Chimeric RSV-hMPV F Protein Vaccine for Safer Immunogenicity

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a need for effective vaccines and treatments against human metapneumovirus (hMPV) infections, particularly in vulnerable populations such as young, immunocompromised, or elderly patients, as current options are limited.

Innovation Solution

Development of a chimeric RSV-hMPV vaccine using the transmembrane domain and cytoplasmic tail of the RSV F protein combined with the hMPV F protein, which enhances virus production and assembly, utilizing a live attenuated vaccine approach with a modified RSV backbone.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a live attenuated hMPV vaccine is developed, then immunogenicity and protective immune response are improved, but safety risks increase due to potential reversion to virulence

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveimmunogenicityVSAvoidsafety risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The F protein is divided into functional domains: the ectodomain from hMPV (maintaining immunogenicity) and the transmembrane/cytoplasmic tail from RSV (providing safety through attenuated virus assembly). This segmentation allows the vaccine to retain protective immune response while reducing virulence potential.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different parts of the F protein are assigned different functions: the hMPV ectodomain provides antigenic specificity for inducing protective immunity, while the RSV transmembrane and cytoplasmic tail domains provide attenuated viral assembly properties that reduce safety risks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Productivity

If the RSV F protein transmembrane domain and cytoplasmic tail are added to hMPV F protein, then virus production and assembly are improved, but protein structure complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevirus productionVSAvoidprotein structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The chimeric F protein merges hMPV ectodomain with RSV transmembrane and cytoplasmic tail domains into a single functional protein unit. This combination leverages the immunogenicity of hMPV F while utilizing RSV F's proven ability to support viral assembly and production in the RSV backbone system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The RSV F protein transmembrane and cytoplasmic tail domains serve multiple functions: they enable proper viral membrane insertion, facilitate virus assembly, and provide thermostability. By incorporating these universal viral elements from RSV, the chimeric virus achieves improved production without requiring de novo optimization of each function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS12544436B2Chimeric RSV and HMPV F proteins, immunogenic compositions, and methods of use

Publication Date: 2026.02.10 CHILDRENS HEALTHCARE OF ATLANTA INC

AI summary

This disclosure describes a chimeric respiratory syncytial virus encoding a chimeric RSV and hMPV F protein and uses of the chimeric virus or components therein in a vaccine. In certain embodiments, this disclosure describes a live attenuated vaccine comprising an RSV backbone substituting the F proteins of RSV, for a chimeric RSV and hMPV F protein.