Seven-Antigen ASF Subunit Vaccine Without Residual Virulence

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current African swine fever (ASF) vaccines, including inactivated, subunit, and live vector vaccines, fail to provide adequate immunogenic efficacy and are associated with biosafety risks, while gene-deleted vaccines pose residual virulence concerns, and existing subunit vaccines may exhibit antibody-dependent enhancement (ADE) effects, compromising protection against virulent strains.

Innovation Solution

A seven-component antigen African swine fever subunit vaccine comprising P34, P30, P54, A104R, X (DP96R or DP96R-P12 fusion), C129R, and Y (P22 or P17, or P22-P17 fusion) proteins, optimized for genotype II ASFV, induces a robust immune response and offers protective efficacy against parental virulent strains with a favorable safety profile.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If inactivated vaccines, subunit vaccines, or live vector vaccines are used, then vaccine development is achieved, but immunogenic efficacy is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimmunogenic efficacyVSAvoidprotective efficacy

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The vaccine divides the ASFV antigens into seven specific protein components (P34, P30, P54, A104R, DP96R, C129R, and P22/P17), each targeting specific epitopes. This segmentation allows for precise immune system engagement while avoiding non-essential viral components that could cause ADE effects or insufficient immunogenicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The vaccine combines seven different viral protein antigens into a composite subunit vaccine formulation. This composite approach integrates multiple immunogenic components that work synergistically to enhance overall immunogenic efficacy while maintaining biosafety, as each component contributes unique protective antigens against different viral strains.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If gene-deleted vaccines are used, then immunogenic efficacy is improved, but residual virulence and biosafety risks remain

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimmunogenic efficacyVSAvoidresidual virulence

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The vaccine extracts only the essential protective antigens (seven specific proteins) from the complete ASFV genome, discarding all other viral components including those responsible for virulence. This extraction approach maintains immunogenic efficacy by preserving critical epitopes while eliminating residual virulence factors present in gene-deleted vaccines.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The vaccine uses recombinant protein expression systems to produce transient, non-viral antigen formulations. These purified protein subunits are produced in vitro and do not require live viral vectors or gene manipulation, thereby eliminating biosafety risks associated with residual virulence while maintaining immunogenicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Ease of manufacture

If existing subunit vaccines are used, then vaccine formulation is achieved, but antibody-dependent enhancement (ADE) effects occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevaccine formulationVSAvoidADE effect

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The vaccine selectively includes only those viral proteins (P34, P30, P54, A104R, DP96R, C129R, P22/P17) that have been experimentally validated to induce protective immunity without triggering ADE effects. Each antigen component is carefully selected based on its specific immunogenic properties and safety profile, ensuring local quality control at the antigen level.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The vaccine approach converts the challenge of identifying safe antigens into a benefit by systematically screening and selecting only those viral proteins that do not induce ADE. The extensive experimental screening process transforms the potential harm of ADE into a benefit by using screening data to identify and include only safe, protective antigens in the final formulation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Data Source

PatentEP4692111A1Seven-component antigen african swine fever subunit vaccine

Publication Date: 2026.02.11 LANZHOU VETERINARY RESEARCH INSTITUTE CHINESE ACADEMY OF AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES(LANZHOU BRANCH CENTER OF CHINA ANIMAL HEALTH & EPIDEMIOLOGY CENTER)

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AI summary

The present disclosure belongs to the field of biotechnology, and specifically relates to a seven-component antigen African swine fever subunit vaccine. The present disclosure first provides an African swine fever virus antigen protein combination composed of the African swine fever virus P34 protein, P30 protein, P54 protein, A104R protein, C129R protein, X protein, and Y protein. This African swine fever virus antigen protein combination can induce a strong immune response in the host. Furthermore, the present disclosure provides a seven-component antigen African swine fever subunit vaccine including the aforementioned African swine fever virus antigen protein combination. The seven-component antigen African swine fever subunit vaccine exhibits good immunoprotection rates against challenge with the parental virulent African swine fever virus strain, poses no biosafety risks, overcomes the difficulty that existing African swine fever subunit vaccines domestically and internationally cannot provide effective immunoprotection for pigs, and demonstrates the feasibility of the research approach for African swine fever subunit vaccines.