M1 Polypeptide Vaccine Broad Strain Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current influenza vaccines require yearly reformulation due to high variability in surface-expressed viral proteins, leading to increased production costs and limited protection against new strains, and they do not effectively address antigenic drift, necessitating a solution for long-lasting, broadly protective vaccination.

Innovation Solution

Development of an influenza vaccine comprising specific M1 polypeptides, specifically targeting the C-terminal region of the M1 protein, which can induce a humoral and memory immune response, potentially providing protection against various strains and reducing the severity and duration of influenza symptoms.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If current influenza vaccines targeting surface glycoproteins (HA and NA) are used, then immune response is elicited, but yearly reformulation is required due to antigenic drift

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection durationVSAvoidstrain coverage
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the target from surface glycoproteins (HA and NA) to the internal M1 matrix protein. By focusing on the conserved M1 protein sequence (particularly amino acids 215-252) that is exposed on the viral surface, the vaccine achieves broad protection across multiple influenza strains without requiring yearly reformulation, thus resolving the contradiction between protection duration and strain coverage

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The M1 polypeptide vaccine serves as a universal vaccine that can protect against multiple influenza A and B strains simultaneously. The conserved nature of the M1 protein allows a single vaccine formulation to provide broad-spectrum immunity, making the vaccine adaptable to different strains while maintaining long-lasting protection

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

2Reliability

If surface glycoprotein-based vaccines are reformulated yearly, then protection against current strains is maintained, but production costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection effectivenessVSAvoidproduction cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables advance preparation of a universal influenza vaccine based on the highly conserved M1 protein that provides protection against multiple current and future strains. This preliminary vaccine development eliminates the need for yearly reformulation and production cycles, significantly reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining protection effectiveness through a single or limited-number vaccination

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If M1 polypeptide vaccine is administered, then neutralizing antibodies and B-cell memory response are induced, but new vaccine technology must be developed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimmune response strengthVSAvoidvaccine development complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes the existing, well-characterized M1 protein sequence from influenza viruses as the vaccine antigen. By copying this highly conserved natural sequence (particularly residues 215-252) and presenting it through established vaccine delivery systems, the invention achieves strong neutralizing antibody and B-cell memory responses without requiring complex new vaccine technologies or platforms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The M1 polypeptide vaccine induces neutralizing antibodies and generates a B-cell memory response, offering protection against multiple influenza strains and potentially reducing the severity and duration of flu symptoms, with the potential for long-lasting immunity.

Implementation Method 1

The M1 polypeptide vaccine induces neutralizing antibodies and generates a B-cell memory response

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHumoral immune response:

Data Source

PatentEP3049112B1Influenza vaccine and therapy
Publication Date: 2020.09.09 ENGEN BIO LLC
  • EP3049112B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3049112B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3049112B1 patent drawing

AI summary

The present invention is directed generally to Ml polypeptides that can be utilized as vaccines and/or antigens for generation of anti-Ml polypeptide antibodies for prophylactic treatment of individuals who are susceptible to infection by influenza virus. The anti-Ml polypeptide antibodies of the invention are useful for treatment of individuals infected with influenza virus, or useful for prophylactic treatment of individuals who are susceptible to infection by influenza virus, or for immune-suppressed individuals who cannot generate an effective antibody response.