MVA Vector Encoding NS1 Protein for Zika Immunity

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is currently no effective vaccine available to prevent or treat Zika virus infections, which poses a significant public health threat due to its rapid spread and potential to cause severe complications, including microcephaly and Guillain-Barre syndrome, and existing vaccines may risk antibody-dependent enhancement in dengue endemic areas.

Innovation Solution

A recombinant modified vaccinia Ankara (MVA) vector encoding Flavivirus proteins, specifically structural and nonstructural proteins like PrM-E and NS1, is developed to induce a protective immune response, formulated with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier for intramuscular, intradermal, or intravenous administration, to provide prophylactic and therapeutic benefits.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If existing E protein-targeted vaccines are used, then immune response is generated, but risk of antibody-dependent enhancement occurs in dengue endemic areas

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesafetyVSAvoidantibody-dependent enhancement risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The vaccine targets multiple distinct viral proteins (E, M, and NS1) rather than a single E protein, segmenting the immune response across multiple antigens to avoid the harmful effect of E protein-only vaccination while maintaining protective immunity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The vaccine combines multiple viral proteins (E, M, and NS1) into a single composite formulation, creating a multi-antigen vaccine that provides broader protection and eliminates the antibody-dependent enhancement risk associated with E protein-only vaccines

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If MVA vector encoding multiple Flavivirus proteins is used, then protective immune response is induced, but vaccine complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotective immune responseVSAvoidvaccine composition

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The MVA vector serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a delivery vehicle, expresses multiple viral antigens (E, M, and NS1 proteins), and provides adjuvant effects, thereby reducing the need for separate components and simplifying the overall vaccine formulation despite its multi-antigen capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS11638750B2Methods for generating a Zikv immune response utilizing a recombinant modified vaccina Ankara vector encoding the NS1 protein

Publication Date: 2023.05.02 GEOVAX INC

AI summary

The compositions and methods are described for generating an immune response to a flavivirus such as Zika virus. The compositions and methods described herein relate to a modified vaccinia Ankara (MVA) vector encoding one or more viral antigens for generating a protective immune response to a member of genus Flavivirus (such as a member of species Zika virus), in the subject to which the vector is administered. The compositions and methods of the present invention are useful both prophylactically and therapeutically and may be used to prevent and/or treat an infection caused by Flavivirus.