Multimeric Protein Complexes as Synthetic Antibody Substitutes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current monoclonal antibody-based prophylactics and therapeutics for SARS-CoV-2 and its mutational descendants are costly, unstable, and not easily adaptable for large-scale production, posing challenges for urgent care providers and military personnel, and risk triggering unwanted viral responses such as antibody-dependent enhancement or autoimmune reactions.
Innovation Solution
Development of a multimeric protein complex as a synthetic antibody substitute, composed of a modified symmetric multimeric protein complex with a pathogen binding domain, expressed in prokaryotic cells, which can be mass-produced at low cost and adapted to emerging viral threats, utilizing a modular structure of monomeric proteins, beta solenoid domains, and pathogen binding domains to match the symmetry and geometry of viral envelope proteins.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If monoclonal antibodies are used for viral neutralization, then neutralization effectiveness is achieved, but production cost increases and scalability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates simplified copies of antibody functionality using synthetic multimeric proteins that replicate the essential binding and neutralization functions without requiring complex mammalian cell culture systems. The synthetic proteins copy the antigen-binding capability while eliminating the expensive production infrastructure needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs synthetic proteins that can be produced more cheaply and discarded if needed, rather than investing in expensive monoclonal antibody production chains. The simplified protein structures allow for lower-cost production methods while maintaining functional effectiveness.
2Reliability
If monoclonal antibodies are used for prophylaxis, then viral neutralization is achieved, but environmental stability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies protein parameters by using synthetic amino acid sequences and multimeric structures that enhance environmental stability. The designed proteins have optimized structural parameters including disulfide bonds and compact folding that resist denaturation under various environmental conditions while maintaining antigen binding capability.
3Reliability
If monoclonal antibodies are used for treatment, then viral infection is neutralized, but adaptability to viral mutations decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the antibody function into separate modular components: a stable synthetic protein scaffold and interchangeable antigen-binding domains. This segmentation allows the binding domains to be rapidly swapped or modified to match different viral variants while the stable scaffold provides consistent structural support and production advantages.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a dynamic system where the antigen-binding components can be quickly updated in response to viral mutations, while the core protein structure remains stable. This dynamic adaptability allows the treatment approach to evolve with emerging variants without requiring complete redesign of the production system.
4Reliability
If monoclonal antibodies are administered intravenously, then therapeutic effect is achieved, but production complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential functional elements needed for viral neutralization, removing the complex glycosylation patterns, heavy chain-light chain associations, and other complicated features of natural antibodies. This extraction results in simplified proteins that are easier to produce while retaining therapeutic effectiveness.
Data Source
AI summary
The present patent consists of an engineered multimeric protein complex as antibody substitute composed of human proteins, with an m-fold symmetry, with each m-fold element containing a modified monomeric protein derived from a symmetric human multimeric protein complex fused to a module containing n fused, modified human beta solenoid proteins (mBSP), and that fused to a human derived pathogen binding domain (PBD), as well as a separate antibody substitute composed of P human PBD complexes. The invention may find application in prophylactic and therapeutic treatments for viral infections, especially for COVID19 by neutralizing the SARS-CoV-2 virus.