Chimeric Neurotoxin Junction Design for Stability and Potency

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a need for optimized chimeric neurotoxins with improved therapeutic properties, such as increased potency, safety, and duration of action, which are not adequately addressed by existing clostridial neurotoxins.

Innovation Solution

The design of chimeric neurotoxins involves covalently linking the LH N domain from a first neurotoxin to the H C domain from a second neurotoxin, ensuring that the C-terminal residue of the LH N domain corresponds to the first amino acid of the 3 10 helix separating the LH N and H C domains in the first neurotoxin, and the N-terminal residue of the H C domain corresponds to the second amino acid of the 3 10 helix in the second neurotoxin, thereby maintaining the secondary structure and minimizing tertiary structure changes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Duration of action of moving object

If chimeric neurotoxins are designed by combining domains from different neurotoxins, then therapeutic properties such as potency and duration of action are enhanced, but structural stability and solubility may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveduration of actionVSAvoidstructural stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of moving objectVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by precisely controlling the amino acid sequence at the junction between LH N and H C domains. Specifically, it maintains the 3 10 helix secondary structure and controls the hydrophobicity and charge distribution at the interface, which optimizes both the duration of action and structural stability of the chimeric neurotoxin

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates composite structures by combining the LH N domain from one neurotoxin with the H C domain from another neurotoxin. This composite approach allows the chimeric neurotoxin to inherit beneficial properties from parent neurotoxins while maintaining structural integrity through careful design of the junction region

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If the junction between LH N and H C domains is modified to create chimeric neurotoxins, then therapeutic properties are improved, but manufacturing precision and structural integrity become more difficult to control

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetherapeutic reliabilityVSAvoidstructural precision
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by focusing optimization on the specific junction region between LH N and H C domains. It maintains the 3 10 helix secondary structure and carefully selects amino acid residues at the interface to ensure proper folding and stability, while allowing greater flexibility in other regions of the protein

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs preliminary action by pre-designing the junction sequence with specific structural characteristics (3 10 helix, controlled hydrophobicity, appropriate charge distribution) before full-scale production. This preliminary structural optimization ensures that the chimeric neurotoxin maintains structural integrity during manufacturing and purification processes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4706669A2Chimeric neurotoxins
Publication Date: 2026.03.11 IPSEN BIOPHARM LTD
  • EP4706669A2 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4706669A2 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4706669A2 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

The present invention relates to chimeric neurotoxins with enhanced properties and their use in therapy.