Multi-Epitope Vaccine Construct for Broad Coronavirus Variant Immunity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing COVID-19 vaccines primarily focus on the spike protein, which can mutate, leading to immune evasion, necessitating the development of a vaccine that induces broad and durable immunity against multiple coronavirus variants.

Innovation Solution

A multi-epitope construct comprising nucleic acid sequences encoding peptides derived from structural and non-structural coronavirus proteins, including a SARS-COV-2 spike glycoprotein, to induce a strong immune response.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a spike protein-based vaccine is used, then neutralizing antibody response is induced, but the virus can mutate and evade immune recognition

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotective immunityVSAvoidviral variant coverage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The vaccine construct is segmented into multiple independent epitope components from different coronavirus proteins (spike, envelope, membrane, nucleocapsid, and non-structural proteins). Each epitope is separately encoded by distinct nucleic acid sequences and can be independently recognized by the immune system, ensuring that mutation in one protein does not compromise overall immune protection

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The multi-epitope construct serves multiple functions simultaneously: it induces neutralizing antibodies against the spike protein while also generating T-cell responses against conserved regions of envelope, membrane, nucleocapsid, and non-structural proteins. This multi-functional approach ensures broad coverage across different viral variants and proteins

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a multi-epitope construct is used, then broad immune response is induced, but the construct complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevariant coverageVSAvoidconstruct design

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple epitope-encoding nucleic acid sequences are merged into a single integrated multi-epitope construct. The construct combines sequences for spike, envelope, membrane, nucleocapsid, and non-structural protein epitopes in one unified structure, enabling simultaneous expression of all epitopes from a single vaccine administration

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The multi-epitope construct employs a nested structure where multiple epitope sequences are hierarchically organized within a single nucleic acid construct. Each epitope sequence is nested within the overall construct framework, allowing compact organization of multiple functional elements in a structured manner

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentUS20250352640A1Multi-epitope construct

Publication Date: 2025.11.20 ETHERNA IMMUNOTHERAPIES NV

AI summary

The invention is situated in the field of vaccination therapy. More specifically, the invention relates to a multi-epitope construct comprising nucleic acid sequences encoding peptides or functional variants and fragments thereof derived from a coronavirus. The invention further relates to a combination, polypeptides, or pharmaceutical composition for use in the treatment or prevention a coronavirus in a subject; in particular the SARS-COV-2 virus.