about 6.2 and 7.2, between about 6.2 and 7.0, between about 6.2 and 6.8, between about 6.2 and about 6.6, or between about 6.2 and 6.4. In other embodiments, the pH is between 6.4 and about 8.0, between about 6.4 and 7.8, between about 6.4 and 7.6, between about 6.4 and 7.4, between about 6.4 and 7.2, between about 6.4 and 7.0, between about 6.4 and 6.8, or between about 6.4 and about 6.6. In yet other embodiments, the pH is between about 6.6 and about 8.0, between about 6.6 and 7.8, between about 6.6 and 7.6, between about 6.6 and 7.4, between about 6.6 and 7.2, between about 6.6 and 7.0, or between about 6.6 and 6.8. In still other embodiments, the pH is between about 6.8 and about 8.0, between about 6.8 and 7.8, between about 6.8 and 7.6, between about 6.8 and 7.4, between about 6.8 and 7.2, or between about 6.8 and 7.0. In still other embodiments, the pH is between about 7.0 and about 8.0, between about 7.0 and 7.8, between about 7.0 and 7.6, between about 7.0 and 7.4, between about 7.0 and 7.2, between about 7.2 and 8.0, between about 7.2 and 7.8, between about 7.2 and about 7.6, between about 7.2 and 7.4, between about 7.4 and about 8.0, between about 7.4 and about 7.6, or between about 7.6 and about 8.0.

[0086] In some embodiments, the formulation may include one or more salts, such as sodium chloride, sodium phosphate, or a combination thereof. Generally, each salt is present in the formulation at about 10 mM to about 200 mM. Thus, in some embodiments, any salt present is present at about 10 mM to about 200 mM, about 20 mM to about 200 mM, about 25 mM to about 200 mM, about 30 mM to about 200 mM, about 40 mM to about 200 mM, about 50 mM to about 200 mM, about 75 mM to about 200 mM, about 100 mM to about 200 mM, about 125 mM to about 200 mM, about 150 mM to about 200 mM, or about 175 mM to about 200 mM. In other embodiments, any salt present is present at about 10 mM to about 175 mM, about 20 mM to about 175 mM, about 25 mM to about 175 mM, about 30 mM to about 175 mM, about 40 mM to about 175 mM, about 50 mM to about 175 mM, about 75 mM to about 175 mM, about 100 mM to about 175 mM, about 125 mM to about 175 mM, or about 150 mM to about 175 mM. In still other embodiments, any salt present is present at about 10 mM to about 150 mM, about 20 mM to about 150 mM, about 25 mM to about 150 mM, about 30 mM to about 150 mM, about 40 mM to about 150 mM, about 50 mM to about 150 mM, about 75 mM to about 150 mM, about 100 mM to about 150 mM, or about 125 mM to about 150 mM. In still other embodiments, any salt present is present at about 10 mM to about 125 mM, about 20 mM to about 125 mM, about 25 mM to about 125 mM, about 30 mM to about 125 mM, about 40 mM to about 125 mM, about 50 mM to about 125 mM, about 75 mM to about 125 mM, or about 100 mM to about 125 mM. In some embodiments, any salt present is present at about 10 mM to about 100 mM, about 20 mM to about 100 mM, about 25 mM to about 100 mM, about 30 mM to about 100 mM, about 40 mM to about 100 mM, about 50 mM to about 100 mM, or about 75 mM to about 100 mM. In still other embodiments, any salt present is present at about 10 mM to about 75 mM, about 20 mM to about 75 mM, about 25 mM to about 75 mM, about 30 mM to about 75 mM, about 40 mM to about 75 mM, or about 50 mM to about 75 mM.In yet other embodiments, any salt present is present at about 10 mM to about 50 mM, about 20 mM to about 50 mM, about 25 mM to about 50 mM, about 30 mM to about 50 mM, or about 40 mM to about 50 mM. In other embodiments, any salt present is present at about 10 mM to about 40 mM, about 20 mM to about 40 mM, about 25 mM to about 40 mM, about 30 mM to about 40 mM, about 10 mM to about 30 mM, about 20 mM to about 30, about 25 mM to about 30 mM, about 10 mM to about 25 mM, about 20 mM to about 25 mM, or about 10 mM to about 20 mM. In some embodiments, sodium chloride is present in the formulation at about 100 mM. In some embodiments, sodium phosphate is present in the formulation at about 25 mM.

[0087] The formulations herein may further comprise a solubilizing agent, such as a non-ionic detergent, including, but not limited to, Polysorbate 80 (Tween® 80), Triton® X100, and Polysorbate 20.

[0088] In some embodiments, the pharmaceutical composition described herein may comprise the polypeptide, virus-like particle, composition, nucleic acid, expression vector and / or cell of the embodiment or combination of the embodiment described herein, and one or more additional vaccines and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.In some embodiments, the one or more additional vaccines are pediatric vaccines.The vaccines that can be co-formulated with the polypeptide, virus-like particle, composition, nucleic acid, expression vector and / or cell of the embodiment or combination described herein include, without limitation, vaccines against hepatitis B, vaccines against rotavirus, vaccines against diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis ("DTaP"), vaccines against polio, vaccines against influenza, and vaccines against measles, mumps and rubella ("MMR").

[0089] Treatment Method In another aspect, the disclosure provides a method for vaccinating a subject against infection with RSV (e.g., infection with RSV-A and / or RSV-B), comprising administering to a subject in need thereof an amount of a polypeptide, virus-like particle, composition, nucleic acid, pharmaceutical composition or vaccine (referred to as an "immunogenic composition") of any embodiment herein effective to treat or limit the occurrence of the infection. In some embodiments, such methods prevent disease following infection with RSV subtypes A and / or B. In some embodiments, such methods protect against the occurrence of RSV-associated disease (e.g., severe disease), e.g., pneumonia and / or acute respiratory disease. The subject may be any suitable mammalian subject, including, but not limited to, a human subject. In some embodiments, the subject is a human child, e.g., a child under 12 months of age. In some embodiments, the subject is a human toddler, e.g., about 1 to about 3 years of age or about 1 to about 5 years of age. In some embodiments, the subject is a human adult older than 60 years of age. In some embodiments, the subject is a human adult older than 65 years of age. In certain embodiments, the subject is dependent on the support of others or has serious health concerns or risks (e.g., a frail elderly person). In some embodiments, the subject is a healthy adult between 18 and 60 years of age. In some embodiments, the subject is a healthy adult between 18 and 45 years of age. In another embodiment, the subject is a pregnant female. In some embodiments, the subject is an immunocompromised human adult. In some embodiments, the subject is a human adult suffering from chronic underlying cardiac and / or pulmonary disease or impaired functional capacity. In some embodiments, the subject is at risk for severe RSV disease (e.g., LRTI or pneumonia).

[0090] The immunogenic compositions provided herein can be used to vaccinate a fetus. Administration of certain inactivated vaccines, such as tetanus toxoid, reduced diphtheria toxoid, and acellular pertussis (Tdap) vaccines, as well as influenza vaccines, is recommended during pregnancy to induce immunity in the fetus. Thus, in some embodiments, a method of generating an immune response in a fetus is provided herein, comprising administering an effective amount of an immunogenic composition provided herein to the mother of the fetus. The immunogenic composition can be administered at any suitable time during pregnancy, for example, during the last trimester of pregnancy.

[0091] The immunogenic compositions provided herein may be co-administered with other treatments, e.g., other vaccines. Thus, in some embodiments, subjects treated according to the methods provided herein may also be administered one or more seasonal or pandemic vaccines, e.g., influenza vaccines or SARS-Cov2 vaccines. In some embodiments, subjects treated according to the methods provided herein may also be administered pneumococcal, recombinant varicella (herpes zoster) or Tdap vaccines. One, two or more vaccines may be co-administered with the immunogenic compositions provided herein. "Co-administration" includes both concurrent and subsequent administration. For example, one, two or more vaccines and the immunogenic compositions provided herein may be administered on the same day. In some embodiments, one, two or more vaccines and the immunogenic compositions provided herein are administered within 1 hour, 2 hours, 3 hours, 4 hours, 5 hours, 6 hours, 8 hours, 10 hours or 12 hours.

[0092] In another embodiment, a method for treating a subject suffering from RSV infection is provided herein.As used herein, "treat" or "treating" includes, but is not limited to, achieving one or more of the following:(a) reducing RSV titer (e.g., RSV-A titer and / or RSV-B titer) in a subject;(b) limiting any increase in RSV titer (e.g., RSV-A titer and / or RSV-B titer) in a subject;(c) reducing the severity of RSV infection symptoms (e.g., RSV-A infection and / or RSV-B infection); (d) limiting or preventing the onset of symptoms following RSV infection (e.g., RSV-A and / or RSV-B infection); (e) inhibiting the worsening of symptoms of RSV infection (e.g., RSV-A and / or RSV-B infection); (f) limiting or preventing the recurrence of symptoms of RSV infection (e.g., RSV-A and / or RSV-B infection) in a subject previously symptomatic for RSV infection (e.g., RSV-A and / or RSV-B infection); and / or (e) survival. In some embodiments, the method of vaccination reduces the risk of a subject becoming infected with RSV (e.g., RSV-A and / or RSV-B). In some embodiments, the method of vaccination limits the onset of RSV infection (e.g., RSV-A and / or RSV-B infection). In some embodiments, the method of vaccination reduces the severity of symptoms of RSV infection (e.g., RSV-A and / or RSV-B infection). In some embodiments, the infection with RSV (eg, an infection with RSV-A and / or RSV-B) is a lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI).

[0093] In some embodiments, the methods provided herein can be used to prevent RSV infection or disease (e.g., pneumonia or acute respiratory disease) in a subject. As used herein, "prevent" or "preventing" includes, but is not limited to, achieving one or more of the following: (a) increasing an immune response (antibody and / or cell-based, e.g., CD4 T cells, memory B cells, and / or CD8 T cells) to RSV (e.g., RSV-A and / or RSV-B) that is expected to confer protection against a lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) caused by or associated with RSV in a subject; (b) generating neutralizing antibodies against RSV (e.g., RSV-A and / or RSV-B) in a subject that are expected to reduce the severity of RSV-induced or RSV-associated LRTI in the subject; (c) preventing RSV-induced or RSV-associated LRTI in a subject, as detected by an increase in the subject's viral titer or an increase in one or more symptoms of RSV infection; (d) preventing RSV-induced or RSV-associated severe LRTI in a subject, as detected by an increase in the subject's viral titer or an increase in one or more severe symptoms of RSV infection; (e) reducing the risk of RSV-induced or RSV-associated LRTI or severe LRTI in a population of subjects; or (f) generating an antibody response (or seroconversion) in a subject, e.g., generating neutralizing antibodies against RSV in a subject that are at least 4-fold higher than baseline antibody levels. Prevention can be assessed by comparing immune responses, particularly correlates of protection, in subjects administered the vaccine with the same subjects prior to administration (referred to as baseline), with subjects administered a placebo, or with subjects administered a comparator vaccine.

[0094] As used herein, "limiting" the occurrence of a RSV infection (e.g., a RSV-A infection and / or a RSV-B infection) refers to achieving one or more of the following: (a) an immune response (antibody and / or cell-based, e.g., CD4 T cells, memory B cells and / or CD8 T cells, memory B cells and / or CD8 T cells) to RSV (e.g., RSV-A and / or RSV-B) that is expected to limit an increase in viral titer or symptoms in a subject; (b) generating neutralizing antibodies to RSV (e.g., RSV-A and / or RSV-B) in the subject at a level expected to limit the increase in viral titer or symptoms in the subject; (c) causing reduced RSV titers (e.g., RSV-A and / or RSV-B titers) in the subject after exposure to RSV (e.g., RSV-A and / or RSV-B) compared to a subject not administered the protein complex; and (d) causing reduced incidence or severity of symptoms after RSV infection (e.g., RSV-A infection and / or RSV-B infection). Exemplary symptoms of RSV infection include, but are not limited to, fever, fatigue, cough, stuffy nose, sneezing, shortness of breath, wheezing, and lower respiratory tract infection.

[0095] The methods provided herein can be used to prevent or limit the occurrence of infection with RSV-A and / or RSV-B subtypes.

[0096] Furthermore, the methods provided herein can be used to prevent or limit the occurrence of infection with the original strain of RSV and / or infection with variant strains of RSV. Examples of variant RSV strains include, without limitation, RSV ON1, RSV NA1, RSV LBA1, RSV LBA2, RSV BA, RSV Long, RAV A2, etc. (see, for example, Pandya et al., Pathogens 2019, 8(2), 67; and Melero and Moore, Curr Top Microbiol Immunol. 2013; 372: 59-82). The pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention can be effective in preventing or limiting infection with RSV strains that have not yet been described or discovered.

[0097] The clinical efficacy of respiratory virus vaccines can be evaluated by various means known in the art, including, but not limited to, placebo-controlled clinical efficacy studies to measure viral load or RSV disease symptoms in vaccinated subjects versus control subjects. Correlates of protection can also be defined, such as neutralizing antibody titers (typically expressed as geometric mean titers), fold increase above baseline (typically expressed as geometric fold rise), and antibody response rate (the percentage of subjects who achieve a fold increase in neutralizing antibody titers above a predefined threshold). Guidance on direct and surrogate measures of clinical effectiveness for respiratory illness is available, for example, in Guidance for Industry: Clinical Data Needed to Support the Licensure of Seasonal Inactivated Influenza Vaccines. US Food & Drug Administration (May 2007) and Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection: Developing Antiviral Drugs for Prophylaxis and Treatment Guidance for Industry. US Food & Drug Administration (October 2017).

[0098] In some embodiments, the methods described herein generate an immune response in a subject not known to be infected with RSV (e.g., RSV-A and / or RSV-B), where the immune response functions to limit infection and the development of symptoms of RSV (e.g., RSV-A and / or RSV-B) infection. In some embodiments, the immune response includes the generation of neutralizing antibodies and / or cell-based responses against RSV (e.g., RSV-A and / or RSV-B). In some embodiments, the immune response is at least 1×10 3 , at least 1 × 10 4 , at least 1 × 10 5, at least 1 × 10 6 , at least 1 × 10 7 , at least 1 × 10 8 Or at least 1×10 9 In a further embodiment, the immune response comprises the generation of antibodies against multiple antigenic epitopes or RSV (e.g., RSV-A and / or RSV-B).

[0099] In one embodiment, the methods provided herein can result in an increase in antibody titers in a subject, for example, an increase in RSV-A specific neutralizing antibodies, RSV-B specific neutralizing antibodies, RSV F-protein specific IgG antibodies and / or RSV F-protein specific neutralizing antibodies. Antibody titers can be determined using any suitable assay known in the art or described herein, including, without limitation, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), enzyme-linked immune absorbent spot (ELISpot), competitive ELISA, immunoprecipitation, immunoblotting and agglutination assays.

[0100] In some embodiments, a neutralization or microneutralization (MN) assay can be used to measure the increase in neutralizing antibodies in a subject after administration of a protein complex described herein. Microneutralization refers to neutralization performed in a miniaturized format, e.g., in a 96-well plate. (Micro)neutralization assays are used to test for the inhibition of viruses by antibodies (e.g., purified antibodies, serum, or plasma). The assay measures the level of antibodies present in a sample that can neutralize the virus in vitro. Generally, microneutralization assays for clinical samples are performed using serial dilutions of serum mixed with a fixed concentration of virus. Methods for performing (micro)neutralization assays are well known. Exemplary microneutralization assays have been described. See, for example, van Baalen et al. Vaccine 35 (2017) 46-52.

[0101] If neutralizing antibodies specific for RSV are present in the sample, the virus is neutralized and infection of cells (e.g., HEp-2 cells) is inhibited. Immunofluorescence levels, indicative of viral infection, can be analyzed, for example, using a CTL ImmunoSpot® UV analyzer with BioSpot® analysis software for automated counting of infected cells. Results are generally reported in international units per milliliter (IU / mL). Validation and normalization of the microneutralization assay are described in the Examples below.

[0102] In some embodiments, the methods provided herein provide for an increased or greater than about 1-fold, about 3-fold, about 3-fold, about 4-fold, about 5-fold, about 5-fold, about 6-fold, about 6-fold, about 7-fold, about 7-fold, about 8-fold, about 8-fold, about 9-fold, about 9-fold, about 10-fold, about 10-fold, about 12-fold, about 12-fold, about 15-fold, about 15-fold, about 20-fold, about 20-fold, about 25-fold, about 25-fold, about 30-fold, about 30-fold, about 40-fold, about 40-fold, about 50-fold, about 50-fold, about 60-fold, about 60-fold, about 70-fold, about 70-fold, about 80-fold, about 80-fold, about 90-fold, about 90-fold, or more than about 100-fold increased antibody production (e.g., RSV-A specific neutralizing antibody, RSV-B specific neutralizing antibody, RSV F protein specific IgG antibody, RSV In some embodiments, the methods provided herein result in an increase in antibodies (e.g., an increase in RSV-A specific neutralizing antibodies, RSV-B specific neutralizing antibodies, RSV F-protein specific IgG antibodies, RSV F-protein specific neutralizing antibodies, and / or antibodies to human metapneumovirus) of at least about 3-fold, at least about 4-fold, at least about 5-fold, at least about 10-fold, at least about 15-fold, at least about 20-fold, or at least about 25-fold compared to baseline.

[0103] "Baseline" refers to the antibody measurement immediately prior to administration of the first dose of the immunogenic composition provided herein. In some embodiments, the antibody (e.g., RSV-A specific neutralizing antibody, RSV-B specific neutralizing antibody, RSV F-protein specific IgG antibody, RSV The increase in F-protein specific neutralizing antibodies and / or antibodies against human metapneumovirus is detectable within about 3 days to about 7 days, about 1 week to about 2 weeks, about 2 weeks to about 3 weeks, about 3 weeks to about 4 weeks, about 4 weeks to about 5 weeks, about 5 weeks to about 6 weeks, about 6 weeks to about 7 weeks, about 7 weeks to about 8 weeks, about 8 weeks to about 9 weeks, about 9 weeks to about 10 weeks, about 10 weeks to about 11 weeks, about 11 weeks to about 12 weeks, about 3 months to about 4 months, about 4 months to about 5 months, about 5 months to about 6 months, about 6 months to about 9 months, about 9 months to about 12 months, about 12 months to about 18 months, about 18 months to about 24 months, about 2 years to about 3 years, about 3 years to about 4 years, about 4 years to about 5 years, or about 5 years to about 10 years after administration of the immunogenic composition. In some embodiments, an increase in antibodies (e.g., an increase in RSV-A-specific neutralizing antibodies, RSV-B-specific neutralizing antibodies, RSV F-protein-specific IgG antibodies, RSV F-protein-specific neutralizing antibodies, and / or antibodies to human metapneumovirus) compared to baseline is detectable within about 2 weeks, about 3 weeks, about 4 weeks, about 5 weeks, about 6 weeks, about 7 weeks, about 8 weeks, about 9 weeks, about 10 weeks, about 11 weeks, or about 12 weeks of administration of the immunogenic composition.

[0104] In another embodiment, the methods provided herein can result in an increase in immune cells in a subject, such as an increase in RSV F-protein-specific memory B cells and / or RSV F-protein-specific T cells. The memory B cells and / or T cells can be specific for RSV-A F protein or RSV-B F protein, or can be reactive with both. The number of immune cells in a subject can be determined using any suitable assay known in the art or described herein, including, without limitation, FACS and flow cytometry.

[0105] In some embodiments, the methods provided herein result in an increase in immune cells (e.g., an increase in RSV F-protein-specific memory B cells and / or RSV F-protein-specific T cells) of about 1-fold to about 3-fold, about 3-fold to about 4-fold, about 4-fold to about 5-fold, about 5-fold to about 6-fold, about 6-fold to about 7-fold, about 7-fold to about 8-fold, about 8-fold to about 9-fold, about 9-fold to about 10-fold, about 10-fold to about 12-fold, about 12-fold to about 15-fold, about 15-fold to about 20-fold, about 20-fold to about 25-fold, about 25-fold to about 30-fold, about 30-fold to about 40-fold, about 40-fold to about 50-fold, about 50-fold to about 60-fold, about 60-fold to about 70-fold, about 70-fold to about 80-fold, about 80-fold to about 90-fold, about 90-fold to about 100-fold, or greater than about 100-fold, compared to baseline. In some embodiments, the methods provided herein result in an increase in immune cells in a subject, such as an increase in RSV F-protein-specific memory B cells and / or RSV F-protein-specific T cells. In some embodiments, the methods provided herein result in an increase in immune cells (e.g., an increase in RSV F-protein-specific memory B cells and / or RSV F-protein-specific T cells) of at least about 3-fold, at least about 4-fold, at least about 5-fold, at least about 10-fold, at least about 15-fold, at least about 20-fold, or at least about 25-fold compared to baseline. The memory B cells and / or T cells can be specific for the RSV-A F protein or the RSV-B F protein, or can be reactive with both.

[0106] In some embodiments, the increase in immune cells (e.g., an increase in RSV F-protein-specific memory B cells and / or RSV F-protein-specific T cells) compared to baseline is detectable within about 3 to about 7 days, about 1 to about 2 weeks, about 2 to about 3 weeks, about 3 to about 4 weeks, about 4 to about 5 weeks, about 5 to about 6 weeks, about 6 to about 7 weeks, about 7 to about 8 weeks, about 8 to about 9 weeks, about 9 to about 10 weeks, about 10 to about 11 weeks, about 11 to about 12 weeks, about 3 months to about 4 months, about 4 months to about 5 months, about 5 months to about 6 months, about 6 months to about 9 months, about 9 months to about 12 months, about 12 months to about 18 months, about 18 months to about 24 months, about 2 years to about 3 years, about 3 years to about 4 years, about 4 years to about 5 years, or about 5 years to about 10 years after administration of the immunogenic composition. In some embodiments, an increase in immune cells (e.g., an increase in RSV F-protein-specific memory B cells and / or RSV F-protein-specific T cells) compared to baseline is detectable within about 2 weeks, about 3 weeks, about 4 weeks, about 5 weeks, about 6 weeks, about 7 weeks, about 8 weeks, about 9 weeks, about 10 weeks, about 11 weeks, or about 12 weeks of administration of the immunogenic composition. The memory B cells and / or T cells may be specific for the RSV-A F protein or the RSV-B F protein, or may be reactive with both.

[0107] As used herein, "effective amount" refers to an amount of an immunogenic composition effective to treat and / or limit RSV infection (e.g., RSV-A infection and / or RSV-B infection). The polypeptide, virus-like particle, composition, nucleic acid, pharmaceutical composition or vaccine of any embodiment herein is typically formulated as a pharmaceutical composition, such as those disclosed above, and can be administered via any suitable route, including intranasally, sublingually, orally, parenterally, by inhalation spray, rectally, or topically, in a dosage unit formulation containing conventional pharma- ceutically acceptable carriers, adjuvants, and vehicles. The term parenteral, as used herein, includes subcutaneously, intravenously, intraarterially, intramuscularly, intrasternally, intratendinous, intraspinal, intracranially, intrathoracically, by injection techniques, or intraperitoneally. The polypeptide composition can also be administered via microspheres, liposomes, immune stimulating complexes (ISCOMs), or other microparticulate delivery systems or sustained release formulations introduced into appropriate tissues (e.g., blood).

[0108] Dosage regimens can be adjusted to provide the optimum desired response (e.g., therapeutic or prophylactic response). Suitable dosage ranges include, for example, 0.1 μg / kg to 0.5 μg / kg body weight, 0.5 μg / kg to 1 μg body weight, 1 μg / kg to 2 μg / kg body weight, 2 μg / kg to 3 μg / kg body weight, 3 μg / kg to 4 μg / kg body weight, 4 μg / kg to 5 μg / kg body weight, 5 μg / kg to 6 μg / kg body weight, 6 μg / kg to 7 μg / kg body weight, 7 μg / kg to 8 μg / kg body weight, 8 μg / kg to 9 μg / kg body weight, 9 μg / kg to 10 μg / kg body weight, 10 μg / kg to 15 μg / kg body weight, 15 μg / kg to 20 μg / kg body weight, 20 μg / kg to 25μg / kg body weight, 25μg / kg~30μg / kg body weight, 30μg / kg~35μg / kg body weight, 35μg / kg~40μg / kg body weight, 40μg / kg~45μg / kg body weight, 45μg / kg~50μg / kg body weight, 50μg / kg~55μg / kg body weight, 5 5μg / kg~60μg / kg body weight, 60μg / kg~65μg / kg body weight, 65μg / kg~70μg / kg body weight, 70μg / kg~75μg / kg body weight, 75μg / kg~80μg / kg body weight, 80μg / kg~85μg / kg body weight, 85μg / kg~90μg / kg body weight, 90μg / kg~95μg / kg body weight, 95μg / kg~100μg / kg body weight, 100μg / kg~150μg body weight, 150μg / kg~200μg body weight, 200μg / kg~250μg / kg body weight, 250μg / kg~300μg / kg body weight, 30 0μg / kg~350μg / kg body weight, 350μg / kg~400μg / kg body weight, 400μg / kg~450μg / kg body weight, 450μg / kg~500μg body weight, 500μg / kg~550μg body weight, 550μg / kg~600μg body weight, 600μg / kg~6 50μg body weight, 650μg / kg~700μg body weight, 700μg / kg~750μg / kg body weight, 750μg / kg~800μg / kg body weight, 800μg / kg~850μg / kg body weight, 850μg / kg~900μg / kg body weight, 900μg / kg~950μg / kg body weight, 950μg / kg~1mg / kg body weight, 1mg / kg~2mg / kg body weight, 2mg / kg~3mg / kg body weight, 3mg / kg~4mg / kg body weight, 4mg / kg~5mg / kg body weight, 5mg / kg~6mg / kg body weight, 6mg / kg~7mg / kg body weight,7mg / kg~8mg / kg body weight, 8mg / kg~90mg / kg body weight, 90mg / kg~100mg / kg body weight, 100mg / kg~150mg / kg body weight, 150mg / kg~200mg / kg body weight, 200mg / kg~250mg / k g body weight, 250mg / kg~300mg / kg body weight, 300mg / kg~350mg / kg body weight, 350mg / kg~400mg / kg body weight, 400mg / kg~450mg / kg body weight, 450mg / kg~500mg / kg body weight, 500mg The polypeptide or virus-like particle thereof may be in an amount of 1 g / kg to 550 mg / kg body weight, 550 mg / kg to 600 mg / kg body weight, 600 mg / kg to 650 mg / kg body weight, 650 mg / kg to 700 mg / kg body weight, 700 mg / kg to 750 mg / kg body weight, 750 mg / kg to 800 mg / kg body weight, 800 mg / kg to 850 mg / kg body weight, 850 mg / kg to 900 mg / kg body weight, 900 mg / kg to 950 mg / kg body weight, or 950 mg / kg to 1 g / kg.

[0109] The composition may be delivered in a single bolus, or may be administered more than once (e.g., 2, 3, 4, 5 or more times) as determined by the attending medical professional. In some embodiments, the composition may be administered in doses of about 1 μg, about 2 μg, about 3 μg, about 4 μg, about 5 μg, about 10 μg, about 15 μg, about 20 μg, about 25 μg, about 30 μg, about 35 μg, about 40 μg, about 45 μg, about 50 μg, about 55 μg, about 60 μg, about 65 μg, about 70 μg, about 75 μg, about 80 μg, about 85 μg, about 90 μg, about 10 ... In one embodiment, about 100 μg, about 125 μg, about 150 μg, about 175 μg, about 200 μg, about 225 μg, about 250 μg, about 275 μg, about 300 μg, about 325 μg, about 350 μg, about 375 μg, about 400 μg, about 425 μg, about 450 μg, about 475 μg, or about 500 μg of the polypeptide or virus-like particle thereof is administered. In some embodiments, about 5 μg to about 10 μg, about 10 μg to about 15 μg, about 15 μg to about 20 μg, about 20 μg to about 30 μg, about 30 μg to about 40 μg, about 40 μg to about 50 μg, about 50 μg to about 60 μg, about 60 μg to about 70 μg, about 70 μg to about 80 μg, about 80 μg to about 90 μg, about 90 μg to about 100 μg, about 100 μg to about 110 μg, about 110 μg to about 120 μg , about 120 μg to about 130 μg, about 130 μg to about 140 μg, about 140 μg to about 150 μg, about 150 μg to about 200 μg, about 200 μg to about 250 μg, about 250 μg to about 300 μg, about 300 μg to about 350 μg, about 350 μg to about 400 μg, about 400 μg to about 450 μg, or about 450 μg to about 500 μg of the polypeptide or virus-like particle thereof is administered.

[0110] In some embodiments, about 10 μg to about 100 μg, about 10 μg to about 150 μg, about 10 μg to about 200 μg, about 10 μg to about 250 μg, about 10 μg to about 300 μg, about 10 μg to about 350 μg, about 10 μg to about 400 μg, about 10 μg to about 450 μg, or about 10 μg to about 500 μg of the protein complex is administered.

[0111] In some embodiments, about 25 μg to about 100 μg, about 25 μg to about 150 μg, about 25 μg to about 200 μg, about 25 μg to about 250 μg, about 25 μg to about 300 μg, about 25 μg to about 350 μg, about 25 μg to about 400 μg, about 25 μg to about 450 μg, or about 25 μg to about 500 μg of the protein complex is administered.

[0112] In some embodiments, about 50 μg to about 100 μg, about 50 μg to about 150 μg, about 50 μg to about 200 μg, about 50 μg to about 250 μg, about 50 μg to about 300 μg, about 50 μg to about 350 μg, about 50 μg to about 400 μg, about 50 μg to about 450 μg, or about 50 μg to about 500 μg of the protein complex is administered.

[0113] In some embodiments, about 5 μg to about 150 μg, about 10 μg to about 150 μg, about 25 μg to about 150 μg, about 50 μg to about 150 μg, about 75 μg to about 150 μg, about 100 μg to about 150 μg, or about 125 μg to about 150 μg of the protein complex is administered.

[0114] In some embodiments, about 5 μg to about 125 μg, about 10 μg to about 125 μg, about 25 μg to about 125 μg, about 50 μg to about 125 μg, about 75 μg to about 125 μg, or about 100 μg to about 125 μg of the protein complex is administered.

[0115] In some embodiments, about 5 μg to about 100 μg, about 10 μg to about 100 μg, about 25 μg to about 100 μg, about 50 μg to about 100 μg, or about 75 μg to about 100 μg of the protein complex is administered.

[0116] In some embodiments, about 5 μg to about 75 μg, about 10 μg to about 75 μg, about 25 μg to about 75 μg, or about 50 μg to about 75 μg of the protein complex is administered.

[0117] In some embodiments, about 5 μg to about 50 μg, about 10 μg to about 50 μg, or about 25 μg to about 50 μg of the protein complex is administered.

[0118] In some embodiments, about 1 μg to about 5 μg, about 5 μg to about 10 μg, about 10 μg to about 15 μg, or about 15 μg to about 25 μg of the protein complex is administered.

[0119] In some embodiments, about 1 μg to about 5 μg, about 1 μg to about 10 μg, about 1 μg to about 15 μg, about 1 μg to about 20 μg, about 1 μg to about 25 μg, about 1 μg to about 50 μg, or about 1 μg to about 75 μg of the protein complex is administered.

[0120] In some embodiments, between 1 μg and 5 μg, between 1 μg and 10 μg, between 1 μg and 15 μg, between 1 μg and 20 μg, between 1 μg and 25 μg, between 1 μg and 50 μg, or between 1 μg and 75 μg of the protein complex is administered.

[0121] In some embodiments, about 5 μg to about 10 μg, about 5 μg to about 15 μg, about 5 μg to about 20 μg, about 5 μg to about 25 μg, about 5 μg to about 50 μg, or about 5 μg to about 75 μg of the protein complex is administered.

[0122] In some embodiments, between 5 μg and 10 μg, between 5 μg and 15 μg, between 5 μg and 20 μg, between 5 μg and 25 μg, between 5 μg and 50 μg, or between 5 μg and 75 μg of the protein complex is administered.

[0123] In some embodiments, about 10 μg to about 15 μg, about 10 μg to about 20 μg, about 10 μg to about 25 μg, about 10 μg to about 50 μg, or about 10 μg to about 75 μg of the protein complex is administered.

[0124] In some embodiments, between 10 μg and 15 μg, between 10 μg and 20 μg, between 10 μg and 25 μg, between 10 μg and 50 μg, or between 10 μg and 75 μg of the protein complex is administered.

[0125] In some embodiments, about 25 μg to about 50 μg, or about 25 μg to about 75 μg of the protein complex is administered.

[0126] In some embodiments, between 25 μg and 50 μg, or between 25 μg and 75 μg of the protein complex is administered.

[0127] In some embodiments, about 50 μg to about 75 μg of the protein complex is administered.

[0128] In some embodiments, between 50 μg and 75 μg of the protein complex is administered.

[0129] In some embodiments, the unit dose of the pharmaceutical composition comprises up to 1 μg, up to 2.5 μg, up to 5 μg, up to 7.5 μg, up to 10 μg, up to 12.5 μg, up to 15 μg, up to 17.5 μg, up to 20 μg, up to 22.5 μg, or up to 25 μg of a protein complex, the protein complex comprising 60 copies (20 trimers) of DS-Cav1-I53-50A or DS-Cav1-I53-50AΔcys and 60 copies (12 pentamers) of I53-50B, I53-50B.1, I53-50B.1NegT2 or I53-50B.4PosT1.

[0130] In some embodiments, the methods of the disclosure include administering up to 1 μg, up to 2.5 μg, up to 5 μg, up to 7.5 μg, up to 10 μg, up to 12.5 μg, up to 15 μg, up to 17.5 μg, up to 20 μg, up to 22.5 μg, or up to 25 μg of a protein complex, wherein the protein complex comprises 60 copies (20 trimers) of DS-Cav1-I53-50A or DS-Cav1-I53-50AΔcys and 60 copies (12 pentamers) of I53-50B, I53-50B.1, I53-50B.1NegT2 or I53-50B.4PosT1.

[0131] In some embodiments, the unit dose of the pharmaceutical composition comprises 1 μg, 2.5 μg, 5 μg, 7.5 μg, 10 μg, 12.5 μg, 15 μg, 17.5 μg, 20 μg, 22.5 μg, or 25 μg of a protein complex, the protein complex comprising 60 copies (20 trimers) of DS-Cav1-I53-50A or DS-Cav1-I53-50AΔcys and 60 copies (12 pentamers) of I53-50B, I53-50B.1, I53-50B.1NegT2 or I53-50B.4PosT1.

[0132] In some embodiments, the methods of the disclosure include administering 1 μg, 2.5 μg, 5 μg, 7.5 μg, 10 μg, 12.5 μg, 15 μg, 17.5 μg, 20 μg, 22.5 μg, or 25 μg of a protein complex, wherein the protein complex comprises 60 copies (20 trimers) of DS-Cav1-I53-50A or DS-Cav1-I53-50AΔcys and 60 copies (12 pentamers) of I53-50B, I53-50B.1, I53-50B.1NegT2 or I53-50B.4PosT1.

[0133] In some embodiments, about 1 μg to about 5 μg, about 1 μg to about 10 μg, about 1 μg to about 15 μg, about 1 μg to about 20 μg, about 1 μg to about 25 μg, about 1 μg to about 50 μg, or about 1 μg to about 75 μg of a protein complex is administered, the protein complex comprising 60 copies (20 trimers) of DS-Cav1-I53-50A or DS-Cav1-I53-50AΔcys and 60 copies (12 pentamers) of I53-50B, I53-50B.1, I53-50B.1NegT2 or I53-50B.4PosT1.

[0134] In some embodiments, 1 μg to 5 μg, 1 μg to 10 μg, 1 μg to 15 μg, 1 μg to 20 μg, 1 μg to 25 μg, 1 μg to 50 μg, or 1 μg to 75 μg of a protein complex is administered, the protein complex comprising 60 copies (20 trimers) of DS-Cav1-I53-50A or DS-Cav1-I53-50AΔcys and 60 copies (12 pentamers) of I53-50B, I53-50B.1, I53-50B.1NegT2 or I53-50B.4PosT1.

[0135] In some embodiments, about 5 μg to about 10 μg, about 5 μg to about 15 μg, about 5 μg to about 20 μg, about 5 μg to about 25 μg, about 5 μg to about 50 μg, or about 5 μg to about 75 μg of a protein complex is administered, the protein complex comprising 60 copies (20 trimers) of DS-Cav1-I53-50A or DS-Cav1-I53-50AΔcys and 60 copies (12 pentamers) of I53-50B, I53-50B.1, I53-50B.1NegT2 or I53-50B.4PosT1.

[0136] In some embodiments, 5 μg to 10 μg, 5 μg to 15 μg, 5 μg to 20 μg, 5 μg to 25 μg, 5 μg to 50 μg, or 5 μg to 75 μg of a protein complex is administered, the protein complex comprising 60 copies (20 trimers) of DS-Cav1-I53-50A or DS-Cav1-I53-50AΔcys and 60 copies (12 pentamers) of I53-50B, I53-50B.1, I53-50B.1NegT2 or I53-50B.4PosT1.

[0137] In some embodiments, about 10 μg to about 15 μg, about 10 μg to about 20 μg, about 10 μg to about 25 μg, about 10 μg to about 50 μg, or about 10 μg to about 75 μg of a protein complex is administered, the protein complex comprising 60 copies (20 trimers) of DS-Cav1-I53-50A or DS-Cav1-I53-50AΔcys and 60 copies (12 pentamers) of I53-50B, I53-50B.1, I53-50B.1NegT2 or I53-50B.4PosT1.

[0138] In some embodiments, 10 μg to 15 μg, 10 μg to 20 μg, 10 μg to 25 μg, 10 μg to 50 μg, or 10 μg to 75 μg of a protein complex is administered, the protein complex comprising 60 copies (20 trimers) of DS-Cav1-I53-50A or DS-Cav1-I53-50AΔcys and 60 copies (12 pentamers) of I53-50B, I53-50B.1, I53-50B.1NegT2 or I53-50B.4PosT1.

[0139] In some embodiments, 10 μg of the protein complex is administered, the protein complex comprising 60 copies (20 trimers) of DS-Cav1-I53-50A or DS-Cav1-I53-50AΔcys and 60 copies (12 pentamers) of I53-50B, I53-50B.1, I53-50B.1NegT2 or I53-50B.4PosT1.

[0140] In some embodiments, 25 μg of the protein complex is administered, the protein complex comprising 60 copies (20 trimers) of DS-Cav1-I53-50A or DS-Cav1-I53-50AΔcys and 60 copies (12 pentamers) of I53-50B, I53-50B.1, I53-50B.1NegT2 or I53-50B.4PosT1.

[0141] In some embodiments, 75 μg of the protein complex is administered, the protein complex comprising 60 copies (20 trimers) of DS-Cav1-I53-50A or DS-Cav1-I53-50AΔcys and 60 copies (12 pentamers) of I53-50B, I53-50B.1, I53-50B.1NegT2 or I53-50B.4PosT1.

[0142] In some embodiments, 100 μg of the protein complex is administered, the protein complex comprising 60 copies (20 trimers) of DS-Cav1-I53-50A or DS-Cav1-I53-50AΔcys and 60 copies (12 pentamers) of I53-50B, I53-50B.1, I53-50B.1NegT2 or I53-50B.4PosT1.

[0143] In some embodiments, 250 μg of the protein complex is administered, the protein complex comprising 60 copies (20 trimers) of DS-Cav1-I53-50A or DS-Cav1-I53-50AΔcys and 60 copies (12 pentamers) of I53-50B, I53-50B.1, I53-50B.1NegT2 or I53-50B.4PosT1.

[0144] The protein complex and pharmaceutical composition thereof may be administered in a single dose schedule or a multiple dose schedule. Multiple doses may be used in a primary immunization schedule. In a multiple dose schedule, various doses may be given by the same or different routes, such as parenteral prime and mucosal boost, mucosal prime and parenteral boost, etc. In some embodiments, the second dose of the multiple dose regimen is administered about 2 weeks, about 3 weeks, about 4 weeks, about 5 weeks, or about 6 weeks after the previous dose. In embodiments, each subsequent dose is administered 3 weeks after administration of the previous dose. In embodiments, the first dose is administered on day 0 and the second dose is administered on day 21. In embodiments, the first dose is administered on day 0 and the second dose is administered on day 28.

[0145] Multiple doses of boost can be used in a heterologous boost immunization schedule. For example, one or more doses of a primary vaccine can be administered, followed by more than one administration of a boost vaccine. In a multiple dose boost schedule, the various boost doses can be given by the same or different routes, such as parenteral prime and mucosal boost, mucosal prime and parenteral boost, etc. In some embodiments, the second dose of the multiple dose boost regimen is administered about 2 weeks, about 3 weeks, about 4 weeks, about 5 weeks, or about 6 weeks after the previous dose. In some embodiments, each subsequent dose is administered 3 weeks after administration of the previous dose. In some embodiments, the first boost dose is administered on day 0, and the second boost dose is administered on day 21. In some embodiments, the first boost dose is administered on day 0, and the second boost dose is administered on day 28. In some embodiments, the first boost dose is administered on day 0, and the second boost dose is administered in 3 months.

[0146] In some embodiments, the immunogenic compositions provided herein are administered as a booster to another RSV vaccine, e.g., a live attenuated RSV vaccine, a RSV-A vaccine and a RSV-B vaccine, or a bivalent RSV-A / B vaccine. In some embodiments, the administration comprises administering a first dose and a second dose of the immunogenic composition, where the second dose is administered about 2 weeks to about 12 weeks or about 4 weeks to about 12 weeks after the first dose is administered. In various further embodiments, the second dose is administered about 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, or 12 weeks, about 1 month, about 2 months, about 3 months, about 4 months, about 5 months, about 6 months, about 9 months, about 12 months, about 18 months, about 2 years, about 3 years, about 4 years, or about 5 years after the first dose. In another embodiment, three doses may be administered, the second dose may be administered about 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 or 12 weeks, about 1 month, about 2 months, about 3 months, about 4 months, about 5 months, about 6 months, about 9 months, about 12 months, about 18 months, about 2 years, about 3 years, about 4 years or about 5 years after the first dose, and the third dose may be administered about 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 or 12 weeks, about 1 month, about 2 months, about 3 months, about 4 months, about 5 months, about 6 months, about 9 months, about 12 months, about 18 months, about 2 years, about 3 years, about 4 years or about 5 years after the second dose. The second dose may be a RSV booster dose.

[0147] In some embodiments, more than two doses of the immunogenic composition are administered. In some embodiments, the first and second doses of the immunogenic composition are administered within about 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 or 12 weeks, about 1 month, about 2 months, about 3 months, about 4 months, about 5 months, about 6 months, about 9 months or about 12 months of each other, and the third dose is administered about 1 year, about 2 years, about 3 years, about 4 years or about 5 years after the second dose. In some embodiments, the first and second doses of the immunogenic composition are administered within about 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 or 12 weeks, about 1 month, about 2 months, about 3 months, about 4 months, about 5 months, about 6 months, about 9 months or about 12 months of each other, and the subsequent doses are administered at regular intervals of about 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 years.

[0148] In some embodiments, the subject has previously been infected with RSV (e.g., RSV-A and / or RSV-B). In another embodiment of the method, the subject is infected with RSV (e.g., RSV-A and / or RSV-B) at the time the pharmaceutical composition provided herein is administered, and the administering step elicits an immune response in the subject against RSV (e.g., RSV-A and / or RSV-B) that treats the RSV infection (e.g., RSV-A and / or RSV-B infection) in the subject. When the method includes treating a RSV infection (e.g., RSV-A and / or RSV-B infection), the immunogenic composition is administered to a subject who is already infected with RSV (e.g., RSV-A and / or RSV-B) and / or who is suffering from symptoms (e.g., as described above) that indicate that the subject is likely infected with RSV (e.g., RSV-A and / or RSV-B).

[0149] RSV infection (e.g., RSV-A and / or RSV-B infection) can be diagnosed using any PCR-based or antigen-based test known in the art. In some embodiments, the subject has antibodies to RSV. Anti-RSV antibodies (e.g., RSV-A and / or RSV-B antibodies) can be detected using any serological test known in the art. In some embodiments, the compositions and methods disclosed herein prevent disease after infection with RSV subtypes A and B in elderly individuals.

[0150] The protein conjugates and pharmaceutical compositions of the present disclosure may also be used for heterologous prime-boost vaccination. In some embodiments, the method comprises administering the protein conjugate or pharmaceutical composition thereof about 2 weeks to about 12 weeks or about 4 weeks to about 12 weeks after another vaccine, such as a heterologous prime vaccine. In further embodiments, the pharmaceutical composition is administered about 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 or 12 weeks, about 1 month, about 2 months, about 3 months, about 4 months, about 5 months, about 6 months, about 9 months, about 12 months, about 18 months, about 2 years, about 3 years, about 4 years or about 5 years after the other vaccine. In further embodiments, the protein conjugate or pharmaceutical composition thereof is administered about 2 months or more, about 3 months or more, about 4 months or more, about 5 months or more, about 6 months or more, about 8 months or more, about 10 months or more, or about 12 months or more after a previous vaccine. In some embodiments, the method comprises administering the protein conjugate or pharmaceutical composition thereof about 2 months to about 8 months or about 2 months to about 6 months after another vaccine. The interval between the first (prime) vaccine and the second (boost) vaccine can be 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, or 12 months, or any other suitable interval. The prime vaccine can include multiple doses of the same vaccine, and the heterologous boost vaccine can include multiple doses of the same heterologous vaccine administered at suitable intervals.

[0151] In a variation, the method may include administering the protein complex or pharmaceutical composition thereof indefinitely, for example, at regular intervals. For example, the regular intervals may include every 3 months, every 6 months, every 12 months, every 18 months, or every 24 months. In some embodiments, the polypeptide sequence of the antigen may be modified to counteract antigen drift.

[0152] The protein conjugates and pharmaceutical compositions of the present disclosure may also be used for homologous prime-boost vaccination (e.g., administering a booster dose after a primary regimen of the same vaccine). In some embodiments, the method includes administering the protein conjugate or pharmaceutical composition thereof about 2 weeks to about 12 weeks or about 4 weeks to about 12 weeks after another vaccine, e.g., a heterologous prime vaccine. In further embodiments, the pharmaceutical composition is administered about 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, or 12 weeks, about 1 month, about 2 months, about 3 months, about 4 months, about 5 months, about 6 months, about 9 months, about 12 months, about 18 months, about 2 years, about 3 years, about 4 years, or about 5 years after the other vaccine. In further embodiments, the protein conjugate or pharmaceutical composition thereof is administered about 2 months or more, about 3 months or more, about 4 months or more, about 5 months or more, about 6 months or more, about 8 months or more, about 10 months or more, or about 12 months or more after a previous vaccine. In some embodiments, the method comprises administering the protein conjugate or pharmaceutical composition thereof about 2 months to about 8 months or about 2 months to about 6 months after another vaccine. The interval between the first (prime) vaccine and the second (boost) vaccine can be 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, or 12 months, or any other suitable interval. The prime vaccine can include multiple doses of the same vaccine, and the allogeneic boost vaccine can include multiple doses of the allogeneic vaccine administered at suitable intervals. In some embodiments, the method comprises administering the protein complex or pharmaceutical composition thereof continuously, e.g., over regular intervals, which may include every 3 months, every 6 months, every 12 months, every 18 months, or every 24 months.

[0153] The present disclosure further provides a prime-boost strategy using any known or subsequently developed vaccine, including but not limited to protein, DNA, mRNA, inactivated virus or virus vector vaccines, together with the protein complex or pharmaceutical composition described herein.For example, the protein complex described herein can be used as a primary vaccine, followed by a heterologous boost with another vaccine.If necessary, the subject can receive an additional vaccination with the protein complex described herein.In other variations, another vaccine is used as a primary vaccine, and the protein complex described herein is administered one or more times to boost the response to the primary vaccine.

[0154] kit The present disclosure further provides a kit that can be used to prepare the virus-like particles and compositions of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, the kit provided herein comprises a first component and a second component disclosed herein, and instructions for use in the method of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, the kit comprises one or more unit doses disclosed herein, and instructions for use in the method of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, the kit comprises a vial containing a single dose of the pharmaceutical composition provided herein. In some embodiments, the kit comprises a vial containing multiple doses provided herein. In some embodiments, the kit further comprises instructions for use of the pharmaceutical composition. In some embodiments, the kit further comprises a diluent for preparing a dilution of the pharmaceutical composition before administration. In some embodiments, the pharmaceutical composition comprises an adjuvant. In some embodiments, the kit comprises a pharmaceutical composition and an adjuvant, which must be mixed before administration.

[0155] Enumerated Embodiments The present disclosure provides the following enumerated embodiments:

[0156] 1. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a protein complex comprising a first component comprising a RSV F protein and a first multimerization domain, and one or more pharma- ceutically acceptable diluents or excipients.

[0157] 2. The pharmaceutical composition according to embodiment 1, wherein the protein complex comprises 2, 3, 4, 5 or more copies of the first component.

[0158] 3. The pharmaceutical composition of embodiment 1 or embodiment 2, wherein the protein complex comprises a second component comprising a second multimerization domain.

[0159] 4. The pharmaceutical composition according to embodiment 3, wherein the protein complex comprises 2, 3, 4, 5 or more copies of the second component.

[0160] 5. The pharmaceutical composition according to any one of embodiments 1 to 4, wherein the protein complex comprises a third component comprising a third multimerization domain.

[0161] 6. The pharmaceutical composition according to embodiment 5, wherein the protein complex comprises 2, 3, 4, 5 or more copies of the first component.

[0162] 7. The pharmaceutical composition according to any one of embodiments 1 to 6, wherein the protein complex is a nanostructure, a nanoparticle, or a protein-based virus-like particle.

[0163] 8. The pharmaceutical composition according to any one of embodiments 1 to 7, wherein the components of the protein complex are arranged according to a set of symmetry operators forming a dihedral symmetry group.

[0164] 9. The pharmaceutical composition according to any one of embodiments 1 to 8, wherein the components of the protein complex are arranged according to a set of symmetry operators forming a cyclic symmetry group.

[0165] 10. The pharmaceutical composition according to any one of embodiments 1 to 9, wherein the protein complex is an icosahedral protein complex.

[0166] 11. The pharmaceutical composition according to any one of embodiments 1 to 9, wherein the protein complex is a tetrahedral protein complex.

[0167] 12. The pharmaceutical composition according to any one of embodiments 1 to 9, wherein the protein complex is an octahedral protein complex.

[0168] 13. The pharmaceutical composition according to embodiments 1 to 12, wherein the first multimerization domain is a trimerization domain and / or the second multimerization domain is a pentamerization domain.

[0169] 14. The pharmaceutical composition according to any one of embodiments 2 to 13, wherein the protein complex comprises 20 copies of the first component and 12 copies of the second component.

[0170] 15. The pharmaceutical composition of any one of embodiments 1 to 14, wherein the RSV F protein comprises an amino acid sequence that is at least 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% identical to any one of the amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NOs: 14, 34 and 35.

[0171] 16. The pharmaceutical composition according to any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the first multimerization domain comprises an amino acid sequence that is at least 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% identical to any one of the amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NOs: 24 and 30-31; and / or the second multimerization domain comprises an amino acid sequence that is at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99% or at least 100% identical to any one of the amino acid sequences selected from SEQ ID NOs: 22-23, 25-29 and 32.

[0172] 17. The first component comprises an amino acid sequence at least 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% identical to SEQ ID NO:6; and

[0173] The second component comprises an amino acid sequence that is at least 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% identical to SEQ ID NO:26. 17. A pharmaceutical composition according to any one of embodiments 1 to 16.

[0174] 18. A pharmaceutical composition according to any one of the preceding embodiments, comprising an oil-in-water adjuvant.

[0175] 19. A pharmaceutical composition according to any one of the preceding embodiments, comprising an aluminium hydroxide adjuvant.

[0176] 20. A unit dose of the pharmaceutical composition of any one of embodiments 1 to 19, comprising between about 0.5 μg and about 500 μg of protein complex; between about 0.9 picomoles (pmol) and about 100 pmol of protein complex; and / or between about 1.8 pmol and about 2,000 pmol of RSV F protein.

[0177] 21. The unit dose of embodiment 20, comprising between about 25 μg and about 250 μg of protein complex; between about 5 pmol and about 50 pmol of protein complex; and / or between about 100 pmol and about 1,000 pmol of RSV F protein.

[0178] 22. The unit dose of embodiment 20, comprising between about 25 μg and about 75 μg of protein complex; between about 5 pmol and about 15 pmol of protein complex; and / or between about 100 pmol and about 250 pmol of RSV F protein.

[0179] 23. The unit dose of embodiment 20, comprising between about 75 μg and about 250 μg of protein complex; between about 15 pmol and about 50 pmol of protein complex; and / or between about 250 pmol and about 1,000 pmol of RSV F protein.

[0180] 24. The unit dose of embodiment 20, comprising about 25 μg, about 75 μg, or about 250 μg of protein complex; about 5 pmol, about 15 pmol, or about 50 pmol of protein complex; and / or about 100 pmol, about 250 pmol, or about 1,000 pmol of RSV F protein.

[0181] 25. The unit dose of embodiment 20, comprising at least about 25 μg, at least about 75 μg, or at least about 250 μg of protein complex; at least about 5 pmol, at least about 15 pmol, or at least about 50 pmol of protein complex; and / or at least about 100 pmol, at least about 250 pmol, or at least about 1,000 pmol of RSV F protein.

[0182] 26. The unit dose of embodiment 20, comprising at most about 25 μg, at most about 75 μg, or at most about 250 μg of protein complex; at most about 5 pmol, at most about 15 pmol, or at most about 50 pmol of protein complex; and / or at most about 100 pmol, at most about 250 pmol, or at most about 1,000 pmol of RSV F protein.

[0183] 27. The unit dose of embodiment 20, comprising about 1 μg to about 5 μg, about 5 μg to about 10 μg, about 10 μg to about 15 μg, or about 15 μg to about 25 μg of protein complex.

[0184] 28. A method for vaccinating a subject, comprising administering to the subject an effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition according to any one of embodiments 1 to 19.

[0185] 29. A method for generating an immune response in a subject, comprising administering to the subject an effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition according to any one of embodiments 1 to 19.

[0186] 30. The method of embodiment 29, wherein an immune response to human metapneumovirus (hMPV) F protein is generated concurrently through cross-reactivity with the RSV F protein.

[0187] 31. A method for treating and / or preventing associated severe lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) caused by RSV in a subject, comprising administering to the subject an effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition according to any one of embodiments 1 to 19.

[0188] 32. A method for preventing RSV disease in a subject, comprising administering to the subject an effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition according to any one of embodiments 1 to 19.

[0189] 33. The method of any one of embodiments 28 to 32, wherein the subject is at risk for severe RSV disease.

[0190] 34. The method of embodiment 33, wherein the subject is at risk for severe RSV disease due to underlying diabetes, cardiovascular disease or respiratory disease.

[0191] 35. The method of any one of embodiments 28 to 34, wherein the subject is an adult over 50 years of age, an adult over 55 years of age, or an adult over 60 years of age.

[0192] 36. The method of any one of embodiments 28 to 34, wherein the subject is an adult at least 50 years of age, an adult at least 55 years of age, or an adult at least 60 years of age.

[0193] 37. The method of any one of embodiments 28 to 34, wherein the subject is an adult aged 18 to 45 years.

[0194] 38. The method of any one of embodiments 28 to 34, wherein the subject is a healthy adult aged 18 to 45 years.

[0195] 39. The method of any one of embodiments 28 to 34, wherein the subject is over 18 years of age.

[0196] 40. The method of any one of embodiments 28 to 34, wherein the subject is 18 years of age or older.

[0197] 41. The method of any one of embodiments 28 to 34, wherein the subject is 18 years of age or younger.

[0198] 42. A method for generating an immune response in a fetus, comprising administering to the mother of the fetus an effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition according to any one of embodiments 1 to 19.

[0199] 43. The method according to embodiment 42, wherein the pharmaceutical composition is administered to the mother during the last trimester of pregnancy.

[0200] 44. A method for generating an immune response in an infant and / or for preventing respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) disease in an infant via maternal immunization of a pregnant subject, comprising administering to the subject an effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition according to any one of embodiments 1 to 19.

[0201] 45. The method of any one of embodiments 28 to 44, wherein the effective amount is between about 0.5 μg and about 500 μg of protein complex; between about 0.9 picomoles (pmol) and about 100 pmol of protein complex; and / or between about 1.8 pmol and about 2,000 pmol of RSV F protein.

[0202] 46. ​​The method of embodiment 45, wherein the effective amount is between about 25 μg and about 250 μg of protein complex; between about 5 pmol and about 50 pmol of protein complex; and / or between about 100 pmol and about 1,000 pmol of RSV F protein.

[0203] 47. The method of embodiment 45, wherein the effective amount is between about 25 μg and about 75 μg of protein complex; between about 5 pmol and about 15 pmol of protein complex; and / or between about 100 pmol and about 250 pmol of RSV F protein.

[0204] 48. The method of embodiment 45, wherein the effective amount is between about 75 μg and about 250 μg of protein complex; between about 15 pmol and about 50 pmol of protein complex; and / or between about 250 pmol and about 1,000 pmol of RSV F protein.

[0205] 49. The method of embodiment 45, wherein the effective amount is about 25 μg, about 75 μg, or about 250 μg of the protein complex; about 5 pmol, about 15 pmol, or about 50 pmol of the protein complex; and / or about 100 pmol, about 250 pmol, or about 1,000 pmol of RSV F protein.

[0206] 50. The method of embodiment 45, wherein the effective amount is at least about 25 μg, at least about 75 μg, or at least about 250 μg of protein complex; at least about 5 pmol, at least about 15 pmol, or at least about 50 pmol of protein complex; and / or at least about 100 pmol, at least about 250 pmol, or at least about 1,000 pmol of RSV F protein.

[0207] 51. The method of embodiment 45, wherein the effective amount is at most about 25 μg, at most about 75 μg, or at most about 250 μg of protein complex; at most about 5 pmol, at most about 15 pmol, or at most about 50 pmol of protein complex; and / or at most about 100 pmol, at most about 250 pmol, or at most about 1,000 pmol of RSV F protein.

[0208] 52. The method of embodiment 45, wherein the effective amount is about 0.5 μg to about 1 μg, about 20 μg to about 25 μg, about 70 μg to about 75 μg, about 100 μg to about 125 μg, or about 200 μg to about 250 μg of the protein complex.

[0209] 53. The method of any one of embodiments 28 to 52, further comprising administering a second dose of the pharmaceutical composition.

[0210] 54. The method of embodiment 53, wherein the second dose is administered within about 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 or 12 weeks, about 1 month, about 2 months, about 3 months, about 4 months, about 5 months, about 6 months, about 9 months, about 12 months, about 24 months or about 36 months of the first dose.

[0211] 55. The method of embodiment 53 or embodiment 54, further comprising administering a third dose of the pharmaceutical composition.

[0212] 56. The method of embodiment 55, wherein the third dose is administered about 1 year, about 2 years, about 3 years, about 4 years, about 5 years, about 6 years, about 7 years, about 8 years, about 9 years or about 10 years after the second dose.

[0213] 57. The method of embodiment 55 or embodiment 56, further comprising administering subsequent doses at regular intervals of about 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 years.

[0214] 58. The method of any one of embodiments 28 to 57, which limits the occurrence of RSV infection in a subject.

[0215] 59. The method of any one of embodiments 28 to 57, which limits the occurrence of further severe lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) in a subject.

[0216] 60. The method of any one of embodiments 28 to 57, which results in the production of RSV-A specific neutralizing antibodies in a subject.

[0217] 61. The method of embodiment 60, which results in an increase in RSV-A-specific neutralizing antibodies in the subject of at least about 2-fold, at least about 3-fold, at least about 4-fold, at least about 5-fold, at least about 8-fold, at least about 10-fold, at least about 15-fold, at least about 20-fold, or at least about 25-fold compared to baseline.

[0218] 62. The method of embodiment 60 or embodiment 61, wherein an increase in RSV-A-specific neutralizing antibodies is detectable within about 1 week, about 2 weeks, about 3 weeks, about 4 weeks, about 5 weeks, about 6 weeks, about 7 weeks, about 8 weeks, about 9 weeks, about 10 weeks, about 11 weeks, or about 12 weeks after administration of the pharmaceutical composition.

[0219] 63. The method of any one of embodiments 28 to 62, which results in the production of RSV-B-specific neutralizing antibodies in a subject.

[0220] 64. The method of embodiment 63, which results in an increase in RSV-B-specific neutralizing antibodies in the subject of at least about 2-fold, at least about 3-fold, at least about 4-fold, at least about 5-fold, at least about 8-fold, at least about 10-fold, at least about 15-fold, at least about 20-fold, or at least about 25-fold compared to baseline.

[0221] 65. The method of embodiment 63 or embodiment 64, wherein an increase in RSV-B-specific neutralizing antibodies is detectable within about 1 week, about 2 weeks, about 3 weeks, about 4 weeks, about 5 weeks, about 6 weeks, about 7 weeks, about 8 weeks, about 9 weeks, about 10 weeks, about 11 weeks, or about 12 weeks after administration of the pharmaceutical composition.

[0222] 66. The method of any one of embodiments 28 to 65, which results in the production of RSV F protein-specific IgG antibodies in a subject.

[0223] 67. The method of embodiment 66, which results in an increase in RSV F protein-specific IgG antibodies in a subject of at least about 2-fold, at least about 3-fold, at least about 4-fold, at least about 5-fold, at least about 8-fold, at least about 10-fold, at least about 15-fold, at least about 20-fold, or at least about 25-fold compared to baseline.

[0224] 68. The method of embodiment 66 or embodiment 67, wherein an increase in RSV F protein-specific IgG antibodies is detectable within about 1 week, about 2 weeks, about 3 weeks, about 4 weeks, about 5 weeks, about 6 weeks, about 7 weeks, about 8 weeks, about 9 weeks, about 10 weeks, about 11 weeks, or about 12 weeks after administration of the pharmaceutical composition.

[0225] 69. The method of any one of embodiments 58 to 68, which results in the production of core-VLP-specific IgG antibodies in a subject.

[0226] 70. The method of embodiment 69, which results in an increase in core-VLP-specific IgG antibodies in the subject of at least about 2-fold, at least about 3-fold, at least about 4-fold, at least about 5-fold, at least about 8-fold, at least about 10-fold, at least about 15-fold, at least about 20-fold, or at least about 25-fold compared to baseline.

[0227] 71. The method of embodiment 69 or embodiment 70, wherein the increase in core-VLP-specific IgG antibodies is detectable within about 1 week, about 2 weeks, about 3 weeks, about 4 weeks, about 5 weeks, about 6 weeks, about 7 weeks, about 8 weeks, about 9 weeks, about 10 weeks, about 11 weeks or about 12 weeks of administration of the pharmaceutical composition.

[0228] 72. The method of any one of embodiments 58 to 68, which does not substantially result in the production of core-VLP-specific IgG antibodies in a subject.

[0229] 73. The method of any one of embodiments 58 to 72, which results in the production of RSV F protein-specific memory B cells in a subject.

[0230] 74. The method of embodiment 73, which results in an increase in RSV F-protein-specific memory B cells in a subject of at least about 2-fold, at least about 3-fold, at least about 4-fold, at least about 5-fold, at least about 8-fold, at least about 10-fold, at least about 15-fold, at least about 20-fold, or at least about 25-fold compared to baseline.

[0231] 75. The method of embodiment 73 or embodiment 74, wherein an increase in RSV F protein-specific memory B cells is detectable within about 1 week, about 2 weeks, about 3 weeks, about 4 weeks, about 5 weeks, about 6 weeks, about 7 weeks, about 8 weeks, about 9 weeks, about 10 weeks, about 11 weeks, or about 12 weeks after administration of the pharmaceutical composition.

[0232] 76. The method of any one of embodiments 58 to 75, which results in the production of RSV F protein-specific T cells in a subject.

[0233] 77. The method of embodiment 76, which results in an increase in RSV F-protein-specific T cells in a subject of at least about 2-fold, at least about 3-fold, at least about 4-fold, at least about 5-fold, at least about 8-fold, at least about 10-fold, at least about 15-fold, at least about 20-fold, or at least about 25-fold compared to baseline.

[0234] 78. The method of embodiment 76 or embodiment 77, wherein an increase in RSV F-protein-specific T cells is detectable within about 1 week, about 2 weeks, about 3 weeks, about 4 weeks, about 5 weeks, about 6 weeks, about 7 weeks, about 8 weeks, about 9 weeks, about 10 weeks, about 11 weeks, or about 12 weeks after administration of the pharmaceutical composition.

[0235] 79. The method of any one of embodiments 58 to 78, which results in the production of neutralizing antibodies against human metapneumovirus in a subject.

[0236] 80. The method of embodiment 79, which results in an increase in neutralizing antibodies against human metapneumovirus in the subject of at least about a 2-fold, at least about a 3-fold, at least about a 4-fold, at least about a 5-fold, at least about a 8-fold, at least about a 10-fold, at least about a 15-fold, at least about a 20-fold, or at least about a 25-fold increase compared to baseline.

[0237] 81. The method of embodiment 79 or embodiment 80, wherein an increase in antibodies against human metapneumovirus is detectable within about 1 week, about 2 weeks, about 3 weeks, about 4 weeks, about 5 weeks, about 6 weeks, about 7 weeks, about 8 weeks, about 9 weeks, about 10 weeks, about 11 weeks, or about 12 weeks of administration of the pharmaceutical composition.

[0238] 82. The method of any one of embodiments 28 to 81, which prevents severe LRTI associated with or caused by RSV more effectively than a method involving administration of a trimeric antigen having an amino acid sequence at least 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% identical to any one of the amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NOs: 7, 14, 34 and 35.

[0239] 83. The method of any one of embodiments 28 to 82, which prevents severe LRTI associated with or caused by RSV more effectively than a method involving administration of a trimeric antigen having an amino acid sequence at least 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% identical to any one of the amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NOs: 7, 14, 34 and 35.

[0240] 84. The method of any one of embodiments 28 to 83, which generates more RSV-A and / or RSV-B specific neutralizing antibodies than a method involving administration of a trimeric antigen having an amino acid sequence at least 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% identical to any one of the amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NOs: 7, 14, 34 and 35.

[0241] 85. The method of any one of embodiments 28 to 84, which produces protective immunity for a longer period of time than a method involving administration of a trimeric antigen having an amino acid sequence at least 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% identical to any one of the amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NOs: 7, 14, 34 and 35.

[0242] 86. The method of any one of embodiments 28 to 85, which generates a neutralizing antibody response that lasts for at least 12 months.

[0243] 87. The method of any one of embodiments 28 to 86, which produces protective immunity lasting for at least 12 months.

[0244] 88. The method of any one of embodiments 28 to 87, wherein the adjuvant, when present, increases the durability of a neutralizing antibody response, cross-protection of a neutralizing antibody response, and / or the magnitude of B cell or T cell activation in a subject.

[0245] 89. The method of any one of embodiments 28 to 88, which causes fewer adverse events than a method involving administration of a trimeric antigen having an amino acid sequence at least 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% identical to any one of the amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NOs: 7, 14, 34 and 35.

[0246] 90. The method of any one of embodiments 28 to 89, wherein the method produces RSV-A and / or RSV-B specific neutralizing antibodies in the subject with a geometric mean titer (GMT) of greater than 1,000 international units per milliliter (IU / mL), greater than 2,000 IU / mL, greater than 3,000 IU / mL, greater than 4,000 IU / mL, greater than 5,000 IU / mL, greater than 6,000 IU / mL, greater than 7,000 IU / mL, greater than 8,000 IU / mL, greater than 9,000 IU / mL, or greater than 10,000 IU / mL.

[0247] 91. The method of any one of embodiments 28 to 89, wherein the method produces RSV-A and / or RSV-B specific neutralizing antibodies in a subject with a GMT of greater than 1,000 IU / mL, greater than 2,000 IU / mL, greater than 3,000 IU / mL, greater than 4,000 IU / mL, greater than 5,000 IU / mL, greater than 6,000 IU / mL, greater than 7,000 IU / mL, greater than 8,000 IU / mL, greater than 9,000 IU / mL, or greater than 10,000 IU / mL, and the subject is an adult between 18 and 45 years of age.

[0248] 92. The method of any one of embodiments 28 to 89, wherein the subject generates RSV-A and / or RSV-B specific neutralizing antibodies with a GMT of greater than 1,000 IU / mL, greater than 2,000 IU / mL, greater than 3,000 IU / mL, greater than 4,000 IU / mL, greater than 5,000 IU / mL, greater than 6,000 IU / mL, greater than 7,000 IU / mL, greater than 8,000 IU / mL, greater than 9,000 IU / mL, or greater than 10,000 IU / mL, and the subject is an adult between 60 and 75 years of age.

[0249] The method of any one of embodiments 28 to 89, which generates RSV-A specific neutralizing antibodies in a subject with a GMT greater than 93.3,000 IU / mL.

[0250] The method of any one of embodiments 28 to 89, wherein the method generates RSV-A specific neutralizing antibodies in a subject with a GMT greater than 94.3,000 IU / mL, and the subject is an adult aged 18 to 45 years.

[0251] The method of any one of embodiments 28 to 89, wherein the method produces RSV-A specific neutralizing antibodies in a subject with a GMT greater than 95.3,000 IU / mL, and the subject is an adult between 60 and 75 years of age.

[0252] 96. The method of any one of embodiments 28 to 95, wherein the subject has a GMT of greater than 1,000 immunosorbent assay units per milliliter (EU / mL), greater than 2,000 EU / mL, greater than 3,000 EU / mL, greater than 4,000 EU / mL, greater than 5,000 EU / mL, greater than 6,000 EU / mL, greater than 7,000 EU / mL, greater than 8,000 EU / mL, greater than 9,000 EU / mL, or greater than 10,000 EU / mL.

[0253] 97. The method of any one of embodiments 28 to 96, wherein the subject produces pre-fusion RSV F-binding IgG antibodies with a GMT of greater than 1,000 EU / mL, greater than 2,000 EU / mL, greater than 3,000 EU / mL, greater than 4,000 EU / mL, greater than 5,000 EU / mL, greater than 6,000 EU / mL, greater than 7,000 EU / mL, greater than 8,000 EU / mL, greater than 9,000 EU / mL, or greater than 10,000 EU / mL, and the subject is an adult aged 18 to 45 years.

[0254] 98. The method of any one of embodiments 28 to 97, wherein the subject produces pre-fusion RSV F-binding IgG antibodies with a GMT of greater than 1,000 EU / mL, greater than 2,000 EU / mL, greater than 3,000 EU / mL, greater than 4,000 EU / mL, greater than 5,000 EU / mL, greater than 6,000 EU / mL, greater than 7,000 EU / mL, greater than 8,000 EU / mL, greater than 9,000 EU / mL, or greater than 10,000 EU / mL, and the subject is an adult aged 60 to 75 years.

[0255] The method of any one of embodiments 28 to 98, which generates RSV-A specific neutralizing antibodies in a subject with a GMT of greater than 99.3,000 EU / mL.

[0256] The method of any one of embodiments 28 to 99, wherein the method produces RSV-A specific neutralizing antibodies in a subject with a GMT greater than 100.3,000 EU / mL, and the subject is an adult aged 18 to 45 years.

[0257] The method of any one of embodiments 28 to 100, wherein the method produces RSV-A specific neutralizing antibodies in a subject with a GMT higher than 101.3,000 EU / mL, and the subject is an adult aged 60 to 75 years.

[0258] 102. The method of any one of embodiments 28 to 101, which results in a RSV-A antibody response rate of at least 20%, at least 30%, at least 40%, at least 50%, at least 60%, at least 70%, at least 80% or at least 90%, a 4-fold increase or an 8-fold increase.

[0259] 103. The method of any one of embodiments 28 to 102, which results in a RSV-A antibody response rate of 20% to 40%, 30% to 50%, 40% to 60%, 50% to 70%, 60% to 80%, or 70% to 90%, a 4-fold increase, or an 8-fold increase.

[0260] 104. The method of any one of embodiments 28 to 103, which results in a RSV-B antibody response rate of at least 20%, at least 30%, at least 40%, at least 50%, at least 60%, at least 70%, at least 80% or at least 90%, a 4-fold increase or an 8-fold increase.

[0261] 105. The method of any one of embodiments 28 to 104, which results in an RSV-B antibody response rate of 20% to 40%, 30% to 50%, 40% to 60%, 50% to 70%, 60% to 80%, or 70% to 90%, a 4-fold increase, or an 8-fold increase.

[0262] 106. The method of any one of embodiments 28 to 105, wherein the pharmaceutical composition causes serious adverse events in less than 20%, less than 10%, less than 5%, or about 0% of subjects to whom the pharmaceutical composition is administered.

[0263] 107. The method of any one of embodiments 28 to 105, wherein less than 20%, less than 10%, less than 5% or about 0% of subjects to whom the pharmaceutical composition is administered experience serious adverse events, and the subjects are adults aged 18 to 45 years.

[0264] 108. The method of any one of embodiments 28 to 105, wherein less than 20%, less than 10%, less than 5% or about 0% of subjects to whom the pharmaceutical composition is administered experience serious adverse events, and the subjects are adults aged 60 to 75 years.

[0265] 109. The method of any one of embodiments 28 to 105, wherein the pharmaceutical composition causes serious adverse events in less than 20%, less than 10%, less than 5%, or about 0% of subjects to whom the pharmaceutical composition is administered.

[0266] 110. The method of any one of embodiments 28 to 105, wherein less than 20%, less than 10%, less than 5% or about 0% of subjects to whom the pharmaceutical composition is administered experience serious adverse events, and the subjects are adults aged 18 to 45 years.

[0267] 111. The method of any one of embodiments 28 to 105, wherein less than 20%, less than 10%, less than 5% or about 0% of subjects to whom the pharmaceutical composition is administered experience serious adverse events, and the subjects are adults aged 60 to 75 years.

[0268] 112. The method according to any one of embodiments 28 to 111, wherein the pharmaceutical composition is substantially free of any adjuvant.

[0269] 113. The method of any one of embodiments 28 to 112, wherein the pharmaceutical composition is substantially free of aluminum salt adjuvants.

[0270] 114. The method of any one of embodiments 28 to 112, wherein the pharmaceutical composition is substantially free of alum. EXAMPLES

[0271] The following non-limiting examples are provided to illustrate the operation of the embodiments disclosed herein. All examples were performed using a non-limiting embodiment of a protein-based VLP having an icosahedral structure formed from a first component (SEQ ID NO:6) displaying RSV F DS-Cav1 (SEQ ID NO:14) on a first multimerization domain (SEQ ID NO:24) complexed with a second component (SEQ ID NO:26), and having 20 copies of the first component and 12 copies of the second component. Example 1 Characterization of RSV vaccine-induced immune responses in naive mice The objective of this study was to evaluate the ability of RSV vaccines with and without aluminum hydroxide adjuvant to generate RSV-neutralizing antibody responses in naive Balb / c mice.

[0272] method: The study included 70 female Balb / c mice, distributed into seven groups of 10 animals per group. Candidate RSV vaccines were administered intramuscularly on days 0, 21, and 42 at three dose levels (8.33 μg, 2.5 μg, and 0.83 μg) either unadjuvanted, adjuvanted with Alhydrogel (aluminum hydroxide adjuvant), or adjuvanted with Addavax (oil-in-water emulsion). Serum samples were obtained on days 0, 42, and 56 to measure neutralizing antibody titers using a virus neutralization assay. Clinical observations were performed daily and animals were weighed weekly. The study included 70 female Balb / c mice, distributed into seven groups of 10 animals per group (see Table 2 below). [Table 2]

[0273] result Clinical observations were normal following vaccination with all doses and formulations of RSV vaccine. All mice remained healthy and survived until the termination of the study.

[0274] RSV neutralization titers on days 0, 42 (after booster dose 1), and 56 (after booster dose 2) were statistically higher for the adjuvanted groups compared to the corresponding non-adjuvanted groups (Figures 1A-1C).

[0275] conclusion Results from virus neutralization showed that formulations with aluminum hydroxide adjuvant (Alhydrogel) enhanced the immunogenicity of the RSV candidate vaccine compared to the aqueous formulation after a priming dose on day 0 and one or two booster doses (days 21 and 42, respectively). The adjuvant effect of aluminum hydroxide was demonstrated at all dose levels tested (8.33 μg, 2.5 μg, and 0.83 μg).

[0276] Example 2 Characterization of RSV vaccine-induced immune responses in primed (seropositive) mice The objective of this study was to evaluate the ability of RSV vaccines with and without aluminum hydroxide adjuvant to boost RSV-neutralizing antibody and cellular immune responses in a seropositive RSVA2 Balb / c mouse model.

[0277] method 200 female Balb / c mice, 6-8 weeks old, 1 × 10 6 Mice were infected intranasally with pfu of RSV A2 and housed for 12 weeks to allow for resolution of infection and establishment of immunological memory. Twenty mice were not infected and served as naive controls.

[0278] Animals were assigned to 19 experimental groups according to neutralizing antibody titers from serum samples on day 28 to obtain comparable groups. Mice were vaccinated intramuscularly on day 91 with one of four different dose levels of candidate RSV vaccine (1.66, 0.5, 0.16 and 0.016 μg) or an equivalent amount of stabilized RSV F-protein (1, 0.3, 0.1 and 0.01 μg) (Table 3). RSV neutralization titers were measured on days 0, 28, 87 and 101. Serum samples were collected from each animal pre-infection on day 0, 28, 87 and 101 (Table 4). Splenocytes were isolated from a subset of animals on days 101 and 102 and stimulated with RSV-specific peptides in an ELISpot assay or a cytokine release assay (a cell-mediated immune assay). [Table 3] [Table 4] result

[0279] Clinical observations were normal following vaccination with all test vaccines. All mice remained healthy and survived until the termination of the study.

[0280] Results from virus neutralization assays demonstrated that neutralization titers were increased following vaccination of RSV-primed mice with RSV vaccines formulated with and without Alhydrogel (Figure 2).

[0281] Low doses of RSV vaccine induced superior neutralization titers compared to RSV F-protein in the absence of Alhydrogel (0.3, 0.1 and 0.01 μg antigen, normalized as RSV F-protein equivalents).

[0282] Similar responses were observed with 1 μg doses of RSV vaccine and RSV F-protein in saline, likely due to saturation of the humoral response. Unexpectedly, 1 μg of RSV F-protein / Alhydrogel showed higher neutralization titers than an equivalent dose of RSV vaccine / Alhydrogel.

[0283] No consistent increase in titers could be demonstrated for RSV vaccines formulated in Alhydrogel compared to RSV vaccines formulated in saline.

[0284] Increases in secreted cytokines were also measured with a similar profile to the response observed after RSV reinfection (higher Th1 cytokines IFNγ and TNFα than Th2 cytokines IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13) (data not shown).

[0285] conclusion Results from virus neutralization assays demonstrated that in RSV-primed mice, increases in neutralizing antibody titers were observed following vaccination with RSV vaccines with and without Alhydrogel for all doses tested. In contrast to what was observed in naive mice, a consistent increase in neutralizing antibody titers could not be demonstrated for vaccines formulated with Alhydrogel compared to vaccines formulated with saline.

[0286] Results from ELISpot analysis on splenocytes showed that IFNγ-producing CD4+ cells, and to a lesser extent, CD8+ T cells specific for the F peptide, could be boosted by vaccines formulated with or without Alhydrogel.

[0287] In conclusion, the RSV vaccine tested with and without Alhydrogel was able to boost RSV neutralizing antibody titers and cell-mediated immune responses in a seropositive RSVA2 Balb / c mouse model.

[0288] Example 3 Safety and immunogenicity evaluation in rabbits This study was designed to explore the safety and immunogenicity of up to three vaccinations with a soluble RSV vaccine (Addavax, in an oil-in-water emulsion) and an aluminum hydroxide (Alhydrogel)-adjuvanted formulation in rabbits. The objectives of this study were to develop an initial evaluation of the safety of the RSV vaccine in rabbits; to evaluate the immune response in vaccinated animals; and to evaluate whether the presence of pre-existing antibodies against the VLP core (i.e., a protein complex lacking the RSV F-protein) would interfere with responses to the RSV vaccine in rabbits.

[0289] method Five New Zealand White (NZW) female rabbits (Group 1) were administered 0.5 mg of VLP core with Addavax by IM injection on days 1 and 14. The rabbits in Group 1 were subsequently vaccinated with 0.25 mg of RSV vaccine adsorbed to 0.5 mg aluminum hydroxide adjuvant on days 56, 70, and 84. Two further groups of three female rabbits each were vaccinated with 0.25 mg of RSV vaccine alone (Group 2) or 0.25 mg adsorbed to 0.5 mg aluminum hydroxide adjuvant (Group 3) without the VLP core prior to administration on days 56, 70, and 84. All vaccinations consisted of a total volume of 0.5 mL split into two 0.25 mL injections (injections in the right and left thighs).

[0290] Animals were monitored daily throughout the study for morbidity and / or mortality, and body weights were collected prior to and 24 hours after each vaccination, and on day 28 for all groups. Clinical chemistry and hematology were evaluated prior to treatment (day 0) and one day after the first vaccination (day 57) for groups 2 and 3. Serum was collected for RSV neutralizing antibody titers prior to the first vaccination (day 0) for all groups, and on days 13, 27, 55, 69, 83, and 98 for group 1, and days 0, 55, 57, 69, 82, and 98 for groups 2 and 3. All animals were sacrificed 14 days after the last dose (day 98), and gross necropsies were performed on animals in groups 2 and 3.

[0291] result The animals gained weight throughout the study without abnormal clinical signs and remained alert and healthy until their intended sacrifice. Furthermore, there were no changes in clinical chemistry parameters that could be attributed to the soluble or aluminum hydroxide-adjuvanted RSV vaccines. The only potential test article-related changes were limited to increases in blood basophils and eosinophils after the first vaccination compared to pre-vaccination values. At sacrifice on day 98, no notable macroscopic findings were noted for any organs during necropsy.

[0292] Most of the animals that received the aluminum hydroxide-adjuvanted formulation of the RSV vaccine (6 of 8 in groups 1 and 3) generated measurable neutralizing responses after a single vaccination (day 69) (Figure 3). Neutralizing antibody titers were higher after two vaccinations with the RSV vaccine (day 83) compared to preimmune sera (day 55) (Figure 3). A third vaccination (day 98) did not appreciably increase the neutralizing titers (Figure 3). Neutralizing antibody titers in sera from animals prevaccinated with the first component of the RSV vaccine on days 1 and 14 (group 1) were similar to those in naive animals (group 3) after two or three vaccinations (days 83 and 98, respectively).

[0293] conclusion The maximum predicted human dose of 250 μg of RSV vaccine administered as an aqueous antigen or adsorbed to aluminum hydroxide adjuvant was well tolerated by rabbits. After two doses of the test article, functional immune responses (i.e., RSV / A neutralizing antibodies) were induced in all animals, confirming the immunogenicity of the vaccine. Prior vaccination with VLP cores lacking the RSV F antigen induced antibodies that did not appear to affect the ability of the RSV vaccine formulated in aluminum hydroxide adjuvant to generate neutralizing antibodies.

[0294] Example 4 Repeated intramuscular dose vaccine toxicity study in rabbits with 4-week recovery The objective of this study was to evaluate the toxicity of multiple injections of RSV vaccine with or without aluminum hydroxide adjuvant in NZW rabbits.

[0295] method NZW rabbits were vaccinated (0.5 mL / dose) with sterile saline (negative control), 0.25 mg of RSV vaccine alone, or 0.25 mg of RSV vaccine adsorbed to 0.5 mg aluminum hydroxide adjuvant, once every 2 weeks (i.e., administration on days 1, 15, and 29) for a total of three vaccinations. The volume per injection and dose levels of RSV vaccine without adjuvant and with aluminum hydroxide adjuvant are equivalent to the intended clinical dose and injection volume. Five animals / sex were sacrificed three days after the third vaccination (day 32); the remaining animals (5 / sex / group) were maintained for an additional 4 weeks and sacrificed on recovery day (RD) 29 (study day 61). See Table 5 for group assignments.

[0296] The RSV vaccine formulation contained 0.5 mg / mL RSV vaccine in 20 mM Tris, 200 mM NaCl, 4% sucrose, pH 7.8±0.2, with or without 1 mg / mL aluminum hydroxide adjuvant. [Table 5]

[0297] Viability checks for morbidity and mortality were performed twice daily, and cage-side observations were performed once daily during the dosing and recovery phases. Detailed clinical observations were recorded weekly and prior to sacrifice during the dosing phase, and weekly during recovery. Body weights were obtained before and 24 hours after each vaccination, as well as on days 8 and 31 during the dosing phase and weekly during recovery, and food consumption was recorded daily throughout the study. Injection sites were observed using a modified Draize technique prior to dosing on day 1, and approximately 1, 4, 24, 48, and 72 hours after each vaccination. Temperatures were recorded before each administration and approximately 6 and 24 hours after the dose. Eye exams were performed prior to the study and during the final week of the dosing and recovery periods. Clinical chemistry, hematology, coagulation and C-reactive protein were assessed pre-study, approximately 48 hours after the first and last dose (days 3 and 41).

[0298] For immunogenicity analysis, serum samples were collected pre-study, pre-dose on day 29, and at RD 29. RSV neutralizing antibody titers were measured.

[0299] At the time of scheduled sacrifice (day 31 and RD29), a complete necropsy (gross pathology) was performed, a subset of organs was weighed, bone marrow smears were collected, and a complete panel of tissues was examined microscopically.

[0300] result All animals survived to their scheduled sacrifice date and no test article effects were noted on clinical or skin observations, ophthalmologic examinations, body weights, food consumption, body temperature, gross pathology or hematology, coagulation or clinical chemistry parameters. The only test article-related effect was observed at the time of terminal sacrifice (3 days after the last dose). These findings consisted of a minimal increase in lymphocytes in the spleen, characterized by multifocal enlarged germinal centers in the white pulp, along with variable enlargement of the marginal zone, and a generally correlated minor increase in mean absolute and relative spleen weights, up to approximately 1.3-fold compared to saline, in both male and female animals. Four weeks after the last dose, splenic lymphocyte counts were still high in females of both groups, albeit at a lower incidence, suggesting reversibility, whereas in males, the effect was completely resolved. Spleen organ weights were similar to those of Group 1 (saline), demonstrating complete recovery in both males and females. In general, these findings were considered non-adverse as they were non-serious in nature and consistent with an immune response to the test article.

[0301] RSV / A-specific neutralizing antibodies were elicited following repeated IM injections of 0.25 mg / dose of RSV vaccine. Peak serum neutralizing antibody titers were detected by day 29 of the dosing phase (before the last dose). A slight decrease in RSV / A-specific neutralizing antibody titers was observed 4 weeks after the last vaccine injection. Animals administered the aluminum hydroxide adjuvanted RSV vaccine (Group 3) produced approximately 3.4- and 5.1-fold higher titers at day 29 of the dosing phase and at the end of the recovery phase, respectively, compared to animals administered the unadjuvanted RSV vaccine (Group 2).

[0302] conclusion Repeated IM injections of 0.25 mg of RSV vaccine once every 2 weeks (days 1, 15, and 29) were immunogenic and well tolerated by male and female rabbits. Peak RSV / A-specific neutralizing antibody titers occurred by day 29 of the dosing phase (before the third dose), with a small decrease in titers occurring after a 4-week recovery period. Animals administered the aluminum hydroxide adjuvanted RSV vaccine produced approximately 3.4-fold and 5.1-fold higher titers at day 29 of the dosing phase and at the end of the recovery period, respectively, compared to animals administered the unadjuvanted RSV vaccine. At terminal sacrifice (3 days after the last dose), similar test article-related findings consisting of an increase in lymphocytes present in the spleen with a correlating increased spleen weight were observed in both unadjuvanted and aluminum hydroxide adjuvanted RSV vaccine administered animals. At the time of recovery sacrifice (4 weeks after the last dose), minimally increased lymphocytes persisted in the spleens of some females, albeit at a lower incidence, suggesting partial reversibility, and were fully reversed in males. These findings, which were not severe in nature, were consistent with an immune response to the test article and were considered non-adverse.

[0303] Example 5 A Phase 1 / 1b (Ph1 / 1b) Study to Evaluate the Safety and Immunogenicity of an RSV Vaccine in Healthy Adults This example describes a Phase 1 / 1b study, a randomized, placebo-controlled, observer-blinded study to evaluate the safety and immunogenicity of a single intramuscular (IM) dose of RSV vaccine as an aqueous formulation or an aluminum hydroxide-adjuvant-containing formulation. The study design is shown in Figure 4. A total of six formulations were tested (three dose levels of the aqueous formulation and three dose levels of the aluminum hydroxide-adjuvant-containing formulation). A placebo was administered as a control. The study was conducted in two parts: Part 1: Phase 1 first-in-human (FIH) evaluation in healthy young adults aged 18-45 years (N=90). Part 2: Phase 1b evaluation in healthy older adults aged 60-75 years (N=217).

[0304] The allocation of subjects to the seven study arms (six formulations and placebo) in each part is given in Table 6. [Table 6]

[0305] The duration of subject participation in the study is approximately 6 months. The three dose levels tested in the study, 25 μg, 75 μg and 250 μg of the VLP protein complex, are equivalent in mass to 14 μg, 42 μg and 140 μg of soluble RSV F antigen, respectively, based on the mass of the complete VLP, which contains both the displayed antigen and its core, minus the mass of the VLP core.

[0306] the goal Primary goal: To select the optimal formulation of RSV vaccine, in terms of VLP amount and aluminum hydroxide requirement as adjuvant, for further clinical development by evaluating in healthy young adult (18-45 years) and healthy elderly (60-75 years) populations: Serious adverse events (SAEs), medically attended adverse events (MAAEs), and adverse events (AEs) leading to study discontinuation; · Day 28 antibody response rate (SRR) (percentage of subjects with a 4-fold or greater rise in titer compared to baseline (Day 0)) and geometric mean fold rise (GMFR) for RSV-A specific neutralizing antibodies (NT Ab).

[0307] Secondary goal: To assess the safety of RSV vaccines by the incidence of: · Non-spontaneous local reactions and systemic AEs up to day 7; Unsolicited AEs up to day 28; Moderate to severe LRTIs (specifically targeted adverse events, AESIs); · Clinical safety laboratory parameters.

[0308] To evaluate the immunogenicity of the RSV vaccine through day 180 by assessing: ·RSV-A-specific and RSV-B-specific NT-Ab titers; ·RSV prefusion F-protein specific IgG titer; Ratio of the fold increase in RSV prefusion F-protein specific IgG titers to the fold increase in RSV-A specific NT-Ab titers.

[0309] Exploration goal: To further explore the immunogenicity of the RSV vaccine by evaluating: · epitope specificity of IgG against RSV prefusion F-protein; · Core-VLP-specific IgG titer; ·RSV prefusion F-protein-specific memory B cell frequency by enzyme-linked immunosorbent spot (ELISpot); ·RSV prefusion F-protein specific T cell frequency by ELISpot; · Human metapneumovirus (hMPV) NT-Ab titers on days 0 and 28.

[0310] Investigational Drug Products RSV vaccine The investigational vaccine was formulated at one concentration, 250 μg / 0.5 mL, either as an aqueous vaccine or adsorbed to 500 μg aluminum hydroxide as an adjuvant. The lower dose vaccine (25 and 75 μg) for each formulation was the highest dose dilution and was prepared immediately prior to administration using either the aqueous or aluminum hydroxide adjuvant diluent. The aluminum hydroxide content was the same for all adjuvant formulations. All RSV vaccine formulations were administered as 0.5 mL doses.

[0311] placebo Sterile aqueous diluent delivered as a 0.5 mL dose. Placebo contains no preservatives.

[0312] Criteria for evaluation and analysis: Co-primary endpoints (safety): SAEs, MAAEs, and AEs leading to study discontinuation from day 0 to the end of the study.

[0313] Co-primary endpoints (immunogenicity): RSV-A specific NT Ab at day 28: Based on SRR (percentage of subjects with a 4-fold or greater increase in titer compared to baseline (day 0)) and GMFR compared to baseline (day 0). Secondary endpoints (safety): · Non-spontaneous local reactions and systemic AEs from days 0 to 7; · Spontaneous AEs from day 0 to day 28; Moderate-to-severe LRTI from day 0 to the end of the study; Clinical safety laboratory parameters at screening, post-dose, days 0, 7 and 28. Secondary Endpoints (Immunogenicity): RSV-A specific NT Ab and RSV-B specific NT Ab: GMFR in titer compared to baseline (Day 0; GMFR) on days 7 and 180; SRR to either RSV strain on days 7 and 180; percentage of subjects with 4-fold or greater increase in titer compared to baseline to either RSV strain on days 7, 28, and 180; percentage of subjects with 8-fold or greater increase in titer compared to baseline to either RSV strain on days 7, 28, and 180; SRR to both RSV strains on days 7, 28, and 180; based on geometric mean titers (GMT) to both RSV strains on days 0, 7, 28, and 180. RSV pre-fusion F-protein specific IgG: based on GMFR on days 7, 28 and 180. Ratio of the fold increase compared to baseline in RSV pre-fusion F-protein specific IgG titers to the fold increase compared to baseline in RSV-A specific NT-Ab titers: based on geometric mean ratios (GMR) on days 0, 7, 28, and 180. Exploratory Endpoints (Immunogenicity): · RSV pre-fusion F-protein specific IgG titers, epitope mapped by competitive binding in the presence of monoclonal antibodies, on days 0, 28 and 180; · Core-VLP-specific IgG titers on days 0, 28 and 180; · RSV prefusion F-protein specific memory B cell ELISpot frequency on days 0 and 7; · RSV prefusion F-protein specific T cell ELISpot frequency on days 0 and 7; hMPV NT-Ab titers on days 0 and 28.

[0314] Example 6 Phase 1b expansion and revaccination study This example describes a study to evaluate the immunogenicity up to 12 months from the single dose given in the study of Example 5, as well as the effect of revaccination with an RSV vaccine.

[0315] The RSV vaccine is administered at a dose of 75 μg non-adjuvanted IVX-121 to up to 120 elderly subjects (e.g., adults over 60 years of age). These subjects may be a subset of the elderly study population described in Example 5 below. Subjects are revaccinated 12 months after the initial dose, and efficacy and safety are evaluated 6 months after the revaccination dose. Safety and efficacy endpoints are those described in Example 5.

[0316] Example 7 Interim results of Phase 1 / 1b study This example provides Example 5: Interim results from a Phase 1 / 1b clinical trial of IVX-121, a VLP displaying prefusion stabilized respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) F antigen, in young adults and older adults. IVX-121 demonstrated robust immunological responses in both young adult and older adult populations.

[0317] IVX-121 Phase 1 / 1b Study Design The Phase 1 / 1b clinical trial of IVX-121 is a randomized, observer-blinded, placebo-controlled, multicenter study designed to evaluate the safety and immunogenicity of three dose levels of IVX-121 with and without aluminum hydroxide adjuvant in healthy young adults and older adults. The study design is shown in Figure 4.

[0318] The phase 1 part of the study enrolled 90 healthy young adults, ages 18 to 45. The phase 1b part of the study enrolled 130 healthy older adults, ages 60 to 75. Subjects received a single dose of IVX-121 at one of three dose levels (25, 75, or 250 μg), with or without aluminum hydroxide adjuvant, or a placebo.

[0319] The primary outcomes of the study were safety and immunogenicity up to 28 days post-vaccination; neutralizing antibodies against RSV-A and RSV-B were measured in international units (IU / mL) using the WHO international reference standard.

[0320] Best results safety In this Phase 1 / 1b study, IVX-121 was generally well tolerated across all dosage groups. Unsolicited local and systemic adverse events (AEs) were generally mild or moderate without dose-limiting reactogenicity. In the geriatric target population, the percentage of subjects experiencing any systemic AE within 7 days across the six dosage groups for IVX-121 with or without adjuvant ranged from 11 to 33%, similar to 21% for placebo. The most common local and systemic AEs were injection site tenderness, headache, and fatigue. There were no serious AEs related to the vaccine, no AEs specifically targeted, and no AEs leading to discontinuation. Data are presented in Figure 5 and Figure 6.

[0321] Immunogenicity: IVX-121 induced robust immune responses in both young adult and elderly groups. Data showed dose-independent responses, including at the lowest unadjuvanted dose (25 μg) (Figure 7). No additional benefit from the aluminum hydroxide adjuvant was observed at any dosage level in any part of the study (Figure 8). Geometric mean titers for RSV-A and RSV-B were within comparable ranges for both groups (Figure 9).

[0322] Young adults (Phase 1): In young adults, across dosage groups, IVX-121 induced geometric mean titers (GMTs) in RSV-A neutralizing antibodies (nAbs) of up to 7,687 IU / mL compared to 1,100 IU / mL for placebo at day 28. These titers corresponded to a geometric mean fold increase (GMFR) over baseline of up to 10-fold for IVX-121 at day 28.

[0323] Elderly (Phase 1b): The GMT responses in IU / mL for the elderly were comparable to those for young adults in the Phase 1 portion of this study. Across dosage groups, IVX-121 induced a GMT of up to 7,561 IU / mL in RSV-A nAb compared with 1,692 IU / mL for placebo at day 28. The GMFR at day 28 was up to 6-fold higher, reflecting higher baseline titers in the elderly group.

[0324] conclusion These data indicate that IVX-121 was generally well tolerated and elicited strong and consistent responses to RSV in healthy young adults and older adults. These data are particularly encouraging for the vulnerable elderly population with comorbidities and increased risk of severe disease and hospitalization. IVX-121 is immunogenic at very low microgram dosage levels and well tolerated at the highest dose levels. Eligible older adults from the Phase 1b cohort will be followed for up to 12 months to assess durability of response.

[0325] Neutralizing antibody assay method Validated RSV / A and RSV / B neutralizing antibody (NAb) assays were used to measure the presence of RSV-specific neutralizing antibodies. These assays were validated for standard bioanalytical assay parameters including specificity, accuracy, precision, repeatability (within-assay precision), intermediate precision, linearity, dilution linearity, range, stability and robustness. Key reagents for these assays were purchased commercially and qualified for use. Briefly, human serum samples are serially diluted and incubated with a fixed concentration of virus (RSV A2 (ATCC, Catalog No. VR-1540) and RSV B 18537 (ATCC, Manassas, VA; Catalog No. VR-1580)). Neutralization is measured by inhibition of virus growth in HEp-2 cells (ATCC, Catalog No. CCL23). After the incubation period, the cells are fixed and immunostained with a mouse monoclonal antibody against the RSV F protein, followed by horseradish peroxidase (HRP)-conjugated goat anti-mouse antibody and TrueBlue (TB). The plates are scanned with a UV analyzer to quantify the spot counts (SC; i.e., spot-forming cells, SCF) per well at each serum / antibody concentration. The values ​​are then analyzed to determine the serum / antibody dilution that results in the selected reduction point (i.e., 50% or IC50).

[0326] Since different assay formats are available for RSV neutralization assays, it is important to have a reference antiserum to standardize the results. The first international standard for antisera against RSV / A and RSV / B (NIBSC code: 16 / 284) was established by the WHO Expert Committee on Biological Standardization in 2017 (McDonald et al., 2017; McDonald et al., 2018; McDonald et al., 2020). This reference standard was shown to be suitable for standardization of virus neutralization methods for measuring antibody levels against RSV / A and RSV / B in human serum. Due to the limited amount of reference standards available, bioanalytical laboratories are encouraged to generate in-house references (IHR) by calibrating IHRs against the international reference standard. RSV reference standards (16 / 284) assigned potencies of 1000 international units (IU) of anti-RSV / A or anti-RSV / B neutralizing antibodies per ampoule were used to establish and validate the IHRs included during the neutralization titer analysis. The potencies of the IHR standards were determined to be 1,831 IU / mL for RSV / A and 609 IU / mL for RSV / B. These potencies were used to calculate conversion factors that could be used to convert MN titer results (AU / mL) to IU / mL. Test sample potencies in IU / mL were calculated by multiplying the test sample MN titer by 1.0578 for RSV / A and 0.6936 for RSV / B. The RSV / A and RSV / B NAb assays have been validated to assay ranges of 9.4-180263 AU / mL and 8-195392 AU / mL, respectively. The validated assay ranges in IU / mL for RSV / A and RSV / B are 9.9-190682 and 5.5-135524, respectively.

[0327] McDonald et al. 2017. Report on the WHO collaborative study to establish the 1st international standard for antiserum to respiratory syncytial virus (No. WHO / BS / 2017.2318). World Health Organization. https: / / apps.who.int / iris / handle / 10665 / 260488

[0328] McDonald et al. 2018. Establishment of the first WHO International Standard for antiserum to Respiratory Syncytial Virus: Report of an international collaborative study. Vaccine, 36, 7641-7649.

[0329] McDonald et al. 2020. Expansion of the 1st WHO international standard for antiserum to respiratory syncytial virus to include neutralisation titres against RSV subtype B: An international collaborative study. Vaccine, 38, 800-807.

[0330] WHO 2020. WHO International Standard 1st International Standard for Antiserum to Respiratory Syncytial Virus NIBSC code: 16 / 284 Instructions for use (Version 4.0, Dated 01 / 04 / 2020). https: / / www.nibsc.org / documents / ifu / 16-284.pdf

[0331] Example 8 Predictive Phase 2 or 3 studies This example prophetically describes the phase 2 or 3 study of IVX-121. IVX-121 is formulated as an adjuvant-free vaccine. The vaccine is administered at a single dose of at most about 25 μg, for example, 1 μg, 2.5 μg, 5 μg, 7.5 μg, 10 μg, 12.5 μg, 15 μg, 17.5 μg, 20 μg, 22.5 μg or 25 μg of IVX-121 protein complex. Subjects can be selected as 18+ years old adults or 60+ years old adults, or as individuals at high risk of severe disease (e.g., suffering from underlying chronic conditions including diabetes, cardiovascular disease and respiratory disease; frail elderly; or immunocompromised). Clinical endpoints include RSV-associated LRTD (lower respiratory tract disease), moderate / severe RSV-associated LRTD and / or RSV-associated acute respiratory disease. Subjects are monitored for one, two or three RSV seasons. The vaccine may be administered again after three to five years.

[0332] Additionally, human challenge studies can be conducted in adults aged 18-50 years who are challenged with RSV / A virus 4 weeks after receiving a single dose of the vaccine. Clinical endpoints can include polymerase chain reaction (PCR) confirmed RSV infection and self-reported symptoms.

[0333] In each study, efficacy is observed at doses of 75 μg or less of IVX-121 protein conjugate and / or 25 μg or less of IVX-121 protein conjugate. Incorporation by Reference

[0334] All references, articles, publications, patents, patent publications, and patent applications cited herein are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety for all purposes. However, the mention of any references, articles, publications, patents, patent publications, and patent applications cited herein should not be construed as an admission or any form of suggestion that they constitute established prior art or form part of the common general knowledge in any country in the world.

Claims

1. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a protein complex comprising an RSV F protein and a first component comprising a first multimerization domain, and one or more pharmaceutically acceptable diluents or excipients.

2. 10. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 1, wherein the protein complex comprises two, three, four, five or more copies of the first component.

3. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 1 , wherein the protein complex comprises a second component comprising a second multimerization domain.

4. 4. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 3, wherein the protein complex comprises 2, 3, 4, 5 or more copies of the second component.

5. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 1 , wherein the protein complex comprises a third component comprising a third multimerization domain.

6. 6. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 5, wherein the protein complex comprises two, three, four, five or more copies of the third component.

7. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 1 , wherein the protein complex is a nanostructure, a nanoparticle, or a protein-based virus-like particle.

8. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 1 , wherein the components of the protein complex are arranged according to a set of symmetry operators that form a dihedral symmetry group.

9. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 1 , wherein the components of the protein complex are arranged according to a set of symmetry operators that form a cyclic symmetry group.

10. 2. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 1, wherein the protein complex is an icosahedral protein complex, the protein complex is a tetrahedral protein complex, or the protein complex is an octahedral protein complex.

11. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 1 , wherein the first multimerization domain is a trimerization domain.

12. The pharmaceutical composition described in claim 3, wherein the second multimerization domain is a pentamerization domain.

13. 4. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 3, wherein the protein complex comprises 20 copies of the first component and 12 copies of the second component.

14. 2. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 1, wherein the RSV F protein comprises an amino acid sequence that is at least 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% identical to the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 14, 34 and 35.

15. 2. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 1, wherein the first multimerization domain comprises an amino acid sequence that is at least 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% identical to the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 24 and 30-31.

16. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 3, wherein the second multimerization domain comprises an amino acid sequence that is at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99% or at least 100% identical to an amino acid sequence selected from any one of SEQ ID NOs: 22-23, 25-29 and 32.

17. 4. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 3, wherein the first component comprises an amino acid sequence at least 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% identical to SEQ ID NO: 6; and the second component comprises an amino acid sequence at least 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% identical to SEQ ID NO:

26.

18. 10. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 1, comprising an oil-in-water adjuvant or an aluminum hydroxide adjuvant. (i) A method of vaccinating a subject, the method comprising administering to the subject a first dose comprising an effective amount of the pharmaceutical composition. (ii) a method of generating an immune response in a subject, the method comprising administering to the subject a first dose comprising an effective amount of the pharmaceutical composition; (iii) a method of treating and / or preventing severe lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) associated with or caused by RSV in a subject, the method comprising administering to the subject a first dose comprising an effective amount of the pharmaceutical composition; (iv) a method of preventing RSV disease in a subject, comprising administering to the subject a first dose comprising an effective amount of the pharmaceutical composition; (v) a method for generating an immune response in a fetus, comprising administering an effective amount of said pharmaceutical composition to the mother of said fetus; or (vi) A method of generating an immune response in an infant and / or preventing respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) disease in an infant through maternal immunization of a pregnant subject, the method comprising administering to the subject a first dose comprising an effective amount of the pharmaceutical composition.

20. A pharmaceutical composition according to any one of claims 1 to 18 for use in 20. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 19, wherein the method concurrently generates an immune response to a human metapneumovirus (hMPV) F protein via cross-reactivity with the RSV F protein.

21. 20. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 19, wherein the effective amount is between about 0.5 μg and about 500 μg of the protein complex.

22. (i) The method results in the production of RSV-A-specific neutralizing antibodies, RSV-B-specific neutralizing antibodies, RSV F-protein-specific IgG antibodies, core-VLP-specific IgG antibodies, RSV F-protein-specific memory B cells, RSV F-protein-specific T cells, and / or neutralizing antibodies against human metapneumovirus in the subject. (ii) the method prevents severe LRTI associated with or caused by RSV more effectively than a method involving the administration of a trimeric antigen having an amino acid sequence at least 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% identical to the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 7, 14, 34 and 35; (iii) the adjuvant, when present, increases the durability of the neutralizing antibody response, the cross-protection of the neutralizing antibody response, and / or the magnitude of the B cell or T cell activation in the subject; or (iv) the method causes fewer adverse events than a method involving the administration of a trimeric antigen having an amino acid sequence at least 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% identical to the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 7, 14, 34 and 35.

20. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 19.

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