HR1-Derived Polypeptides Targeting SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current therapeutic and prophylactic tools for SARS-COV-2 are limited in effectiveness, with existing antiviral drugs showing low success and a need for further tools to address the severity of SARS-COV-2 infection and its physiological consequences.

Innovation Solution

Development of HR1-derived polypeptides and associated immunogenic compositions, including antibodies and nucleic acids, that target the SARS-COV-2 spike protein's heptad repeat 1 region to prevent NKp44L membrane expression, thereby mitigating the virus's deleterious effects.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If existing antiviral drugs are used to treat SARS-COV-2 infection, then treatment is provided, but effectiveness is low and success rate is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveeffectiveness of antiviral treatmentVSAvoidsuccess rate of antiviral drugs
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the SARS-COV-2 spike protein into specific functional domains (RBD, S1, S2, HR1, HR2) and develops antibodies targeting each segment separately. This segmentation allows for more precise and effective neutralization of the virus compared to broad-spectrum antivirals, directly addressing the low effectiveness of existing treatments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces convalescent plasma and humanized antibodies as intermediary substances that mediate the immune response against SARS-COV-2. These intermediaries carry pre-formed neutralizing antibodies that directly bind to viral epitopes, providing effective treatment where conventional antivirals have failed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If therapeutic tools are developed to address severe infections, then disease severity is reduced, but the variety of effective tools remains limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseverity of SARS-COV-2 infectionVSAvoidvariety of therapeutic tools
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent develops a universal platform of antibodies (regavimab, sotorimab, bamlanimab) that can target multiple critical regions of the spike protein. These antibodies provide multi-functional protection by preventing viral entry, blocking fusion, and neutralizing the virus through multiple mechanisms, thereby expanding the variety of effective therapeutic tools available for severe infections.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs composite therapeutic approaches by combining convalescent plasma with purified humanized antibodies, and by creating antibody cocktails that target multiple epitopes simultaneously. This composite strategy enhances therapeutic effectiveness against severe infections while diversifying the treatment options available.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Reliability

If the immune response is activated to fight the virus, then viral infection is combatting, but cytokine storm and pro-inflammatory cytokines cause severe pathology

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimmune response activationVSAvoidcytokine storm and pro-inflammatory cytokines
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary anti-action by administering neutralizing antibodies before the harmful cytokine storm fully develops. These antibodies pre-emptively block viral entry and replication, preventing the overactivation of the immune system that leads to cytokine release syndrome and severe inflammatory pathology.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the harmful overactive immune response into a beneficial controlled response by using neutralizing antibodies to guide the immune system. Instead of allowing uncontrolled cytokine release, the antibodies provide targeted neutralization that harnesses the immune system's power while preventing its harmful excesses, effectively converting the cytokine storm threat into a controlled therapeutic response.

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

Data Source

PatentUS20250012799A1SARS-COV-2 polypeptides and uses thereof
Publication Date: 2025.01.09 IAMA FRANCE

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to a HR1-derived polypeptide comprising 10 or more consecutive amino acids of the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO. 8 as disclosed in the description, or a polypeptide derivative thereof. This disclosure also concerns an immunogenic composition comprising a HR1-derived polypeptide as described herein. It also relates to an immunogenic composition comprising a nucleic acid encoding a HR1-derived polypeptide as described herein. In some preferred embodiments, the said nucleic acid consists of a ribonucleic acid.