Recombinant EHDV Vaccine Subunits for DIVA and Cross-Serotype Protection

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current autogenous inactivated vaccines for Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease (EHD) in ruminants are time-consuming to produce, cannot differentiate between vaccination and infection, offer limited protection to non-homologous serotypes, and cause side effects due to the use of whole inactivated virus and adjuvants.

Innovation Solution

A recombinant protein-based vaccine using immunogenic subunits such as VP2 and VP5, which are major structural proteins involved in virus attachment and neutralization, eliminating the need for live virus propagation and inactivation, and providing DIVA (differentiating infected from vaccinated animals) compatibility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If autogenous inactivated vaccines are used for EHDV protection, then vaccination coverage is achieved, but the production process takes approximately 12 weeks and cannot differentiate between vaccination and infection

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevaccination protectionVSAvoidproduction time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The vaccine is segmented into specific protein subunits (VP2, VP5, and other viral proteins) rather than using whole inactivated virus. This segmentation allows for faster production through recombinant expression systems while maintaining immunogenicity, resolving the contradiction between reliable protection and production time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Recombinant protein technology serves as an intermediary method between traditional whole-virus vaccination and direct infection protection. The recombinant proteins act as safe intermediaries that elicit protective immunity without requiring live virus manipulation, enabling faster production while maintaining DIVA capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If whole inactivated virus and adjuvants are used in the vaccine, then immunogenicity is achieved, but side effects occur

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveimmunogenicityVSAvoidvaccine side effects

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The harmful components (whole virus and adjuvants) are extracted from the vaccine formulation, retaining only the essential immunogenic protein subunits. This extraction eliminates side effects while preserving the ability to elicit protective neutralizing antibodies through recombinant protein expression.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The vaccine uses transient, non-infectious recombinant protein expressions instead of persistent whole virus preparations. These recombinant proteins are produced temporarily and are inherently safe, eliminating the harmful effects associated with live or inactivated whole virus while maintaining immunogenicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Reliability

If autogenous inactivated vaccines are used, then protection against homologous serotype is achieved, but protection against non-homologous serotypes is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection against homologous serotypeVSAvoidprotection against multiple serotypes

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The vaccine formulation is designed with universal applicability across multiple EHDV serotypes by including recombinant protein subunits from different serotypes (e.g., VP2 and VP5 from serotypes 2 and 6). This multi-functional approach provides cross-protection while maintaining the ability to differentiate vaccinated from infected animals.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Measurement precision

If DIVA compatibility is implemented, then differentiation between vaccination and infection is achieved, but vaccine formulation becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedifferentiation accuracyVSAvoidvaccine formulation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The vaccine uses specific protein subunit compositions (particularly VP2 and VP5 from different serotypes) that create distinct serological profiles. This allows diagnostic tests to differentiate between vaccination-induced antibodies and infection-induced antibodies through serological detection, achieving DIVA compatibility without overly complex formulations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

Data Source

PatentUS10881722B2Epizootic hemorrhagic disease vaccine

Publication Date: 2021.01.05 THE GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AS REPRESENTED BY THE SECRETARY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES

AI summary

The present disclosure provides for an immunogenic composition against epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus (EHDV). The immunogenic composition has been shown to be efficacious in inducing serum neutralizing antibodies against EHDV and intended to be used to prevent or reduce clinical symptoms associated with EHDV infection in susceptible animals. The disclosure provides for composition and methods that represent an improvement over previous strategies for treating and preventing EHDV.