IGF-1 Polypeptide Mutations for Yield and Hypoglycemia Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing IGF-1 precursor variants fused to a human immunoglobulin Fc region face challenges such as low production yield in mammalian systems and increased binding affinity to the insulin receptor, leading to hypoglycemia as a therapeutic concern.

Innovation Solution

Modifying the human IGF-1 protein by deleting or substituting the amino acid glycine at position 42, combined with additional mutations at specific amino acids, to improve production yield and receptor specificity, and incorporating a peptide hinge region between the IGF-1 precursor and Fc region to modulate binding to Fc receptors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Duration of action of stationary object

If IGF-1 precursor variants are fused to a human immunoglobulin Fc region to increase half-life, then serum half-life is improved, but production yield in mammalian systems decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveserum half-lifeVSAvoidproduction yield
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of stationary objectVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by modifying specific amino acid residues in the IGF-1 precursor sequence (positions 1-3 and 71-77) to optimize both production yield and serum half-life. These sequence modifications enable the fusion protein to be produced efficiently in mammalian systems while maintaining extended circulation half-life through Fc region fusion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite fusion protein combining the IGF-1 precursor sequence with a human immunoglobulin Fc region. This composite structure leverages the biological activity of IGF-1 while utilizing the Fc region's long half-life properties, achieving both improved pharmacokinetics and manufacturability through optimized sequence design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Duration of action of stationary object

If IGF-1 precursor variants are fused to a human immunoglobulin Fc region to increase half-life, then serum half-life is improved, but binding affinity to insulin receptor increases leading to hypoglycemia

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveserum half-lifeVSAvoidhypoglycemia risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of stationary objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies specific parameters of the IGF-1 precursor sequence (amino acid positions 1-3 and 71-77) to fine-tune insulin receptor binding affinity. These targeted sequence changes reduce excessive binding that would cause hypoglycemia while preserving the desired extended half-life through Fc fusion, achieving a balanced pharmacological profile.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality changes by making site-specific amino acid modifications at particular positions (1-3 and 71-77) within the precursor sequence. These localized changes selectively modulate insulin receptor interaction without affecting other functional properties, enabling precise control over binding affinity and hypoglycemia risk.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Productivity

If additional mutations are introduced to improve production yield and reduce degradation, then manufacturing efficiency is improved, but protein structure complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction yieldVSAvoidprotein structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent systematically modifies specific amino acid parameters at defined positions (1-3 and 71-77) to enhance production yield and reduce degradation. These targeted parameter changes improve manufacturing efficiency while maintaining relatively simple sequence modifications that do not substantially increase structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP2935320B1Stabilized insulin-like growth factor polypeptides
Publication Date: 2019.08.21 NOVARTIS AG
  • EP2935320B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2935320B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2C
  • EP2935320B1 patent drawingFigure 2D

AI summary

This invention is in the field of IGF-1 modifications. In particular, it relates to modified IGF- polypeptides and modified IGF-1 precursor polypeptides wherein the cleavage of E-peptide is prevented. The invention also relates to the use of such polypeptides for treating muscle diseases and disorders.